A Triumphant Return For Jon Lester As The Red Sox Walf Off With A Win

Wow, what a night it was! Jon Lester received no less than three standing ovations. The first was when he walked out to the bullpen to begin his warmup tosses. The second was during his slow walk to the mound to open the first inning. And the third? That was the sweetest one of all, as he strode into the dugout after hurling seven splendid innings, giving up only two hits and one run while striking out four. The Fenway Faithful poured out their love. As well they should have. He pitched his heart out, with 62 of his 97 pitches being strikes. But he was matched pitch for pitch by Scott Kazmir, who, going into the bottom of the ninth, had a 1-0 lead. But then the fun started. Mike Lowell hit a one out home run to tie it. Then the Captain, Jason Varitek, slammed a double to right center and was driven in by a clutch Coco Crisp single. It was only the second walk off win of the season for the Sox, and it came at a great time. The Yankees were getting pummeled by the Orioles. They play one more game today, with the O's best pitcher, Bedard, ready to face Hughes. For the Sox, it's Matsuzaka versus Sonnanstine. Let's put up some crooked numbers and go for the sweep. Every game against Tampa Bay should be a win, with the exception of those started by Kazmir. Those games are toss ups-he is a TOUGH leftie. So yesterday was big, really big.

Click on the title of this post for Jeff Horrigan's wrap up of last night's festivities, and then get ready for afternoon baseball at Fenway. Yes, it's a 1:05 start time for the final game of the series, and I expect greatness. Don't you?