It’s almost hard to believe that the Red Sox have just won another World Series. Four years ago, in 2003, it seemed like they would never get there or if they did, they would somehow manage to let it slip through their fingers- or roll between their legs. Yet somehow, Boston has won its second World Series since then, earning their second trophy tonight after a 4-3 win in Denver.

 

After being down 3-1 in the ALCS against the Indians, the Red Sox came surging back. In the last seven games, they have never trailed by more than one run. The Rockies did score in the first inning off Curt Schilling in game two, but Boston battled back- offensively with the help of Series MVP Mike Lowell (who scored the tying run and knocked in the winning run with an RBI double) and defensively with some stellar pitching from Schilling and young relievers Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon.

 

Although the Rockies managed to come within one run last night (with Matt Holliday hitting a three-run homerun off Okajima) and again tonight (with Garrett Atkins hitting a two-run homerun off… Okajima), it never felt like Colorado was really in the game.

 

The Red Sox struck early in game four with rookie Jacoby Ellsbury hitting a lead-off double and then scoring on a David Ortiz single, and it seemed like the series was over for Colorado (and believe me, as a Red Sox fan, I know perfectly well that a 3-0 series lead guarantees nothing). Rockies starter Aaron Cook did not even have that bad o####ame- in his first six innings, he allowed just two runs on five hits before Lowell homered to lead off the seventh.

 

Jon Lester had an excellent start for Boston, though, after nearly a month since his last start. He pitched five and two-thirds scoreless innings with just three hits and struck out three.

 

The only time it really felt like maybe there was going to be an exciting turn of events was in the bottom of the ninth when Jamey Carroll hit a high fly ball that took Manny Ramirez back to the wall. Ellsbury made the catch, though, and Papelbon struck out pinch hitter Seth Smith to end the game and earn himself a ring.

 

Although I think Lowell is deserving of the MVP trophy (and contributed both offensively and defensively in the series), Papelbon would be my pick as MVP. He earned three saves in this World Series through four complete scoreless innings. He allowed only two hits, struck out three, and walked none in those four innings. He also pitched a two-inning save in game seven of the ALCS to help the Sox get to the Fall Classic.

 

I’m glad that Lowell got some recognition for his contributions, though, and for his excellent October. In the last fourteen games, he’s had 18 hits, including 7 doubles and 2 home runs, for a .350 (18-51) average. He had 15 RBI and hit .400 in the World Series. I hope that the award is a sign that the Red Sox will do what they can to bring him back next year.

 

Alex Rodriguez managed to make an #### of himself twice during tonight’s game without even being there. His absence was tacky originally when he was not present to accept the Hank Aaron Award from Hammerin’ Hank himself before the game, along with NL winner Prince Fielder. It was even more tasteless when he and his agent, The Great Satan, chose to release the announcement that he will opt out of his contract with the Yankees during the seventh inning of the game. As Peter Gammons pointed out, it displayed a total lack of respect for the game of baseball.

 

I’m going on record right now, though, that if the Red Sox make a deal with him and his sleaze ball agent, I am washing my hands of them.

 

For now, though, I will enjoy this championship. Go Sox!

 

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

There was no offensive explosion, but the Boston Red Sox proved they still had the pitching they needed to get the job done in a close game, pulling off a 2-1 victory.

The Rockies actually struck first tonight with leadoff hitter Willy Taveras reaching after being hit by a pitch by Curt Schilling. In my honest opinion, Taveras was crowding the plate and it was his own damn fault he got hit, but either way, the damage was done. He advanced after NLCS MVP (and regular season MVP candidate) Matt Holliday singled down the third base line. Both runners ended up in scoring position after a throwing error by Mike Lowell, who didn’t seem to know whether it would be shortstop Julio Lugo or Schilling covering at third. Taveras then scored when Todd Helton grounded out to first.

 

The Rockies maintained their lead into the bottom of the fourth. The Sox went down in order in the first and did not even get their first hit until the fourth inning. J.D. Drew was hit by a pitch in the second, and the top of the lineup drew a pair of walks in the third, but the runners were all left stranded. Lowell scored Boston’s first run after taking a one-out walk in the fourth. Jason Varitek hit the sacrifice fly that scored Lowell and sent Drew to third.

