Yet Another Series Win

To that blowhard (not BLOHARD) Michael Kay, who wrote off the Red Sox earlier this month: have you noticed that on the morning of May 26th, both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have the same number of wins: 26? Still feeling confident about that prediction, Mikey?

Jon Lester rode the tightrope early in last night's game at St. Pete, as he walked the first two hitters he faced, but got out of it unscathed. Jon walked five, but allowed just a fourth inning single, and that was it for six innings last night. I turned to some of my pals at Professor Thom's before Trivia Night and said after the hit, "There goes the no-hitter." They laughed and kidded me about it.

Little did anyone realize that if Lester hadn't given up that hit, it would have put Terry Francona in a ticklish situation, as Lester rolled up a high pitch count, and he surely would have had to yank him early. Fortunately, the night worked out well for everyone, except the Tampa Bay Rays.

The bullpen was lights out yet again, courtesy of Manny Delcarmen, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon. Pap allowed just a walk in getting his 11th save.

There were fireworks in the fifth, as Carl Crawford questioned Bob Davidson's strike zone, and it cost him, as Davidson tossed him from the game, along with Rays' manager Joe Maddon. Davidson was all over the place last night.

The red-hot David Ortiz was the star last night, as he doubled in two runs in the fourth for all the offense the Red Sox needed on the night.

The starting pitchers have allowed just one run in the last four starts, against two of the best teams in baseball.

Jacoby Ellsbury was pulled from last night's game before it began, as he was complaining of soreness on his side. It could be related to the injured ribs, but the Sox maybe worried about it, as Darnell McDonald was not DFA'd as expected. He'll still be with the Sox, and pitcher Scott Atchison was again designated for assignment. Not sure how long Ellsbury will be sidelined, but doesn't figure to play tonight.

Since the Papelbon meltdown in the Bronx, the Red Sox have won 7 of 8, and won series against Minnesota, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. On this blog, I said the Sox had to go 8-5 in this tough 13-game stretch beginning with the series in Detroit on May 14th. After the heartbreaker in NY on May 17th, they were 1-3. They are now 8-4 in that stretch. The Sox trail Tampa Bay by 6 1/2, and New York by just 1 1/2 games for second. (If the Red Sox had won that May 17th game, they would be in second by 1/2 game.)

And since they were swept by Tampa Bay on Patriots Day, the Red Sox are 22-12.

Still feeling confident the Red Sox are finished, Mikey?