Many Apologies--and a Win!

Well, for the faithful among you out there, you know that I've been very bad of late. Haven't kept up with the runs by the Hose--although as they went through series' with San Diego, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and so on, it looks more like runs IN the Hose than by them. True, they weren't blown out by anyone and in at least a few of these games, the Hose just hadn't gotten the timely hit even though outhitting the opposition, and against the Phils, in the first game of that series, Lee was almost untouchable. But a loss is still a big L. The predictable result of all of this, of course, is that our heroes are now 2.5 games astern of the Stripes. In fact, until yesterday, even the Rays were getting very close. However, the Sox finished off their series in the City of Brotherly Love with a win (Lester was masterful!) and moved further to the southwest, specifically Houston. Should be easy, right.
Well, at least for the first batter of the game, it was. Scut led off the game by depositing the horsehide sphere in the cheaps and it was one zip, Sox. The rout was on, right? N o t S o F a s t... The Stros quickly tied it up and after another inning, it was 3-1, Stros. If that weren't bad enough, this was a night when Wake was not on at all. When he left, he'd allowed 11 hits in five and a third, K'd none and was trailing five - one. Not looking good at all for the Sox. However, in the top of the 7th, Sox lightning struck--quickly and decisively. Eleven Hose went to the plat, six got hits (a pair of doubles included) and the Sox had six big runs to take the lead for good. Gonzo's double drove in two of those, lifting his MLB leading ribbie total to 73. Jake didn't play tonight, getting replaced for the evening by Reddick. Now, it likely won't last for the season, maybe not even through July, but here is a guy who is literally hitting the cover off the ball. It's July 1 and with tonight's two hits, he's now batting .450. That's right, four fifty! I'm not going to get excited just yet. Yes, I've always included seeing someone hit .400 for a season in my all-time wish goals, but the best I've done on this one is three or four "come closes", starting with Teddy Ballgame's '57 season, when at 38 years old, he missed his second .400 year by five hits! Ended up at .388. That would be spectacular at any age, but at 38? Classic Ted. There've also been Carew (.388),Brett (.390) and Tony Gwynn (.394). In fact, had there not been a strike late that season, Gwynn was looking more and more likely every day to finish over .400. Not to be, unfortunately. (For those of you who are really curious as to what other all-time wanna see goals I have: they are: breaking DiMag's hit streak (closest was Rose at 44 games);a pitcher wining 30 games in a season (done in '68 by Denny McLain);breaking Ruth's homer records (done by Maris w/61 & later exceeded by others; and career done by Aaron with 756 and later exceeded by others);breaking Cobb's stolen base season and career steals marks (beaten by a number and now both held by Henderson);Hack Wilson's season ribbie mark of 191 (and in a 154 game season, yet)(no-one even close) and, on a slightly lower plane, Earl Webb's doubles in a season mark of 67 (also in a 154 game season & also no-one really close).
Anyway, it'll be an interesting sidelight to the Sox season to watch Reddick from now through late September. The last one to get there was 70 years ago--Teddy Ballgame. Must have been a hell of a season--it's the same year that DiMaggio got his 56 game hit streak.
Oh, almost forgot--tonight's game. So, Wake was not very effective. But the pen was exactly what you want in a pen. After Wake headed for the showers, the pen allowed no runs--nada! In fact, in the remaining 3 2/3 innings, collectively they allowed just a total of two hits, with Morales and Bard being perfect. As always, The Laser closed the door and netting his 16th save.

It'll be good for the Sox to finish up with this inter-league nonsense so they can get their usual lineup back on the field. Big Papi won't have to be just a pinch hitter.