HOME NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD
July 8, 2008
Last night was purely a pitcher's duel as Dice-K and Baker went neck-in-neck throughout the game. Dice-K's performance can safely be labeled as phenomenal. He pitched 7 1/3 dominate innings giving up just 6 hits and striking out 5. This would definitely qualify as Dice-K's best start of the season but, despite having such a dominate game, gets a no decision. He got himself into a mess loading the bases in the first inning but rapidly pulled himself back into the game retiring the remaining batters. Last night was the first time Dice-K has gone deep into a game since May. Something our bullpen is surely welcoming right about now.
Tito would opt for Okajima in the 8th after Dice-K would allow two runners to get on base and with just one out in the inning. He would make sure that nobody scores and gets out of that inning alive giving the Sox a chance to make our move first. Defensively, we were spot on last night. Julio Lugo had a superb game making a few impressive stops at short and even playing his role perfectly in a few double-play situations. He really seemed to pick up momentum last night and for the first time this season, actually looked comfortable in that position. Like I told you guys, you can't lose all hope on any player. He proved last night that he has what it takes to be a better SS than he's proven this season. He's fighting hard right now and we need to be right behind him to back him up. He does, after all, wear a Red Sox uniform.
Pedroia would step up to the plate after not being able to make a hit thus far to rocket one off the Green Monstah and bounce into the seats down by LF for a ground-rule double. Drew would ground out, then Manny would dig in with Pedroia at 3rd. He would put us on top with a single to right scoring Pedroia which would end up being the winning run. Manny would pull through in the clutch after suffering a 2-19 slump. Not to mention his fiasco on Sunday when he opted to strike out without swinging.
Papelbon would be called upon in the 9th and he sure did have his game face on. After suffering a tough loss on Sunday, we all know how Paps gets after a loss. It would take him only 9 pitches to secure the victory and some defensive moves. He struck out the first batter with relative ease, caused the next batter to fly out to foul territory on the third base side, then Youk would make an incredible defensive nab down the first base line to retire the final batter and secure our victory.
Home never looked so good to our boys and to us fans. To finally be able to return home after a series of tough outings is something we really needed. We haven't been beat TOO bad this season, we've just hit a lot of bad luck once we hit the road. Most of these games have been close ones within one or two runs which isn't bad at all. We've played heart-felt baseball, just not able to walk away with too many wins away from home. Our bats still need to awaken just a bit more. Dustin Pedroia is amidst a 15-game hitting streak and Manny got himself a pair of hits last night as well. JD Drew got himself out of an 0-14 drought at Fenway last night as well. Our bullpen is beginning to look much better as Manny D. had a solid performance on Sunday and Okie had a solid performance last night. I just hope that they're building up momentum and that this isn't just another short-lived stint. We have to keep believing in this team. That's the best thing we have to offer and the best thing we could possibly offer.
Jon Lester (7-3) takes the hill tonight after a truly remarkable game pitched against the Yankees Thursday night. He's been looking solid all season long and let's give him our continued support tonight as he takes on Nick Blackburn (7-4). Blackburn has an impressive curveball but a fastball he can't seem to gain any control over. We need to capitalize off of his mistakes and liven these bats up and do our best to keep from stranding runners. Great win last night and let's keep this going tonight!
Go Sox!
-BoSox Hooligan - RSM™
| 