 

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Colorado rookie Ubaldo Jimenez gave up a walk to David Ortiz. Never the speediest of runners, Ortiz has been slowed down lately by his knee injury. He advanced to second on a Manny Ramirez single. Lowell came through with a double to deep left field that gave Big Papi plenty of time to get home and score the go-ahead run. That RBI double was the end of Jimenez’s night, and Clint Hurdle handed the ball off to Jeremy Affeldt who quickly gave up a walk to Drew to load the bases. Affeldt was quickly replaced by Matt Herges who got the final out another long bottom of the fifth.

 

Curt Schilling did not last much longer when he gave up a single to Holliday and walked Helton with one out in the top of the sixth. Hideki Okajima was brought in to take care of business. It was pretty early for set-up work, but he kept things under control until it was Papelbon time. Through two and a third innings, he did not allow a single hit. He struck out four, including the final two batters he faced in the top of the eighth. With Holliday due up to bat and a slim 2-1 lead, Terry Francona opted to bring in closer Jonathan Papelbon. Holliday was already 3-3 on the night and wound up getting an infield single. Papelbon narrowly escaped getting hit by the ball. Dustin Pedroia was able to grab the ball and hold Holliday to a single but had no play at first. Papelbon and Pedroia were both lucky to avoid injury on the play, with Pedroia rolling on his wrist and Papelbon doing some kind of backwards somersault while diving out of the way. Papelbon ended up picking Holliday off at first to end the inning.

 

Helton, who was at the plate when Holliday was picked off, struck out when he led off in the top of the ninth. After Garrett Atkins lined out to centerfield, Papelbon struck Brad Hawpe out to deliver the save and a Game Two victory for the Red Sox.

 

Through the series so far, the Red Sox have held the Rockies to just two runs. Schilling, Okajima, and Papelbon combined tonight to allow only five hits and two walks with ten strikeouts.

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

Red Sox fans could not have asked for a nicer way to being the 2007 World Series. Josh Beckett struck out the first three Colorado batters he faced (even after falling behind Kazuo Matsui 3-0) in the first inning, and rookie Dustin Pedroia led off the bottom of the first with a homerun on the second pitch he saw. By the end of the inning, Boston was leading by three after four more hits in what would eventually be a 13-1 blowout win.

In the top of the second, Colorado narrowed the Boston lead to 3-1 when Garrett Atkins and Troy Tulowitzki hit a pair of doubles off Beckett. That was the closest the Rockies came to a rally, though, as they only hit four more hits off Beckett in the next five innings and none off relievers Mike Timlin and Eric Gagne in the final two. David Ortiz knocked in another run for Boston in the bottom of the second with an RBI double that scored Kevin Youkilis.

 

After Colorado starter Jeff Francis gave up a single, double, intentional walk, and ground rule double- all with two outs- that put Boston up 6-1 in the fourth inning, Clint Hurdle prepared to bring in Franklin Morales, who had been demoted to bullpen duty. After giving up a lead-off single, he had two outs and seemed to be in control before advancing the runner on a balk. He then proceeded to give up three doubles, two singles, and a walk before being pulled with the bases loaded and the Red Sox up by nine. Ryan Speier came in with three inherited runners and proceeded to walk in all three of them without recording the much needed out. Matt Herges finally got Kevin Youkilis- who had already doubled to drive in the first run of the inning- to fly out and end the inning (the bottom half of which lasted over half an hour).

 

In all, eleven of the Red Sox’ thirteen runs were scored with two outs. I’m not sure whether that says more about the Boston bats or the rustiness of the Rockies’ pitchers.

 

Everybody had great numbers tonight, with every Boston starter but Mike Lowell having at least one RBI. And Lowell went 1-3 with a double, two walks, and a run scored. Six different Sox had doubles, with Ortiz and Youk getting two each. It almost seems odd that they only had one homer. And even though they stranded a dozen base runners, they still scored thirteen runs on seventeen hits and eight walks.

 

Big blowouts make me nervous, but the Red Sox have been on such a roll since game five of the ALCS that I won’t lose too much sleep yet. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow night with rookie Ubaldo Jimenez facing off against Curt Schilling before this series heads out west to snowy Denver.

