Doubleheader--Good & Bad: Peter

Well, because of yesterday's rainout, we got a day-nite 2blheader today with the M's. First game had JB starting and for 6 13 innings he was the JB we've come to expect in the best times. Only allowing a leadoff single by Ichiro at the start, he was unhittable while the Hose were building a four zip lead,. Then, one out into the 7th, suddenly he was Joe Anybody. Throw a ball, watch it sail--out of the yard in two cases and now it's 4-3 and time for a shower.Bard came in and shut down everyone through the end of the 8th while the Hose added a run, and then The Laser came on and slammed the door. Perfect 9th-his 32d save, but much more important, more evidence to the idea I wrote about here a day or two ago--the 'old' and best model Pap is back. He admits he's regained confidence in his splitter and feels very comfortable using it at random to keep the hitters totally off balance. Today's appearance was his fifth since blowing a save and losing to Toronto a couple of weeks ago. It also marked the fifth straight he's had without a run, during which streak he's allowed a total of one hit--just a single single. Basically, he appears back to the Pap of '07/'08--nearly unhittable. If we can get a reasonable healthy team on the field with some consistency, the timing of his return could be perfect!

Now, the nitecap--Sox faced a young kid who's looking good and likely to get better. Felix Hernandez, though only 10-10 has a 2.47 ERA, second in the AL to our own Bucky. He went seven, picked up nine K's against a single walk, and allowed only four hits. That kind of pitching will end anyone's winning streak and so it was for the Hose tonight. Wake, called in to pitch on short notice, did a creditable job,but against the stuff Hernandez was tossing, 'creditable' isn't going to cut it--not now, not never, and that's NOT a slap at Wake. It's just a fact of life no matter who's on the losing end in a case like this. Wake was starting as Lester, the scheduled guy, was pushed back to open this weekend's series against the Rays in Tampa, after he was pushed there due to the scheduled starter for that game, Dice, came down with a sore lower back. That series can be the final make or break for the Sox for this year. Sweep (and they almost have to) and they're just 2 1/2 behind and poised to really challenge for the post season. Don't and....well, not worth stating the obvious.