Beast Indeed.

Last night's matchup didn't look promising. Cliff Lee vs. John Lackey. The Red Sox lost the first two games to Texas, and it looked like the weekend was getting longer and even more frustrating.

I missed the game last night because of my Saturday night softball game, but I followed it on the cell phone. Lackey was breezing along for 5 2/3 innings, but Texas broke through with two runs on four straight hits. 2-1, and it stayed that way until the ninth.

Marco Scutaro singled, and two outs later was at third. Up stepped Kevin Youkilis, and he took Lee down into the corner to tie it up, and extra innings awaited.

Mike Cameron was robbed of a homer by Nelson Cruz, who reached above the bullpen wall and snagged his shot. In the 11th, the Sox loaded the bases with none out, and up stepped Our Boy Youk. And once again, he delivered a long fly to center that once again drove in Scutaro and the Sox had a huge, big time win.

Kudos to the bullpen, who pitched four no-hit innings, with just Daniel Bard allowing a walk in the 8th. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 9th and 10th, and Manny Delcarmen, just off the DL, pitched the 11th and got the win.

Interesting stat: the Red Sox are 7-2 in games started by former Cy Young winners this season.

New York lost to Tampa Bay, so the Red Sox are back to 5 1/2 behind, and 3 1/2 out of second.

The Sox recalled pitcher Michael Bowden today from Pawtucket and DFA'd catcher Gustavo Molina. (Dusty Brown was brought up yesterday and is now Kevin Cash's backup.) Jon Lester looks to gain a split of the series this afternoon against C.J. Wilson, before the Red Sox embark on a ten-day trip to the Left Coast.