 

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

I've been sick for the last two weeks and been without my computer for a good chunk of that time. Still need to update my ALCS stuff...

 

.

For the, I think ten thousandth time since I started my new job, I missed the Red Sox game because I had to work. And, unlike Sunday, I couldn’t get away with keeping one eye on the game at work because I actually had to work pretty hard tonight. I was at least ten minutes behind the curve after the third inning.

I hope this game erased any doubts about whether or not Josh Beckett deserves to win the American League Cy Young award, though. I realize it is a regular season award, but Beckett’s ERA is barely a quarter of a run higher than the league leader, John Lackey (and six hundredths worse than C.C. Sabathia). His twenty regular-season wins also came in just thirty starts, fewer than any other pitcher with at least fifteen wins except for New York’s Chien-Ming Wang and Anaheim’s Kelvim Escobar (with nineteen and eighteen wins, respectively, in thirty starts).

It’s also worth noting (although maybe it wasn’t really worth the time to figure it out), Beckett’s twenty wins came against opponents with a combined record of 1070-1037. Sabathia’s nineteen wins, on the other hand, were against teams that combined for a record of 860-922.*

I’m not going to dog on C.C. Sabathia, because he is one of the best pitchers in the game today. …And he certainly had a pretty good outing against the Yankees last Thursday, which doesn’t hurt him in my book. Still, I think it’s hard to deny the talent Josh Beckett has. It’s pretty incredible when a two-run outing (Beckett left the game with a 10-2 lead in what would eventually be a 10-3 victory) actually raises your career postseason ERA from 1.74 to 1.87.

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

* - that’s counting each opponent only once.

After a long absence from blogging, I just discovered that I have the "Blog of the Day" here on the FOX Sports blog page. This is a sure sign that these things must be chosen at random or by some bizarre computer algorithm that is beyond human logic (I mean no disrespect to any previous Blogs of the Day). It’s somewhat comforting to know that a single paragraph pleading for a shred of decency in the comments can get me up there as the Blog of the Day, though. I guess I don’t need to spend thirty minutes or longer researching and writing. Of course, I’m sure it’s due to all the comments (which have all been in good taste since last night’s rant). So thanks to everybody who dropped in to read the ravings of the Prodigal Blogger.

I'm a big believer in free speech, and I'm a big girl who can handle criticism pretty well, so I have never deleted a comment from my blog before.

You can tell me that the Red Sox suck, you can tell me that my writing sucks, and, within the limits of public decency, you can tell me that I suck, but I'm not going to put up with any obscene insuls (to myself, Manny Ramirez, or anybody) on this blog. My grandmother reads this, guys.

So, again, if you have any criticism or complaints, bring it on. But if you can't think up an insult that is acceptable in civilized conversation, it's going to be deleted.

I am a bad, bad person. I can’t contain my glee at the Yankees’ elimination from the ALDS. I know it’s tacky and immature, and I should be so glad that the Red Sox won their series that the Yankees don’t matter. In my heart, I know I should take the high road. 

Still, after enduring the smugness of Yankee fans (especially one copy editor, in particular), I can’t help but smile at some of the numbers. New York’s pitching staff, which was paid over $76.5 million this year (and that’s not even counting rookie relievers Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes) pitched a total of 36 and two-thirds innings over four games and gave up twenty-four runs (all earned) for a series ERA of 5.89. That payroll is higher than Cleveland’s entire roster. The Indians pitching staff, on the other hand, went 37 innings and only allowed 14 earned runs through the four games of the series. 

The starting lineup did not fare much better. With a combined annual salary upwards of $105 million, you might expect an All-Star caliber performance. I’m sure George Steinbrenner did. The starting nine went 28-128 in four games for a .219 average. They had 14 RBI and struck out 25 times. Presumed MVP (and highest-paid player in baseball) Alex Rodriguez went 4-15 in the series (livening up after a 0-6 start) for a .267 average with 1 RBI. He struck out six times. Derek Jeter went 3-17 (.176) with one RBI, striking out four times.

Robinson Cano, who pulls in less than half a million dollars (the second lowest salary of starting players), had the best performance of the series. He went 5-15 (.333) with three RBI and three runs scored. Johnny Damon had one great night in New York’s lone victory of the division series. He went 3-4 with 4 RBI, including a three-run homer, Sunday night, but only had two hits (2-13) and one RBI in the rest of the series.  

