Manny Being Clutch

Sox: 1 Twins: 0

Finally, the Sox on the right side of a one-run game! Dice-K, while not picking up win #10, does an excellent job going deep into the game and attacking the zone. He and Twins starter Scott Baker had a seven-inning long pitching duel and both left with the game still scoreless. It was up to the pens to decide the victory and this time the Sox pen came out on top. Oki looked more like the Oki of last year tonight, coming in with inherited runners and getting out of a bases-loaded jam, with the help of a great play by Youk to rob Craig Monroe of a hit and keep a run from scoring.

Manny, who was the goat last night for looking at three good pitches, became the hero tonight, with Pedey on third and one out in the 8th. Pedey had a leadoff double which missed being a home run by only about a foot or so. Drew hit a grounder that moved Pedey to third and Manny stroked a single to the opposite field to bring Pedey home. That was the only run the Sox needed, as Paps shut down the Twins in order in the 9th for his 26th save. These Twins were red hot coming into the game, having won the last five, but the Sox prevailed tonight, back in friendly territory after a brutal road trip.

The Rays FINALLY lose today, in extra-innings to the Royals. That brings the Sox back to 4 games behind. Masterson is sent back to the PawSox to be converted into a reliever and Bailey comes up to fill the roster spot until Buchholz returns to face the O's on Friday. Tomorrow, it's Yankee-tamer Lester against Nick Blackburn.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!