Sox 10 (Jake 6), Stripes 4

I know I've been recalcitrant over the past several days--splitting with the Tribe; Stripes moving closer and finally tying in first, but now they're HERE (Fenway) and last night's game was a heartbreaker. Lester had a two zip lead going into the 7th and then gave up a three spot to the Stripes, who made it stand up for a 3-2 win and sole ownership of first--even though the Hose got almost twice as many hits. They had their chance to break the game open and unfortunately, Gonzo K'd with the bases loaded. OK< so fast forward to today's afternoon get together at the Fens. Mr. Hankies Yankees led today by arguably one of the two major Cy contenders for the year, Carsten Charles (if those were your first two names, you'd go by 'CC' too) Sabathia against Lackey, who, while looking much better since the All Star break, still has an ERA over 6. Not looking great, but then, CC's lost his previous three against the Hose this year. So, Sox take an early two zip lead, only to have the Stripes tie it in the 4th. However, by then the headline above was already beginning to be written. Jake had one of those career days--everything goes right and you look like the classic world beater. He'd driven in the Sox first run on a sac fly, but it was just the beginning.With the score still close in the home 4th after the Sox had picked up a pair, and another pair on base, Crawford among them (more on that later), Jake launched one deep into the right field seats on a 2-0 count and suddenly, the Hose had a bit of breathing room, 7-2. Now Jake's got a quad of ribbies for the game and 19 HR's on the year. Not bad--but not finished--not by a long shot! Mr. Hankie's Yankees crept stealthily closer-- a single run in the 5th, bolstered later by a solo shot from Texeira in the 8th off Bard on a ball that took a small miracle to get any serious wood on. The Bard was shooting literal rockets over the plat in the high 90's and, in a few cases, into triple digits, and this pitch was across the inside corner on Texeira's wrists--nice and tight. It would normally be a feat just to get a tiny bit of bat handle on it. The NY first sacker did more than that, however. Somehow in a fraction of a second, pulled his wrists in closer to his body and then swung, getting most of it and streaking it into the cheaps. Understandably, if you know me at all, I'm starting to get a little nervous. Yes, we're still up, 7-4, but the Stripes are now well inside that 'one swing of the bat can tie (or lead) zone of under five runs' margin. Worse, there's only one out in their 8th and they still have the whole 9th to go. This, I'm worriedly thinking, is far from over. Shame on me. I should have checked the box score to that point and the Sox 8th batting order. Bard closed out the 8th with no further damage and then the fun began in the Hose' half. Reddick, Crawford and Salty reached base on a pair of singles and a full count walk. After Scoots popped out, Jake took his stance and--bang! A sharp single to center, scoring another deuce and moving Salty to third where The Dustman could get him home immediately thereafter via sac fly, boosting the score to a very comfortable 10-4. The Laser, who'd begun the inning warming up to enter in the top of the 9th was able to take his seat again and enjoy the finish as a spectator.
As for Jake, he had six ribbies on the day, his 19th HR and garnered a few more comments about looking like a legitimate MVP candidate if he continues his mode of play. My opinion is he's been spectacular, but the MVP, as of now, is still Gonzo's. Would be nice to see the Hose grab the top two places in the voting, though. Not sure if that's ever happened before, but I'll have to check.
I did mention above that Crawford also had quite a game. He had his best game since coming to the Fens--4 for 4, including a double, one RBI, a run scored and a steal.
All of this insured Lackey would win his 10th of the year and send CC to his 4th loss to the Hose on the season. He's 0-4 vs the guys from the Fens, and 16-2 against the rest of the world. While Lack now has double figures in W's, he still possesses an ERA over 6. In all of MLB history, right since the first pitch was ever thrown, there have only been two, that's right, just two pitchers finishing with winning records for a season in which they had 6 plus ERA's. One was in the 1930's named Wes Farrell and the other was in the 1990's, name escapes me for the moment. This is not a club you especially desire to belong to, but, HEY, it's better than having said 6Plus ERA and having a losing record. So, the Hose are tied for first again and can retake sole ownership with a 'W' tomorrow. Catch you tomorrow night.