That figure of $105 million, by the way, is counting Doug Mientkiewicz, who started three of the four games but only had a total of six at bats, as their first baseman. If Jason Giambi’s $23.4 million salary had been factored in the total instead of Mientkiewicz’s chintzy $1.5 million paycheck, the payroll would exceed $125 million (or the complete payroll of every other major league team besides the Red Sox). For his part, Giambi went 1-4 in his one start and two pinch hits of the series.

Cleveland, on the other hand, has the twenty-third highest (or eighth lowest, if you will) payroll in the league. At $61,289,667, they spend less than the Kansas City Royals. That’s a little more than A-Rod and Roger the #### combined.  

As George Steinbrenner reminded us all this weekend, Joe Torre is the highest paid manager, as well. Apparently, with that salary comes great responsibility, and losing in the division series three straight years (after losing in the ALCS in 2004, the World Series in 2003 and in 2001-to expansion teams- and the Division Series in 2002) doesn’t cut it.

And, yes, I know that the Red Sox have the second highest payroll right behind the Yankees. Still, there is a smug superiority and mercenary attitude about the Yankees (and their fans) that makes this so, so fun to watch.

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

Big Papi strikes again... and the Red Sox are going to the ALCS with a 9-1 win in game three of the Division Series against the Angels.

Although Anaheim starter Jered Weaver had held the Red Sox to just one hit through the first three innings, David Ortiz led off the fourth with a home run to put Boston on the board.

Not to be outdone, Manny Ramirez followed it up with a solo shot of his own.

Even though they were less than ten outs from elimination, the Angels kept themselves in the game up until the eighth inning when things started to spiral out of control. Julio Lugo drew a lead-off walk before Scot Shields was relieved by Justin Speier, who promptly served up a double to Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia, in turn, scored on a sac fly from Kevin Youkilis. Before Speier was relieved, he gave up another double (to Mike Lowell), a single (to David Ortiz), and a walk (to Manny Ramirez) without another out. Before Darren Oliver got Pedroia (in his second at bat of the inning) to ground into a fielder's choice for the third out, three more runs had scored on three consecutive hits, bringing Boston's lead to 9-0.

Eric Gagne, who took over for setup man Hideki Okajima in the ninth, spoiled Schilling's shut-out. Maicer Izturis, who had reached on a ground-rule double (and advanced on a wild pitch) scored on a sac fly. Even Gagne couldn't botch a nine-run ninth-inning lead, though, and retired Anaheim's final two batters of the season. With a 9-1 win, the Red Sox complete their sweep of the division series.

Now it's time to turn my attention to New York where Roger the #### is taking the mound in what could be Joe Torre's final game as the Yankees manager...

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

Yoooouuuuuuk!

PAPI!

Beckett!

Red Sox fans had a lot to be thankful for tonight. More than anything else, they've got to be grateful for nothing- as in the number of runs allowed by Josh Beckett, who continued his post-season dominance after having the past three Octobers off.

It seemed as if the Angels might be getting off to a good start when Chone Figgins led off the first inning with a single off Josh Beckett tonight. After giving up that first hit, though, Beckett went on to retire the next nineteen batters he faced in what would eventually be a four-hit, complete game shutout for Beckett and 4-0 victory for the Red Sox.

Boston did not get a leadoff hit in the bottom of the first inning, but Kevin Youkilis, batting second in the lineup, quickly put them on the board with a solo homerun. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez followed up with back-to-back singles but were left stranded.

In the third inning, Youkilis notched his second postseason hit with a double that bounced off the Monster. Ortiz didn't leave him standing out there long, though, hitting a homerun off the second pitch he saw.

Angels starter John Lackey appeared to struggle with control after that, walking Manny Ramirez and allowing him to advance on a wild pitch to Mike Lowell. The Red Sox picked up their final run of the game when Ramirez scored on a single by Lowell.

Lackey seemed to settle down after the third inning, but the damage was already done.

Beckett did not allow his second hit of the game until the seventh inning when Vladimir Guerrero singled off of him. All four Anaheim hits were singles, and Chone Figgins was the lone Angel to reach third base.

