Lightning Doesn't Strike Thrice

After two walk-off wins in as many games, a third one wasn't to be. For the first six innings, the game was a bona fide pitcher's duel, with Clay Buchholz and CJ Wilson mowing down the Rangers' and the Red Sox' offenses with clinical efficiency. Then came the 7th. It was in the 7th inning of last night that Beckett surrendered the Sox' 3-run lead (courtesy of a grand salami by JD Drew, a two-run dinger by Darnell McDonald and a solo shot by Mike Lowell and a few other timely hits) by serving up a cookie to Josh Hamilton, tying the game. Youk was the hero with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th. In the 7th inning of tonight's game, Clay cracked, giving up three straight hits and two runs before recording an out. A third run was scored on a bunt by Andres Blanco which was fielded poorly by Buchholz. An error by Beltre allowed Blanco to reach third. Still, this was a solid outing for young Buch, who fanned a career high 10 batters.

Alas, Buchholz was left high and dry by his teammates wielding the lumber. The streaky offense played hooky tonight, apparently forgetting that it was their skipper's birthday. It's like showing up at the party without a gift. Where's the love for Tito, boys? It turns out Darnell McDonald is NOT a robot programmed to hit 2-run homers and walk-offs. He's human after all. It was fun while it lasted and generated countless Mickey D's-inspired tributes in cyberspace, including Boston Dirt Dogs' golden arches in the Green Monster seats.

Don't look now, but here come the 2-14 O's, who are taking scuffling to a new level. They're the team keeping the Red Sox out of the AL East basement. Other teams in the "it could be worse" column: The White Sox, at 5-11, and the Astros at 5-10. In the same boat as the Red Sox are the Cubs. On the other end of the spectrum, much to our chagrin, are the Yankees and the Rays, who taking turns being at the top of the division. Let's hope the Red Sox can at least win this series against the O's and perhaps try to gain ground on the Jays, who sit in third place.

Tomorrow night, Lester tries to get himself on track against a team he's had a lot of success against. The Sox hitters, should they decide to show up, will be facing Jeremy Guthrie, whom they've knocked around in the past.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!