Sox Win Game One: Lester Throws Gem; Sox bats Hot; Cards Help With Three Errors

Well, this Game 1 was not as close as the Game 1 against the Cards was in 2004. That one ended with a Sox win, 11-9.  Tonight, there was a bit more margin, 8-1, Sox. In fact, it was eight zip, Sox until Dempster allowed a solo shot by Holliday in the 9th. Lester was awesome, allowing just five scattered hits and a walk in 7 2/3 innings, for a game WHIP of 0.78, while allowing no runs.
Meanwhile, the Hose were accumulating runs from the 1st inning on. They picked up a quick trey when a Sox double play grounder instead was muffed by the Cards SS, leaving the bases loaded for Nap to come and try to beak on top. The umps had at first ruled that the Sox runner going to 2d was out and that the Cards fielder had dropped the ball trying to do the relay throw to finish out the DP. However, after what seemed like a dozen video replays of the play, followed by a discussion among all umpires working the game, the call was reversed and the Sox had bases loaded with just one out. It then took a swing by Nap to empty the bases even faster than they'd been filled, and give the Sox a three zip lead in the 1st.
As the game progressed, the Sox good fortune continued. In their half of the 2d, Drew hit a high infield pop that the Cards hurler, Wainwright, called for. However, their catcher, Molina, ran out to try for it and both guys backed off and it fell untouched not quite halfway to the mound for a hit. Shortly after, Pedey drove in a run, and Papi brought in the 5th Sox run on a sacfly to the deepest part of right field that was caugfht by Cards right fielder Beltran as he smashed into the low bullpen wall. He later left the game due to severe bruising of his ribs and was taken to the hospital for A-rays and examination. As for Papi, he later got a pair of hits, the second of these being his 16th career HR in the post-season for another pair of runs.
As for the Sox symbol of the year, the beard, in addition to all of the players wearing beards, many fans had costume versions of all shapes and sizes, including a few worn by women that were shocking pink.
Lackey goes tomorrow against Cards wonder boy Wacha.