Well, the last couple of days the Sox had a streak end and another begin and end. The former is their all sports record number of consecutive sellouts. Including playoffs, the Hose ran their "sorry, no seats available" streak to 820 consecutive games, the finale being Opening Day at the Fens. It covered quite a few years, starting with a W by Pedro against the Tribe. At least the final game was also a W, this one vs the O's. The next two games are best forgotten, especially the first of them. After battling back and forth into the 9th, and having the front end of the pen produce some outstanding innings, the Hose entered the 9th up 5-3. On comes the nominal new closer for the Sox, Hanrahan, he late of the Pirates. Already holding a pair of saves so far, he immediately gives up a shot to the cheaps by Chris Davis, the AL's leading HR hitter so far--5-4. Hmmm. Next two batters end up on base complements of a couple of freebies, one a 4-pitch. Next guy gets on, but soon after there are only two on--because a wild pitch has tied the game. Next guy comes up and plants one in the Monster seats, O's 8-5, which quickly becomes the final. Following day, a close, well fought low scoring game ends up going to the O's as well, 3-2. Overall, however, the Sox staff is looking pretty good. Even in Hanrahan's meltdown, he could have been out of the inning but for a couple of close calls on Balls & strikes by the ump. Even the guys on ESPN were saying that the final pitch on one walk should have been the inning ending 3d strike.
Which brings us to today (last night was rained out and will be played as part of a doubleheader in June) against the Rays. Lester vs Shields. Starts out and goes through seven as a classic 1-1 pitcher's duel. Sox tied it at one on Ross' solo shot. The game then goes on and on, running through both teams' pens with no scoring through the end of the top of the 10th. Sox half, with one out, Jake singles and then steals 2d, after which he keeps on going to 3d when the throw to 2d not only doesn't get him,, but rolls into short right. Next man up, new Sox member Victorino gets an infield single. If it's anyone but Jake, the runner stays on 3d on an infield hit. Not Jake. He's gone on the crack of the bat and crosses home with room to spare. Sox win, 2-1, Tazawa getting the W. Once again, the Hose staff of moundsmen are terrific (except Hanrahan)! Bailey, Uehara and Tazawa all pitch scoreless ball, two of them being perfect. Only Hanrahan is non so hot. He faces a pair of batters, walks them both and is gone before things get too far out of hand. The only other baserunner from the Sox pen is a leadoff 10th inning double off of Tazawa. He rears up and simply leaves the guy standing there, closing down the next three O's hitters-zip, Zip, ZIP! Game over. Tomorrow's is live on ESPN.
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