Big Papi Home With A Vengeance!

Well, this past three games, the Sox visited Minnesota, the home of the Twinkies, and returned the favor of a sweep by the visiting team to the denizens of the Twin Cities. While the three W's were definitely whole team creations, the biggest contributor to the mayhem was none other than former Twins player (until 2003), Big Papi. Ever since the trade when the Twins let him get away to the Sox, he has taken it out on the AL Central team. His number with the Hose is that of former Twins HOF member, the late Kirby Puckett. But his heart, not to mention his bat, are all Red Sox! This visit allowed him to increase his B.A. to .364 and also had him picking up liberally in all offensive categories: homers and ribbies. In fact, when he drove a pair of balls into the cheaps in right center at the Twins' home, he took over the Red Sox franchise all time lead fro multi-homer games--more than Teddy Ballgame, more than the Babe, more than anyone else! Pretty heady company he's leading.
Not that the big man's teammates were slacking. The Dustman continued his hitting streak to eleven games, while raising his average to over .340. Jake added to his league leading steals and triples totals, Lackey picked up a heavily rain delayed win, and Nap continued to drive runs across. Also, some of the lower ends of the lineup showed strong signs of bringing their batting averages up to respectable levels, with Salty, Middlebrooks and Drew starting their respective long climbs to the higher reaches of the .200's from where they have hovered so far. If all of this weren't enough, the mound staff has also contributed. The team now has a pair of six-zip records in its starting rotation, three guys in the top ten in the league in K's, and a continuing strong pen. Uehara and Tazawa have been great in closing out games in the combined absence of the two Sox closers, Hanrahan (season over for Tommy John surgery) and Bailey (sore biceps; just off the DL today). All of this, led by Papi, has created the current five game winning streak, and moved the Hose back to within a half game of the Stripes for the Division lead.
Today, it's off to the Windy City, long time home of their opponent's broadcaster and famous Sox slugger Ken Harrelson--The Hawk!