Papi, Pedey Lead Sox 2d Straight W Against Stripes

Well, beginning early by building a four zip lead in the Bronx, punctuated by Papi's 19th Shot, the Sox took their second in a row from the Stripes tonight.  Papi's drive, more of a moon launch, which landed thirty odd rows deep in the cheaps was the true definition of a no-doubter. When it left the bat, the only question was how deep into the cheaps it would land.  For you stats freaks, it was not only the nineteenth of the season for the big man, it is also the 450th of his career, which places him 37th all time.  Not too shabby at all.  The Stripes briefly drew close a few innings later when, already having scored one run thanks to an error and some solid base running by Ichiro, they fired off a small artillery salvo, getting a pair of solo shots in their half of the 4th, complements of Tex and Beltran.  The score was now close, Sox 4-3. Not to worry. The Sox responded by adding a three spot to expand to 7-3 midway through the 5th. After a few more innings of trading runs, the ultimate score of 8-5 was reached and the Sox pen turned out the lights.

Keeping Lack's lead in hand at all times, thus giving him his ninth W for the year, four pen members covered the final four innings allowing a collective three hits, a lone free pass and no runs, while tacking on four K's. Miller struck out the side, and Koji did his usual slam the door, throw the lock and threw away the key on any NY hopes. He got countryman Ichiro on a K, and finished by getting the always dangerous Gardner on a weak grounder to Pedey who tossed to Nap at first, and that was the ball game.

Interesting news for the team: first announced last evening after that game, the Sox brought up Mookie Betts from Pawtucket. He plays infield and outfield, has speed to burn and just hits the cover off the ball in terms of hits and BA.  He's also a damn good fielder, even though his outfield experience is very limited. First evening up and he went 1-3 with a freebie and a run scored. Welcome to the Fens, Mookie! May you prosper and help the Sox thrive. Oh, by the way; should you ask, he is not, thank God, named for the Sox nemesis of the 86 Series, Mookie. Rather, he is named for the former NBA (Atlanta Hawks) roundball player, Mookie Blaylock.
Overall tonight, Pedey is looking like he's healthy again, going 3-3 and getting a sacfly and three ribbies.  Defensively, Pedey made his usual assortment of stunning plays around the keystone sack and out in the deeper reaches of the field, Jackie Bradley, Jr. made an absolutely stunning throw home to nail Beltran trying to score on a single from second. Jackie threw an absolute strike on the fly directly to the center of home plate and into Pierzynski's mitt, and the ball was waiting for Beltran's arrival. This heave took the starch out of what could have been a serious Stripes rally. According to Kruk up in the booth, the throw was his ninth outfield assist of the year, and leads the league in outfield assists. Shades of Yaz!  It's almost like having a professional sniper out in center.