After last night's abortion (9-1 loss compounded by THREE errors!), tonight was just what the doctor ordered! After allowing a solo early inning shot, the Diceman only allowed four more hits over eight innings, faced a max of four batters in any inning, struck out six against just a pair of walks, and had a game WHIP of 0.875! He definitely has returned to his 2008 form and just in time. It appears that his last outing was an aberration on his return from the DL, and he now is 8-3 on his abbreviated season. He could be key, along with JB and the rest of the staff in a run to the post season. As he acknowledged after the win tonight, the Sox have to play all of these like it's a desperation game. Offensively, Beltre took care of things, hitting his eighth Slam (first since 2006) and continuing his run through Cleveland pitching. JD provided a pair of insurance runs in the 8th, but they weren't needed once The Laser came in to quell a potential Tribe uprising in the 9th. He faced three batters, sandwiching a pair of K's around a free pass, and slammed the door on the Indians' plans.
This continuing return to form of the Hose mound staff is badly needed good news as the team learned today that Yooouuuk is now lost for the season due to necessary surgery to repair muscle damage in his thumb. It's like the hits just keep on coming! Get Jake and Lowell back, lose Yooouuuk. I'm almost afraid to look at a game for fear that I'll see another casualty. The Dustman still has pain running and may not be back until September, and Tek is also still gone for at least a few more weeks. Don't we have some kind of manufacturer warranty against these things happening?
Tomorrow a really tough ten game road trip starts in NY against Mr. Hankie's Yankees (four games) , followed by three apiece against the Jays and Rangers. Could make or break the rest of the season. Stay tuned kiddies for a real interesting ride!
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