Sweepity Sweep Sweep!!!

Sox: 4 Broomed Bronx Boys: 1

It's amazing what being down 2-6 to start the season will do to a team. Wake started something special in Oakland back on April 15. While his no-hitter bid didn't quite make it, his performance seemed to wake (yes, pun intended!) the Red Sox bats from a week-long slumber. They won that game, then clawed their way back to .500, and then just kept on going, Energizer Bunny-style. They mowed down the O's, Twins, and Yanks in order. The Yanks were the most challenging of the three opponents, but the Red Sox were not to be denied. An offense, led by Youk, Bay, and Lowell, scored a grand total of 80 runs since Wake's Tax Day gem. Until then, they had not scored more than 5 runs in one game. There have been some worrisome pitching performances (*ahem* Beckett *ahem* Penny) but the bats have made like the federal government and bailed out the messes made on the mound. To make a further political analogy, Wake's jewel was the stimulus package the offense needed to get going. While our aces Beckett, and Lester have been struggling (though Lester's last two outings have been much better than his first two), Wake and Masterson have been consistent so far. Dice-K, well the WBC broke him and Penny's still trying to get his command back after recovering from shoulder pain.

The young'uns were the story of today's game. Ellsbury stole two bases, including one daring theft of home that earned him standing O's through his next at-bat. It was the first straight-out steal of home for a Red Sox player in 15 years. When this kid gets on base, he makes things happen. His average has greatly improved this homestand, along with the averages of just about everyone on the team. He may run into the occasional out, but most of the time, his aggressiveness on the basepaths pays off and tonight, he put on quite a show! Masterson was masterful, allowing only a single run on a sac fly over 5 1/3 innings. Hunter Jones and Michael Bowden were impressive in relief, saving a spent bullpen. Bowden threw two scoreless frames, whiffing the likes of Derek Jeter and a raking Robinson Cano. Saito came on and grabbed the save, giving Paps the night off.

Tomorrow, the Sox hit the road for a nine-game, three-city tour, starting in Cleveland, stopping by The Trop for a tangle with the Rays (who are in the cellar right now, but they always seem to save their best stuff for the Sox), then to the Yankee Launchpad for the second chapter of the '09 Sox-Yanks saga. Let's hope their momentum comes along for the ride.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!! CONGRATS ON KEEPING THE STREAK ALIVE!!!