Eating Innings & Timely Hitting: Peter

One adage (of the many) about this game is that you need your pitchers to regularly go deep into games, thus avoiding overworking your pen. At the same time, you need timely hitting so you can take full advantage of those innings your starters are eating up. Well, Jenn, tonight we got both. Lackey, in winning his fifth in a row to get to 9-3 on the year, went a solid seven and allowed just a single run on a well scattered eight hits. Then, when Oki started giving back runs in his 2/3 of an inning (as did Atch), Bard, Richardson (recently arrived in the Fens)and Pap took control and closed out the Rays to preserve the win. They were able to do so because they were rested due to the starters going deep.
Offensively, we're already into the 5th in a scoreless pitching duel when Papi comes to the plate with a pair of runners on. The Rays' manager visits Shields on the mound and lets him decide who he'd rather pitch to, Papi or Yoouuk. He picks Papi, thinking he'll just show him his heater to prove he's the better man (even though Papi is .393 career with HR's against Shields and Youk is below the Mendoza line for his career against Shields). Give Shields credit--he did have the balls to show the heater to Papi. He also was able to watch it as it sailed by overhead on the way to the cheaps where it established a three zip Sox lead. He says, after the fact, he didn't mean to throw it where he did. Well, DUHhhhh. Never heard a pitcher who did mean to "throw it there".
Offensively, beside Papi's 17th Beltre went 4-4 with a pair of doubles, and Hall turned on one in the 7th with a man on to add another pair to the Sox total.

Covering for the injured, and also showing how well the team has come together in the face of adversity, Tek handled the catching duties flawlessly while V-Mart began his stint on the DL. Speaking of Martinez & the DL, the Sox called up another catcher from the Pawsox, someone named Molina. Could it be another member of THE catching Molina family? My God, were these guys born wearing pads and carrying an oversized glove? It's probably in the genes. Sox also announced the Dustman could be out as many as six weeks with his broken foot. Hope he heals quickly.
There is one unexpected benefit from all of these Pawsox callups in the wake of the injuries, Jenn. The Sox minor leaguers are getting an unexpected solid dose of MLB experience that will serve them well when they make the move for good. Also, it makes them better trade material should the Hose go on the market later in the pennant race for help in the final run to October. Every cloud has a silver lining. Can we say Cliff Lee? Hell, Jenn, I can dream, can't I? But seriously, can you imagine how good the Sox should be when all of the wounded get back in the saddle?
We're now two games up on the Rays and just one behind Mr. Hankie's Yankees.