From the Left Coast

Well, after the partial debacle with the Stripes (at least we got game 2) and the A-Fraud bullshit (going back and hitting A-Fraud was, in my opinion a very stupid mistake--I mean, I understand how a cheat using or hiding the system that promotes and provides PED's should not be playing, but once you got your message our there --the first pitch behind A-F-- your message sending should be over.), and the subsequent blowing of a three run lead, the Sox came west to the area where those of you who follow this site know is the home of this native born Bostonian to play the Giants, or as the Spanish jerseys they sometimes wear proclaim, Los Gigantes. One thing about this and two or three other September series is that whoever the idiot is that created the schedule, has the Sox, in the middle of a pennant race, playing in a NL park where they can't use a DH. So Papi has to play first base or miss a number of games. Last night he played first, but don't know which or how many others he'll do similarly in.
This time Lester was facing the homies and was the Lester, more or less, we like to see. He went 8 1/3 shutout innings, allowing just a half dozen hits, the final two in the 9th inning before leaving the mound.  He allowed just a pair of freebies and none of the hits were for extra bases. Although he only picked up three K's, he was clearly in control most of the evening. Jenn's sister was in attendance at the ball yard and keeping me up to date from her point of view with a variety of texted messages and pics. Some of the comments in the texts were choice as well. Early on, when the Sox put a trey on the board in the 2d, one from a balk by Lincecum, Sara's comment was, "what an idiot the pitcher is!" And I know Sara hasn't seen that many balks in her 30+ years.
Sox heroes, beside Lester's effort, included 3/4 nights by both Vic and Nava, as well as the Dustman's trip. Salty picked up his 34th double of the year, a number that leaves him in fourth place in the AL for that stat.
Today the Hose are throwing Jake Peavy against Vogelsong, and here's hoping we get the Peavy who pitched his first game for the Sox, not the subsequent pair.
Off the field, the Hose called up their number one prospect, an infielder named Xander Bogaerts. He's the third youngest in MLB now, and a native of Aruba, so he has Dutch citizenship. He may start tonight, but Farrell has said he'll be used to spell Drew and Middlebrooks, so as not to rush him into development. But, his minors play so far this year has been both good for average and power as he has 15 HR's and 67 ribbies in 116 games split between AA and AAA ball. The bad news is that it looks as if Bucky is done for the year. The Sox put him on the 60 day DL, and with just 35 games left in the season, that's kind of it for the year. Too bad--his early start was looking like a thing of beauty, pitching wise.
Tomorrow I've got tix next to the Sox dugout for the series finale.