One Swing of the Bat!: Peter

Jenn, I could write about quite a few things on last nite's game with the Jays, but I'm limiting myself mainly to two. I'll briefly mention others, but this piece will center on the ending of the game and the recent apparent return to past levels of quality of Papelbon.
First, the end of the game. After a game in which our heroes had built a 4-1 lead early on, only to have Lyle Overbay, he of the seven ribbies the night before, tie it on one swing of the bat, we drifted agonizingly into extra innings. Nothing seemed to work at ending the game with a 'W'. Finally, in the 11th, Jed Lowrie came to the plate to lead off the inning. As with Overbay's tying shot for the Jays earlier, he took one swing of the bat and it was walkoff time--Sox bullpen, game over! This guy typifies the Sox injury/DL issues of the year. Tabbed over a year ago as the Sox shortstop of the future, he'd been on the DL incessantly for most of last season and this, only recently coming off the list long enough to play. The only reason he's been playing regularly, lots of talent aside, is that the SS the Sox picked up in his absence, Scutaro, has been doing an excellent job, and second base is held by the Dustman--until he broke his foot. So Lowrie played 2d, and, yesterday, for just the third time in his career, first base as a late inning replacement. Showing his inexperience there, he had a shot at an inning ending catch of a foul pop in the top of the 11th, overran it and then dropped it--E3. This required Pap to labor a couple of pitches longer, but more on that later. After the inning ended on a Laser K, who came to the plate? Lowrie! He wasted no time on making amends--and ending the game. One swing of the bat--bullpen--GAME OVER!(I think I said that somewhere previously, but it was dramatic enough to warrant a repeat here).
Now, Papelbon. This year, The Laser has been somewhat less than his prior years, although it is very hard to quarrel with thirty saves and counting at any time. Nevertheless, Pap's had more Blown Saves than in any prior year, and just hasn't always seemed to have his legendary command. This has led to a few stories or rumors (hopefully that's all they are) that the Sox may deal him shortly. Well, as Remdog correctly pointed out early in last evening's appearance by the closer, in recent outings, he seems to have upped his velocity and command noticeably with very positive results. A few games ago, against the Halos, it was three up, three down--all K's for Pap. Last night, it was three up and down as well, with a K for the finis, and most of the fire showing 97 or more on the gun. If he really has rediscovered his awesome power and command, it's a great omen for the balance of the year and beyond. All I can say is, "Welcome back!"
Other briefly notable items from the game were both V-Mart's and Scoot's three hits apiece and Bard's usual strong effort for the team in relief.