19-8

No, I'm not writing about that hideous Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS. (Doesn't that game seem like a generation ago?) The title of this post is the current win-loss record of one Jon Lester, who turned in a magnificent performance over New York on Saturday.

He retired the first 12 hitters and didn't allow a hit until the sixth (just like his last performance in the New Toilet back in August). And the Sox gave Lester plenty of support beating up on rookie Ivan Nova for three runs in the third and they knocked him out in the fifth.

J.D. Drew and Victor Martinez hit solo shots, and David Ortiz had two RBI singles. Curtis Granderson and Slappy both hit inconsequential home runs for the other guys.

Jon Lester will go for his 20th win next week, either Thursday night in Chicago or Friday night against New York at Fenway.

The Red Sox have now tied the season series with NY, 7-7, and have taken the season series at Yankee Stadium, 5-3, with one still to play there.

Tampa Bay won tonight, so New York falls to 1 1/2 games out in the AL East. They lead the Red Sox by 5 1/2 games in the Wild Card race. The two Sox wins now means that New York cannot eliminate the Red Sox this weekend from the postseason.

The Red Sox are making me proud the way they are fighting and not giving the Yankees one inch. And I LOVE the way they are making those NYY fans sweat.