Just Tip Your Cap To The Opposition

I wouldn't have predicted this.

The Red Sox went up against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, who was having a miserable season. He was sent back to the minors earlier this season, and wasn't even pitching well there. He was an All-Star last season, but faded late in the year.

So what happens? He allows the Red Sox just one run on three hits in 7 2/3 innings last night, and the Sox could manage just four base runners all night. The Braves snapped the Red Sox five-game winning streak, 4-1. Jurrjens flashed the promise of what he showed last year last night. Just tip your cap to him and move on.

It is mercifully the last interleague series for 2012, and the first meeting this year between the Braves and Sox. (Hey aren't the Braves the "natural rivals" for the Red Sox? Don't ask me. Interleague totally befuddles me, and we'll have that crap EVERY DAY in 2013. Ugh.)

Jon Lester struggled all night, allowed 10 hits and 3 runs in 7 innings. Mark Melancon allowed the fourth run in the ninth inning.

BTW, did you notice who NESN found in the Monster Seats during the game? It was none other than the Texas Con Man himself, Roger Clemens, fresh off his government-botched perjury trial. Had a bad feeling his presence on the premises didn't bode well for the Sox last night, despite all the governors of Red Sox Nation being on hand as well, including my boss, Governor Chris Wertz of New York.

The Mets did the Red Sox a favor by beating the Yankees at Citi Field, 6-4, so the Sox remain 5 1/2 games back in the AL East.

And some good news on the Daniel Bard front. Looks like when he returns from Pawtucket, he'll be returning to the bullpen, where he belongs.