Happy Birthday!
Well, the Sox so far this season have done almost everything they can to upset Red Sox Nation. It's clear that the post-season is not in this year's future, but they have definitely set the foundation to return to it in the very near future--possibly as early as 2013. In the meantime, the only thing they have left to short for is avoid the cellar, which they can do in part by achieving their other opportunity--torpedoing the Yankees' post season goals, the first of which in the Division title. Starting last night on Jake's birthday, they took a solid step in that direction. In what was a classic of Red Sox late inning rebound and counterattack on Mr. Hankie's Yankees, they came back from a pair of one run deficits and, on Jake's fourth hit of the evening, grabbed the W in a walk-off. Lester pitched marginally well as the starter, but gave up way too many freebies. As a result, the Stripes took the early lead and had far too many baserunners to make this Hose fan comfortable. Fortunately, the pen held them at bay, finished by Bailey's win at the end including a K of A-Fraud. Going into the 9th the Sox were knotted at 3, the tie coming thanks to Dusty's retort to a 2 run two bagger the half inning earlier by Jeter. Taking a solid swing, the Dustman drove the ball on a line into the first row of Monster seats. You could see him saying, "get up", as he rounded first, hoping that it would clear the wall and not just ricochet off of it. Prayer answered and his 15th of the year became a fan souvenir. After failing to score in the 8th where they started loading the bases on a couple of consecutive bunt singles and a blooper with just one out, they wasted no time in their half of the 9th. With Ciriaco on 2d, Jake wasted no time and sent a hard single into right field. Running on contact Ciricao headed for the plate and with a perfect slide, just beat an excellent throw from Ichiro. Sox score, Sox WIN. Game OVER!
In addition to Jake's birthday show, Pedey had three hits, the HR among them, to help move the Sox past the Stripes. Tazawa continued his season long show of quality from the pen.