After his first twenty-win season, Beckett can add to his already impressive post-season resume. He lowered his ERA to 1.74 and recorded his third complete-game shut-out in just seven appearances.

It's only one game, but it's an awfully nice way to start things out.

One down, ten to go...  

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

Updating the backlog - from May 27:

I finally managed to wrest myself away from the office long enough for a baseball game, just in time to see the Boston Red Sox in their last game in Arlington this season (barring a miracle on the part of the last-place Rangers, at any rate). Fortunately, baseball is one of the few sports where, on a given day, you can match up the best team in the league against the worst and still have an interesting, competitive game, as was the case with Boston's 6-5 win over Texas today. That's probably most true when you're watching a duel of the #5 starters. Of course, Julian Tavarez is ostensibly not even the true fifth starter for Boston but is filling a spot left open by Matt Clement's prolonged stint on the disabled list.

The disparity in the two teams' starting pitching is rather large, otherwise. The Rangers rotation has the worst ERA for starters of any team in recorded history, while Boston can boast MVPs of two World Series and the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

When the Sox went up 3-0 in the top of the fourth, it looked like my father might be a baseball genius. Before the first pitch was thrown, he had set the over-under on Texas starter Kameron Loe at 3 1/3 innings. After starting the fourth with two consecutive singles to J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell, followed by a home run to Jason Varitek, Loe received a visit on the mound. Loe stayed in the game, however, and even outlasted Tavarez (by one out). He allowed only one more single (in the fourth) and retired the Sox in order in the next two innings before Joaquin Benoit relieved him in the seventh.

Tavarez, on the other hand, surrendered the lead in an ugly sixth inning. Kenny Lofton drew a lead-off walk, making him the Rangers' third baserunner since he led off the first with a single to left field. The other two had reached after being hit by a pitch and a fielding error. Tavarez followed up Lofton's walk with a single to Michael Young and a home run to Mark Teixeira, nearly copying the Red Sox pattern of three-runs in, no outs from earlier. Tavarez did not have quite the same luck ending the inning as Loe had and, after Sammy Sosa grounded out, allowed three consecutive base hits that drove in the go-ahead run for Texas. J.C. Romero was brought in to get the final out.

 With a one-run lead in the eighth inning, Ron Washington brought in his set-up man Akinori Otsuka. Prior to today's game, Otsuka had only allowed two earned runs this season. He doubled that total, however, blowing the save and getting tagged with the eventual loss. Kevin Youkilis led off the inning with a single, and despite striking out Manny Ramirez, Otsuka gave up two more hits to Drew and Lowell, surrendering the lead. During the inning, David Ortiz, who had been resting a sore hamstring, could be seen up in the dug out, talking to Terry Francona (even from club-level seats near the right-field foul pole, Papi has a distinctive presence) and picking up a bat. Youkilis was batting in his usual third spot in the lineup that day, but he appeared ready to pinch hit if necessary.

 Joel Pineiro, who had relieved Romero in the seventh, retired the Rangers in order in the bottom of the eighth, recording his third strikeout in 1 2/3 innings of work. When Eric Gagne took the mound in the ninth inning, I had slightly mixed feelings. I had been clamoring for the opportunity to see Gagne up close (relatively speaking) since the Rangers had signed him in December, and I was eager to see what progress he was making in returning to his once-great form. However, I didn't really want to see him pitching to one of my favorite teams.

Gagne encountered a battle with the first batter he faced. With a 2-2 count, Dustin Pedroia continued to foul off another eight pitches (without taking another ball) before sending a homer beyond the Southwest airlines banner in left field and tarnishing Gagne's ERA with his first earned run of the season. Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp sent two more shots way deep into the outfield but not far enough before Youk struck out to end the inning.

The insurance run proved valuable to the Red Sox as Hideki Okajima gave up a pair of hits, including an RBI single to Mark Teixeira with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Sosa flew out to end the game, however, and Boston came away with the win, sweeping the three-game series.

 And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

I’ve never needed a reason to get excited about the NCAA Tournament, but if I did, I have one this year. My alma mater, the University of North Texas has made it (as a fifteenth seed) for the first time in nearly two decades. They clinched their tournament berth by winning the Sun Belt Conference a week and a half ago (not breaking news, I know). I finally have my bracket picks, though, and I’m predicting some interesting Lone Star showdowns this year.

