Getting Closer

Well, after a heartbreaking loss to the Tribe last night after taking a lead into the 8th, the Hose made up for it a bit tonight. Led by some more excellent pitching, both starting and pen, and supported by some timely hitting and baserunning, the Hose won against the team that currently has the best record in baseball. After the Indians took an early one zip lead over JB and the Sox, the Hub Heroes quickly struck back with a pair in the very next inning to go up 2-1 and grab a lead that they never relinquished. Both Crawford and Jake reached base, stole second and then scored on some bat work by, first Lowrie, sacfly, and then Gonzo, a solid two-bagger.Things remained this way with both starters stifling any offense until the Sox half of the 7th inning. At that point, Tek came to bat with Papi on second after a solid double. Wasting no time, the Captain unloaded on the first pitch he saw, dropping it into the cheap seats in right, 4-1, Sox. From there on, it was basically mop-up, with The Laser closing the door for his 9th save on the season. He wasn't perfect, but other than a 2-2 count home run to Travis Buck, he was more than good enough, and the Sox prevailed, 4-2.
Hill took the ball from JB in the 7th with two already gone and allowed just a single freebie over 1 1/3 innings, after which Pap came on and closed the door on any Indians hopes of another late game comeback, something they've done more often than anyone else in MLB this year. Big Papi was 2-4, both doubles and the Sox track squad continued to gain notice with Jake upping his league leading steals total to 16 and Crawford getting his 7th swipe. Add in the Dustman's existing total of 9 on the year and it's starting to look like a track meet.
Speaking of Dusty, his injury from baserunning last night, which indirectly was as much to blame for the Sox ultimate loss as the failure of Bard to hold a lead, didn't play tonight, and is listed as day-to-day. Hopefully, that's all it is and he'll be back in the lineup soon. With two starters on the DL, adding top position players is not a path I particularly want to see the Sox forced to follow. A repeat of last year is something no-one (unless you're a Stripes fan) wants to even think about, much less see.