52

This game was a gem from first pitch to last. Josh Beckett had everything working for eight innings, painting the corners, changing speeds and keeping the Minnesota batters guessing until the very end. If only he had this type of stuff all season. At least it looks like he was listening to Tek's call of the game, for he didn't try to overpower every batter with the fastball. That leads to home runs. None were to be had, not against last night's Josh.
And then there was Papi. There will only be one Papi, and we get to watch him now. Aren't we lucky? He bashed his first pitch of the evening into the bleachers behind the bullpen. 51. Everyone was delirious. But he was not finished. In his final at bat of the night he turned on a pitch and sent it into the centerfield bleachers. 52. September thrills alive and well at Fenway, if only for a night. And the Red Sox are still alive, barely, for the wild card, as they beat Minnesota 6-0. A good time was guaranteed for all. RSN smiles. Amid tears of joy