Although some hard feelings remain towards the Mean Green athletic department, I am still picking North Texas for some upset wins in the early rounds. Even I don’t see them getting past the Aggies, though. To some extent, my bracket this year is a slate of games I’d want to see and not so much what I expect to happen.

This year does mark a first for me. I have been filling out brackets since 1994, but this is the first time I am wagering any money on my picks. I convinced myself that the $10 in two separate office pools would not really mean the difference between paying the rent in April and living out on the street. It is about the price of a bag of cat food, though, so Yaz and Fenway should be wary. Some may consider it foolish to only fill out one bracket, but I say it is commitment and conviction, and perhaps a bit of laziness.

For anybody who's curious, here is my bracket:

 

Just wondering- did any non-alums pick North Texas for the upset over Memphis?

 

I’m hoping that this won’t be my last post for another three months. With baseball season upon us, I expect to be piping up much more frequently again, not that there wasn’t plenty to talk about this winter with the Mavs having one of their best seasons ever. If anybody was wondering, I’ve been very busy with work, balancing two jobs until recently. As of Monday, I am now working full time at the Fort Worth Star Telegram as the assistant supervisor for high school agate.

 

Although I work in the sports department of a major newspaper, my schedule usually has me at my desk and on the phone whenever there’s a game on so I rarely have the chance to actually watch a game live, even when it’s on in the newsroom. I am prepared for baseball, though. I didn’t get around to the big spring training post I had planned, but my mlb.tv subscription has been renewed, so I won’t be missing any of the action beginning in April. My post-game thoughts may not be as timely as they were last year, but on the bright side, I may be able to fit in more Dodgers games now that I don’t have to be at work at 7:30 in the morning.

 

And speaking of the Dodgers, Tommy Lasorda still has my support: Lasorda for Commissioner!

 

The Rangers never cease to amaze me with their incomprehensible personnel moves. I had thought that Jon Daniels would be some kind of improvement over former G.M. John Daniels (AKA the Empty Golf Shirt), but he and Tom Hicks continue to let some of their best players slip through their fingers and write huge checks to the over-rated, the washed-up, and the just plain bad. Today, they announce the newest addition to their bullpen when they sign Eric Gagne to a one-year, $6 million contract... pending the results of a physical.

Now, don't get me wrong- I love Eric Gagne as much as anyone and maybe more than I should (see here for proof).Still, he has pitched fifteen and a third innings in the past two seasons combined. Nobody needs to convince me of his potential (or past greatness, as I fear it is now). I remember his Cy Young season when he posted 55 saves with just three losses in 77 games, with a 1.20 ERA. But in an eight year career, he has only had three good seasons (although when he's good, he's amazingly brilliant). The Rangers say that they are confident in Gagne's medical reports, but I can't imagine anything inspiring enough to gamble six million dollars on.

Of course, I'm hoping that Gagne really is healthy and can return to his former glory. I would love the chance to be there and watch him at work and in top form.

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner!

Tonight’s game between the Red Sox and White Sox was riveting… if you are a devotee of old-school / National League-style baseball. The pitching match-up between Chicago’s Javier Vazquez and rookie Kason Gabbard, who picked up his first career victory, was less exciting if you are a fan of the home run, as Boston’s 1-0 shutout win featured none of them. Even with an error charged to the Red Sox, the game featured excellent pitching and defense for both teams.  

The starting pitchers allowed a combined total of only six hits. Vazquez and Gabbard each had three hits, with Gabbard pitching seven innings and Vazquez going all eight for Chicago. Boston reliever Mike Timlin, who picked up the win in last night’s overtime effort, allowed just one hit in the two-inning save.  

Although Mike Lowell had the error with the poorly fielded ground ball in the fourth inning, he was also involved in two of the Red Sox’s three double plays of the evening. The first came quickly after the error, with Paul Konerko grounding into a bases-loaded 5-4-3 double play. The latter was more remarkable, with Lowell fielding a liner from Joe Crede and turning it to Kevin Youkilis to get Tadahito Iguchi out to end the top of the sixth. The fielding efforts were more impressive in the later innings as the Red Sox protected their very narrow lead while contending with increasingly heavy rainfall.  

