JB's Back!!: Peter

Jenn, I hope you watch tonight's game against the Mariners. Yes, the Sox won and that's ALWAYS good. The hitting was sufficient to win, and the pen was excellent. But the story tonight, it says here, was the return of Beckett. Out almost since the start of the season with back spasms and related issues, it's taken half of the season without one of our two aces to get here. The team has more or less held together at least well enough to stay within striking distance of the division lead and there's still just over two months to go, and some more games against Mr. Hankie's Yankees. Based on tonight's relatively brief showing, The rest of the season could be a most memorable one, assuming JB keeps on from here and the other walking (Those who can walk) wounded also make successful returns.
But tonight, for 5 2/3 innings, JB was the JB we've all come to expect and respect. In those innings, he gave up five scattered hits, a lone earned run and grabbed five K's. Though he also allowed three free passes, it looked more like he was just getting tuned in as he rolled on through the M's lineup. The heater was moving like it used to, and he was just....Beckett. Tonight's stint was a little expansion from his last rehab of four innings, and, I'd give you even money that Terry will give him at least six, maybe seven, innings next time around.
The effort wasn't wasted either. Atch came in to close out the 6th and then pitch the 7th and allowed a single BB--nothing else. He got the 'W' for his efforts. After that it was heater after heater lasering across the plate. First Bard threw all of eight pitches to get a perfect inning, including a pair of K's. Then The Laser showed up, atoned for last night's BS, and closed out the game adding another pair of K's to his record.
In addition to JB, the long missing Hermida, returned briefly to the lineup, pinch hitting for Hall in the 9th. He got a single and then was lifted for the Sox's latest speedster, Patterson. Another DL refugee, Lowrie, played his second game since his return, starting tonight at second and going 1-4. Looking encouraging.