News--Good & Horrible!

Well, I confess. I haven't been keeping all of you out there up on the latest Sox results. That's because the effort so far this year was beginning to look quite a bit like 2011. True, we didn't go 0-6 like last year, as our first win came after only 0-3. But then we dropped the next pair, resulting in our arrival back in the Fens at 1-5, and firmly ensconced in last. Could it get worse? Oh, Yeah! Really worse! If what happened today is any omen, I think I'll start waiting for the Pats this fall, followed by the 2013 Sox. I know it's only the 7th game in, and we did win. Actually, in the box score, it looks great! Sox 12, Rays 2. JB pitched not only much better than last week; he looked like the JB we've come to expect, allowing just a single run in 8 innings; five hits and a single freebie. Game WHIP was 0.75. So why am I sounding like the voice of doom? Well, in 2010, the Sox were expected to be a sure thing to make the playoffs, possibly win another Series. Until they hit an unbelievable string of injuries. Last year, they had many more injuries, although not quite as many as '10. Nevertheless, what they had didn't help the Sox as they missed the post-season for the second consec year. Believe me, the injuries had more to do with the results than off day chicken and beer that the writers were BS'ing about!
Anyway, here we are in 2012 minus a couple of starters due to major arm problems/surgery and back surgery, and in the 4th inning today, things took a decidedly drastic turn south. After getting his second hit of the game, Jake was on first and sped to second trying to break up a DP on Dusty's grounder. The Rays second sacker stepped on the bag, forcing Jake and then, in trying (successfully) to finish the DP, fell on Jake's arm, injuring it badly enough that the Hose centerfielder had to leave the game, obviously in pain, holding his arm with his other hand. No diagnosis yet, but it didn't look good. If you recall 2010, after an early season collision in center, he missed almost all of the rest of the season.
Keep your fingers crossed. This is one guy the Sox can't afford to lose.
On the positive side, by winning today, the Sox maintained their streak of victorious home openers, the longest in MLB at the present time.Also, although JB only got one K, his string of games with at least one K since he began his MLB career is now 281, second in MLB history only to Dwight Gooden's at 349.
Besides Jake, Gonzo, Yooouukk, Papi and Shoppach all had multi-hit games, with Sweeney, Papi and Shoppach each getting a pair of ribbies and Yoouukk getting a trey.
One other thing--if you see things differently, or have a comment you want to add, DON'T BE SHY! Write it up and submit. That's what the little pencil icon at the bottom is for. After all, we're Red Sox Nation; let's have some give and take here!