Sixth Inning Magic Powers Red Sox Win

Daisuke Matsuzaka wasn't exactly breezing along, but through five innings he had only given up one run while his teammates had scored four. But then came the sixth inning, which turned out to be his last. And much too quickly, the score went from 4-1 Sox to a 4-4 tie. It was a deflating time of the game for Boston fans, but that deflation only lasted about 13 minutes. Jason Varitek's two run tater was the big blow in a five run uprising for the home club. And after that, our lights-out bullpen made sure the score would stay the same. Manny Delcarmen, "Little Manny" no more, pitched the seventh and the eighth innings flawlessly, and Hideki Okajima breezed through an eleven pitch ninth. Final score? 9-4 Sox. Julio Lugo continued his hitting rebirth and Papi finally had a Fenway homer. But I want to come back to the Boston 'pen. Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima and Jonathon Papelbon comprise the best late inning trio we've had in a long time, a VERY long time. Delcarmen is pitching lights-out right now, challenging hitters with 97 MPH fastballs and beautiful curves. Oki and Paps? We know how they've been. If the Sox are leading after six, they stand a great chance of winning the game. And that's a beautiful thing.

I'm linking a Hartford Courant Sunday morning article about Larry Lucchino's desire to add AROD to the team next year. Mike Lowell is in his final year (as of now), and AROD could step right into his third base shoes. Or we could sign Lowell for another year and AROD could go back to his native land.....shortstop. I know, I know, AROD? On our team? REMEMBER THIS. Before he went to the Yankees he was all but inked by the Red Sox, and eager to come to Boston. I remember an interview spot on the Today Show before the deal was nixed by the player's association, and darn if he didn't have his Red Sox cap in his hands. Imagine his power numbers batting in the five spot of the lineup. Mind boggling! The $30 million a year will be easy for the Sox to come up with, because off the books will be more than $29 million, including the salaries of Lowell (maybe), Clement, Donnelly and others. So will it happen? Will AROD opt out of his Yankee contract? I hope so. With Boras as his agent, you have to think so. And 45 home runs and 145 RBIs (minimum) would be a nice addition to a lineup that needs another bopper bat. And he plays third base just fine. And the six hole just as well, if not better. So click on the title for all the particulars. Recommended reading.

The Red Sox move to 55-35, with their ace Josh "Baseball" Beckett ready to face Jesse Litsch. And then bye bye birdies. They head to NY and the mighty KC Royals invade Fenway for three. We'll be ready. Have a great Sunday, and click on that title.

And copy and paste this link for an article about a forthcoming Red Sox mystery novel. Right now, it's a mystery to all of us, but knowing Jere Smith and his acclaimed author mom Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, it will be a great one! Here's the link, but it's not clickable. Just copy and paste. And Jere's blog is on my link list, near the top, entitled A RED SOX FAN IN PINSTRIPE TERRITORY. Congrats go to Mary-Ann and Jere.

http://www.courant.com/features/booksmags/hc-momson.jul15,0,126780.story