Euphoria To Maddening Frustration

Game one was great. It's fun to watch a young rookie pitcher, clearly talented, make his first start in the majors, and against a great club too. Game two was fun, for awhile. Josh Beckett was super, Manny Delcarmen a little shabby, but the home team bats came to life in the eighth inning with four runs, giving the Red Sox a 5-4 lead. Three outs to go. Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters?? I wish, but in strode Eric Gagne, and out went any chance of a victory and a sweep. I don't even know how to describe his ninth inning appearance without using biting and cruel profanity. So I won't. In Tito's defense, he had used Okajima and Papelbon in game one, each for more than an inning. So it was either Mike Timlin or "the new guy" to close out the game. And when you consider the many reasons why the club obtained the Canadian righty, it was a solid managerial move. Only one thing went wrong with Tito's plan.....GAGNE SUCKS, AND CONTINUED SUCKING on Friday.

Today, a Saturday night game. Curt Schilling will face Jered Weaver, who did well against the Sox on their recent West coast swing. And with the Yankees' win against the Tigers, the lead stands at five. I hate to say it, but a split of these next two with the Halos would be completely fine with me. But yesterday? Yesterday could have been so so very sweet.

Click on the title of this post for more on the trials and tribulations of Eric Gagne, penned by the Herald's Rob Bradford. And GOOD LUCK to Wily Mo Pena, who was traded to the Nationals for cash and a player to be named later. Wily, you're a nice guy and your future is ahead of you with more playing time and a 4th or 5th spot in their batting order. We ALL wish you luck.

Happy weekend everyone, as the sting and bitterness that was last night at Fenway slowly dissolve into a truly beautiful day. For ALL of us.