Good Lord, They Almost Got No-Hit by Lackey!

Sox: 2 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, United States of America, Earth: 6

Pedey and Youk saved the Sox from the Ultimate Humiliation tonight by breaking up a no-hitter in the bottom of the ninth by John Lackey. This is the same John Lackey the Sox used to OWN, especially at Fenway. Not so tonight. He was steamrolling the comatose Red Sox offense through 8 1/3 innings until Pedey singled and Youk took him deep. An out by Papi, a walk by Manny, and another out by Lowell later, the Sox came away with the loss, but at least prevented a no-hitter and a shutout.

Buch didn't do too terribly tonight, even though he was touched for six runs, four of them earned. Sloppy defense and not-too sharp relief by Hansen didn't help his cause. He had a couple of one-two-three innings and went 6 1/3, so there are signs of progress. Oki is starting to come around, so that is good news too in a stretch where good news for this team is hard to come by.

The Sox need to wake up those bats and play with some more fire if they're going to remain in playoff contention. They can't keep relying on the Rays or the Yanks losing. The Rays won tonight, by the way. But there are two months left in the season and let's hope they're two good ones for the Sox.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!!