Lackey: Not Bad Really

As John Lackey was making his return to Red Sox rotation today, I thought I was glad that the Red Sox had already won the series, as this one could get ugly, and I wouldn't be too upset.

But Lackey turned in a decent performance, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs. He hit two batters, but got two double plays as well, so I really can't complain too much.

With Brett Anderson going for Oakland, I really thought the A's would take this, as he has beaten the Red Sox four straight times, including Lackey earlier this year in Oakland.

But Anderson threw a breaking pitch in the middle of the strike zone to Carl Crawford and he killed it, sending it into the Red Sox bullpen with two on in the second. That made it 3-0, and the Red Sox were ahead to stay.

Adrian Gonzalez hit his 12th home run into the Monster Seats with one on, and that made it 5-2. Was he born to play in Fenway or what?

6-3 was the final, a sweep of the A's, and the Sox remain one back as New York won in Anaheim. Next up, the Yankees in the Bronx on Tuesday night.