The Opposite Ends of Class

It was a nice bounce back for the Red Sox, as Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew led the offense in a 10-2 romp over the San Francisco Giants after two rather hideous losses the previous two nights.

It was also an emotional return for Dave Roberts (above), who got a long standing ovation when he led off the game. (I actually missed most of the game, as I went out to dinner with a dear friend of mine in the West Village. But I was following the game from scores on my cell phone.) He was clearly moved by the outpouring of affection for him. The 2004 ALCS Game 4 stolen base will never be forgotten by Red Sox fans, as when it's all said and done, it maybe the biggest play in Red Sox history. And it couldn't have happened to a classier guy than Dave Roberts.

While at the end of the class meter, Barry Bonds got the reception he deserved, but not nearly as vicious as one might have expected. Fans were shown holding up signs with asterisks, but isn't wasn't as bad as many thought it would be. Bonds was also a non-factor, going 1-for-3.

But the night belonged to Dustin Pedroia, who went 5-for-5 with 5 RBI. He hit a two-run homer in the first to tie it in the first after the Giants jumped out for 2 runs. J.D. Drew also went 3-for-4, but the rest of the lineup would manage just one hit. But it was plenty as Julian Tavarez pitched seven solid innings for the win.

David Ortiz was ejected for first inning for arguing a called third strike, then "showing up" home plate ump Tony Randazzo by throwing down his bat and helmet as he marched back to the dugout. Lousy call by Randazzo, another of the crappy umps MLB currently employs. (It seems to me too many of today's umps either want to become part of the game, are terribly thin-skinned, or maybe both.)

The Mets beat the Yankees and The Carpetbagger last night, 2-0, to end the Yankees winning streak, stop the Mets losing streak, and extend the Red Sox lead back to 8 1/2 games.

It was a fine night all around, even if I missed just about all of it.