Tonight brought the return of David Ortiz after he was cleared to play following treatment for heart palpitations. Big Papi received a very enthusiastic welcome from the crowd at Fenway in all four of his plate appearances. He did not make any direct contribution to the Boston victory, however, going 0-3 with a walk. Coco Crisp had the only RBI of the night with a single to score Trot Nixon, who only returned from injury himself in last night’s series opener.  

Although Boston’s heavy hitters are healthy once more, with Ortiz, Nixon, and catcher Jason Varitek all returning in time to take on the defending World Series champions, the pitching staff is still suffering mightily. Starters Tim Wakefield and Matt Clement have both been out since midsummer, Clement with a strained shoulder in his throwing arm and Wakefield with a fractured rib. Rookie right-hander David Pauley, who had been called up from AA Portland, was also placed on the disabled list last week with a shoulder strain, and closer Jonathan Papelbon frightened fans on Friday when he left in the ninth inning of Friday’s victory over Toronto, also with an apparent shoulder injury. Papelbon had expressed his desire to return earlier today, pending the results of an MRI, but it looks like his injury, while not severe, will require more rest and rehabilitation than that. Of course, the most serious concern for Boston is the health of rookie pitcher Jon Lester, who was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma last week.  

Curt Schilling was scratched from his scheduled start last night, as well, with a mild strain of his own. The rotation also lost 43-year-old David Wells last week, when he finally got his wish of a trade to hometown San Diego. Of course, in my opinion, Boston is better off without Wells, who has been inconsistent and injury prone in recent years, but it does leave the Red Sox, who received a minor-league catcher (and cash, not his weight in ground beef, as I had suggested) in the trade, even more short-staffed in their pitching rotation.  

It’s still too early to say that Boston should pack it in and wait for next year, but the picture still looks rather bleak. With tonight’s win, they are still 8.5 games back in the American League East (eight if the Royals can defend their five-run lead in the top of the ninth inning against New York) and six games behind Minnesota (and a game and a half behind Chicago) in the wild card. To have a chance at playing October baseball, the Red Sox will need for September to be as good as August was bad. If they can put together twenty or more wins, they may actually pick up enough ground, particularly if they can do some damage in their series against the Twins and Yankees.  

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.

GRAPEVINE, Texas. Die-hard Red Sox fan and blogger, Laura (AKA Ellesie99), has suffered a setback in her rehabilitation efforts after experiencing heart palpitations, faintness, and a possible case of “the vapors”. She attempted to get through Monday night’s game in Oakland but lost consciousness sometime after the Athletics took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. She revived briefly after the game but felt her energy lag even further after learning that the Sox and rookie Kason Gabbard had suffered a 9-0 loss.

Laura did not feel that she had the energy or fortitude for tonight’s game, even with Josh Beckett getting the start for Boston. She kept herself updated of the score via phone and ESPN’s Baseball Tonight from a training facility near her home in Grapevine, Texas.

Medical personnel have not yet determined the cause of Laura’s problems or even diagnosed her condition. One popular theory is that the Red Sox fan is suffering from a broken heart as her team has lost 20 of their last 28 games this month. Possible causes of the blogger’s heartbreak include David Ortiz’s recent hospitalization, Manny Ramirez’s recent knee soreness, Wily Mo Peña’s aching wrist, Jason Varitek’s knee injury and subsequent surgery, Trot Nixon’s bicep strain, or Tim Wakefield’s fractured rib.

 

The blogger exhibited signs of stress and exhaustion in the days preceding Boston’s five-game series against the New York Yankees. However, concerns were dismissed as such feelings are typical when the pin-stripers darken the dugout of Fenway Park. She had hoped that the change of scenery and weather of the Sox’s current west coast road trip might improve her condition, but despite a promising visit to Anaheim, a subsequent sweep in Seattle and another two losses in Oakland have offered no respite. 

 

The prognosis is not good, and there have been rumors that Laura has lost her will to blog. Although Laura was unavailable for comment, her spokesperson vigorously denied those claims. However, if improvements are not seen during Boston’s upcoming homestand against the Blue Jays and White Sox, Laura’s and the Red Sox’s season may well be over.

And, oh yeah- Lasorda for Commissioner.