The relatively unknown infielder is simply amazing against New York this season: 11-for-22, with 6 RBI. He was in last night as Mike Aviles was nursing a sore toe.
Felix Doubront pitched one of his best games of the year last night: 6 1/3 innings, 1 earned run.
The bullpen blew the lead for the second straight day as New York tied it in the 8th on Russell Martin's RBI single. Ryan Sweeney drove in the Sox' first two runs with an RBI double. Will Middlebrooks was involved in some controversy in the 10th, as he was clearly hit by a pitch attempting to bunt, but the umps ruled the ball hit the bat. Morons as usual, but justice was served as Middlebrooks singled in front of Ciriaco's game-winning single.
Back to .500 yet again, at 51-51.
Taking a series from New York is always fun (and most welcomed right now), but I can't say I'm jumping for joy over this. It was tough road trip the Sox finished against Texas and New York, going 3-3. I honestly thought 0-6 or 1-5 might be where it would wind up.
Now, they must build on it, and RIGHT NOW. The schedule gets no easier. They start a 10-game homestand against Detroit, Minnesota and Texas tonight. And the following ten-game road trip is not easy either: Cleveland, Baltimore and New York (again). These 20 games will show what kind of heart and desire this team has. They need to win 14 or 15 of these games to really make any kind of a move in the Wild Card standings. Am I dreaming? Probably am. If they come out with a half-assed effort in the Detroit series, and can only split against the Twins (only one of three teams with a worse record against them in the AL), that will tell you all you need to know. That this is a mediocre, overpaid team with no hope of playing beyond October 3.
The time is now, boys. Only 60 games left. I have pretty much written this season off. It was a good weekend in New York. Build on it.
And once again, prove me wrong.
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