Two Basic Facts

Everyone who follows baseball knows how important and exciting it is to see a pitcher overpower the opposing team's lineup or a bunch of hard hit balls rocketing over the fence. But there are times when that doesn't always happen and then the difference between winning and losing comes down to two things: solid untouchable pitching and timely hitting. Yesterday, the Sox found themselves in a tight pitcher's duel, and needed both. The Sox starter, Lester, after giving up a 1st inning run and four innings later receiving only a single tying score, found himself in such a situation. So, continuing his recent return to the top of his game, Lester did what he had to in order to give the Sox a chance at a win.  He went a total of seven innings of six hit ball, allowing just the original run, and a single free pass. His game WHIP was a very good 1.00, and he turned the game over to the Hose pen. From there both Tazawa and Uehara threw shutout ball, one inning apiece. Uehara, in gaining his second W in a few days, finished everything off with only a freebie against him, while his predecessor was perfect while striking out the side. Offensively, it seemed that no-one could manage the one timely hit to put the game away, no matter the situation. The Dustman and Carp each had a pair, including Dusty's 23d double of the year, but the score stayed stuck at 1--until the bottom of the 9th. At that point Gomes entered the game as a pinch hitter to lead off the inning. He wasted no time and ended things right there. Pads closer Gregerson threw the ball and Gomes sent it on a one way trip out of the Fens. Walkoff--Game Over--Sox win 2-1! The W left the team at its season high 18 games over .500, and still holding a 3.5 game margin over the Birds.