Felix Dethroned

For the first 6 innings, King Felix and his loyal subjects (known to MLB and their fans as the Seattle Mariners) kept the game a tight one, albeit with a score in the Red Sox' favor. Then came the 7th, which has been deadly for opposing pitchers facing the Sox lineup. The Red Sox knocked the crown right off Felix's head and pulled his throne right out from under him, scoring 4 more runs off of him, making 6 total. They would score another run off of reliever Jeff Gray, making it 5 for the inning.

The Sox had their opportunities to rough Hernandez up earlier in the game, but grounded into 4 double-plays, 3 of which ended innings. In the 7th, Salty singled, Scoots flied out, Ells singled, Pedey walked, and Gonzo knocked a 2-run single that chased Felix from the game. Gray came in and served up a 2-run double to Youk, with the second run (and Youk's advance to third) the result of an error. Papi, back in the lineup after having served his time for his role in the O's fracas, joined the party with an RBI single that plated Youk.

Lackey, while allowing 3 hits and a run in the first inning, turned in a fine performance, going 7 innings and only giving up that one run. He didn't walk anyone and struck out 4. He was relieved by Morales, who got knocked around for 3 runs (all coming on a 3-run dinger off the bat of Mike Carp, who hadn't homered in a major-league game since 2009). Unable to get the third out, Morales was lifted for Bard, who quickly retired Greg Halman to end the threat. Now a save situation, Pap came in and set down the side in order for his 22nd save and the Red Sox' 60th win of the season. According to the NESN post-game show, this is the fastest the team has reached 60 wins since 1979! And this is after starting the season 2-10!

At 60 wins and 37 losses, the Red Sox now have a .619 winning percentage. If they continue to win at this rate--and it's a high rate to maintain over the remaining 65 games of the season--that projects to 100 games. If they win 60% of their remaining games, that would bring them to 99. These win totals are within reach, especially given the talent of this team, but are they realistic? If Lester and Buchholz come back and pitch like they did last year, if Lackey continues to post quality starts, if Reddick can keep producing as the starting right-fielder, and if everyone stays healthy, the team, as it is presently constituted, has a very good chance of hanging onto the division lead and reaching those lofty win totals.

Buchholz is the biggest "if" here. His progress over the next week will say a lot about what, if anything, the Red Sox do at the trade deadline. Lackey has the potential to be that #3 starter and his recent starts (except for the 4th of July debacle against Toronto) are encouraging, but I need to see more solid starts from him before I'm completely comfortable with a potential stretch-run rotation of Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Wake, and Miller, if Buchholz's injury continues to linger. The right-handed outfielder is not an absolute need, but if the right deal presents itself and the pitching situation improves, I'm all for it.