Beckett's Arm, Pena's Bat Propel Sox Over O's

This would have been a tough one to lose. But there he was, the much maligned Wily Mo Pena, in a slump for the entire year, at the plate in the eighth with the bases loaded and the Sox down 2-1. He deposited a Chris Ray slider into the Red Sox bullpen for a grand slam and a 5-2 Red Sox lead. Beckett pitched the 8th, striking out his last 2 batters, and Jonathon Papelbon pitched the 9th for Beckett's 5th win and his 7th save. Josh Beckett joins Babe Ruth and Pedro Martinez as the only Red Sox pitchers in history to win 5 games in April. Not bad company indeed.
The Sox left runners on base in every inning, and it was an all too real possibility that they could have lost this one. But for the 5th time in the last 8 games, they came from behind to win. They have the best record in baseball heading into the 3 game series with the Yankees. Daisuke goes tonight, then Wakefield and (gulp!) Tavarez. So the table is set, the players will be in place, and we'll be watching. I must say again-great job WMP and tremendous pitching Josh Beckett.
Do you want the NY Times' take on the "bloody sock" debate? Click on the title of this post...it's right there!