Payback Time

The last time the Red Sox left Progressive Field in Cleveland, they were demoralized after being swept by the Tribe, coming on the heels of being swept by the Rangers in the opening series of the 2011 season. Fast forward about 6 weeks to this afternoon, as the Sox left Cleveland after having taken 2 of 3 from the team with the best record in baseball so far and having just annihilated them to the tune of 14-2. After being beaten in the 8th inning on Monday night, the Sox proceeded to put the high-flying Cleveland Indians in their place with a win last night, courtesy of some 'Tek support, and today's aforementioned bludgeoning.

Though run support came by the boatload today, Lester returned to dominance after a 3-game slump where he gave up 4-5 runs each start. He tossed 6 shutout innings and fanned 7. He could have gone longer, having come out after 94 pitches, but the score was so lopsided by that time that there wasn't much point in running up his pitch count when they may need him to go deep in a much closer game in the future. He picked up his major-league leading 7th win of the season and improved to 7-1, bringing his ERA down from 3.42 to 3.36. His teammates gave him oodles of room to work with, putting up a 7-spot before he even took the mound.

All the starters in today's game, save for Jed Lowrie, had at least one hit. Carl Crawford lead the pack with a season-high 4 hits and was just a scoring decision away from hitting for the cycle. His second hit of the day had him reaching third on a ball that was not fielded cleanly by Shin Soo Choo in right, but with his speed, it's safe to say he might have even reached third if without the bobble by Choo. The hit was ruled a double and an error. He would go on to hit a dinger and another double, having hit a single in the first inning. Still, a 4-hit game is cause for celebration for the struggling Crawford, cycle or no.

Also going yard this afternoon were Papi, Pedey, and Salty. Pedey was 2 for 4 in his return to the lineup after a night off yesterday. Salty continues to rake, making the patient approach, despite the caterwauling of a large portion of Red Sox Nation, myself included, seem to be the wise one. Sox newbie Drew Sutton went 3 for 5, subbing for an injured Youk and Cam chipped in 2 hits as well, playing right field in place of JD Drew, whose hammy is barking. Like last Friday night against the Cubs, it was a good old-fashioned one-sided slugfest, otherwise known as in-game batting practice. When RemDawg and Don start talking about rugs, plugs, and hotel food, you know there's a blowout in progress.

Up next for the Red Sox: Motown, where they renew acquaintances with the Tigers (didn't we just see those guys, like, a week ago?). Aceves takes the mound tomorrow for his second start of the season. Let's hope he doesn't send anyone to the hospital this time! Wake goes on Friday, hoping to follow up on an excellent outing last Sunday against the Cubs. Buch and Beck are on the bump on Saturday and Sunday.