The Big Bats Right The Ship

I had a bad feeling after Saturday's meltdown in Anaheim that a lousy losing streak might be rearing its ugly head, especially with the Red Sox on the west coast for 8 more games.

They lost the next two, and didn't hit much when it counted in either game. And they got off to a really lousy start in Seattle last night, as Allen Webster got tagged for 7 runs in 2 1/3 innings. He's probably on his way back to Pawtucket.

But the offense came alive last night, as five different players hit home runs (David Ortiz, Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Dustin Pedroia, and in his first game back from AAA, Jackie Bradley, Jr.). The Sox got 11 runs on 16 hits, and beat the fourth-place Mariners, 11-8.

And the bullpen was stellar last night, allowing just 1 run in 6 2/3 innings, scattering 5 hits. Andrew Bailey looked good especially, allowing just one hit in 1 2/3 innings. And Koji Uehara returned to his usual 1-2-3 ninth inning save.

It was such a good night for the Red Sox that even David Ortiz, yes "Wheels" Ortiz, stole second base, standing up.

It was a big win for the Red Sox, and they still have a shot at what I thought was a legit goal for this trip: win 5 of 10. They have to take 3 of the next 5, but that is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Tampa Bay won last night, but Baltimore and New York both lost. The Sox remain 3 1/2 up on the Rays, 5 1/2 on the O's and 6 on the Yankees.