Simply stating that we merely won yesterday's game would be a huge understatement.  Let's face it, we SLAUGHTERED the Twins.  18-5.  We blew them out of the water as our bats woke up with a boom.  By the 7th inning, we were leading by just two runs with the score resting at 7-5.  We actually haven't had an offensive surge like this since June of 2003 and we racked up 23 hits which would also be the most since we ran up the score in Yankee Stadium in May of 2005 (27 hits).  The only starter who didn't manage to score a run was Brandon Moss who came through in the series to give us the winning RBI single the other day.  Tek started out the blowout momentum.  He hit a liner to center that was originally ruled an 8-4-5 triple play. Fortunately, the umpires overturned it and called it an RBI single.  Ron Gardenire would then be ejected after arguing the overturn.  He had a pair of hits after going 6-36 at the plate.  Ells delivered a career high of 4 hits from the leadoff spot.  Peds extended his career-long hitting streak to 17 games, delivering hits in his last 2 at-bats. Manny Ramirez belted 3 hits, including two doubles, and drove in 3. Mike Lowell had 2 runs, 2 hits and 2 RBI's.   Youk scored 3 runs and had 3 hits, including a double and a homer. Lugo delivered 2 hits and 2 RBI's.

Beckett would end up benefiting from this offensive blowout after he had struggled in the game.  He said he wasn't feeling well during yesterday's game and lasted 5 (and 2 batters) innings.  He walked 2, struck out 2 and gave up a pair of homers (total of 8 hits and 5 runs).  This would be his second straight start where he's given up 3 hits in the first inning and had a high pitch count by the third inning.   Our bullpen has been looking great lately.  They've managed to keep our lead without giving up any extra runs which is something we've needed pretty bad. 

The Twins turned out to be our slump buster on a few different levels.  Manny broke his 2-for-19 slump leaving the series with a .462 average and 6 RBI's.  Our bullpen has pulled themselves out of that rut and provided our starting pitchers with solid relief efforts.  Also, on the other hand, our starting rotation has given our bullpen the relief they need lasting well into late innings.  Lugo has picked up the pace very well.  He's stepped up not only his offensive performance, but he's been showing us some great defensive nabs and smart playing.  Tek has picked up hits over this series breaking the biggest slump of his career.  Team Morale is at an all-time high as each player has contributed immensely to this team's success. 

With this sweep of the Twins, we close in our lead in the standings to just two games with the Yankees trailing behind us by 4.5 games.  Clay makes his major league return to the mound on Friday as Baltimore comes to town.   Buchholz (2-3) will face off against Burres (6-5).   Buchholz has spent the past two months with the PawSox after a stint on the disabled list with a blister on his throwing hand turned into a Minor League assignment to work on his mechanics. He'll take Justin Masterson's spot in the rotation  and will look to find the success he enjoyed in 2007.  Burres is coming off his third straight start where he was unable to get past the sixth inning.  On the road Burres has a 3.98 ERA, than when pitching at home, where he has a 6.18 ERA.

So with Peds on a 17 games hitting streak and our boys pulling themselves out of some major slumps, we're sitting pretty good right now.  Remember what I told you guys?  Don't doubt Julio Lugo.  He needs us to stick by him not insult him.  Look at him now.  He's been playing great baseball lately and deserves a round of applause.  Let's cheer on Clay tomorrow night (7:05PM EDT) as he takes the mound live from Fenway Park!  I don't know about you guys, but I'm excited to see him return.  Let's see how this bullpen question will go.  Hopefully they'll put Masterson in there for awhile.  We shall see.  Believe and you can achieve.