7 UP

Where was Julian Tavarez when we needed help with the rotation? Well, we know where he was. And he was struggling. Now, in his last 5 starts, he's 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA. Not bad. Not bad at all. And last night he spun a beauty, a complete game 7 hitter. And the offense backed him up just fine, thank you, scoring 7 runs. It was sevens all around, and the Sox seem to have a grip on second place in their AL East quest. Look for Tavarez in the rotation next year, especially now that we hear the news that Matt Clement left the club yesterday to go home. What's up with that? Tito said he would address the situation today. So I guess we'll see. Doesn't bode well for next year though. Mike Lowell's 2 run homer in the second was the big blow. We need you back next year, Mikey. Oh, and speaking of next year, Coco Crisp has played his last game of the year, maybe of his career, for the club because his finger, yes, the same one, is broken and needs to be operated on. So long Coco. You were a major disapointment. And Manny has been taking batting practice and watching videos of his swings. We might see him before the season dwindles into nothingness. But wait!! I just heard that, through his agent, Manny has yet again demanded that the club trade him in the off season. What??? Should Manny be Manny somewhere else? Until this little tidbit of earthshaking news came to me, I was solidly of the opinion that Manny, batting 4th, behind our Papi, was a match made in Heaven. And now? Holy crap! Readers, I need your comments, pro, con, or something else. Please! But for now we have 3 more games with Toronto. We are not a third place club. Watch. And see.