Sox Having A Dickens of A Time: Peter

It was the worst of games, it was the best of games. If that sounds like the start of 'A Tale of Two Cities', you're right--and very literary! After yesterday's heartbreaking loss (once again triggered by Bengie Molina--and a cycle to boot?), the Hose came back today and rose to the occasion by besting perhaps the best pitcher in the Bigs (Sorry, CC, it isn't you!), tying on Yooouuk's two-bagger in the bottom of the 9th, and then winning on a Yooouuk sacfly in the 11th. Yooouuuk drove in two of the Sox three runs, while the other run was plated by Big Papi.

Pitching was also good for the Sox. Lackey finally pitched like the Fenmen had hoped when they acquired him, holding the Rangers to a pair of runs over seven innings, giving up just seven hits and a pair of free passes. He also K'd three batters. The Sox relief was even better. Starting with Bard and his triple digit heater, the Hose allowed no hits and no runs over four innings. In fact, only Bard's lone BB spoiled perfection for this part of the game. Total pen pitch count: 38 for the four innings, which, if carried out for a full game is only 85 pitches! Not much shy of incredible in this day and age! After Bard, whose heater was poetry in motion, The Laser came on and it was three up and down--in two consecutive innings. Finally, Manny finished things off and got the 'W'. This is the way things are supposed to be!
Added to this are the following encouraging signs from the hospital ward: JB went four the other day, and struck out a like number. He's going to do at least one more rehab and then come back to the parent club. The Dustman is looking as if he'll be back in early August, and Martinez finally was able to get his hand with the broken thumb comfortably into a glove. If that's not enough, Hermida's ribs have healed to the point that he went 2-4 with a double in his first rehab game, and early signs are that Jake may not be too far behind.
With today's win, Sox pick up a game on Mr. Hankie's Yankees in the division race.