A Comeback For The Ages

For the first time since September 21, 2001, the Boston Red Sox overcame a seven run deficit and beat the visiting Tampa Bay Devil Rays 14-10. The score was 4-0 Rays after two innings and 8-1 after 3 1/2. But the bats started to speak for the Red Sox, in fact they started to yell! And by the time the 7th inning was history, the score was 16-9 good guys. Gagne eventually gave up a meaningless run in the ninth to make the final score read 16-10. Batting heroes for the Sox? You have an extra hour? Just kidding....every hitter in the starting lineup had at least two hits, with the exception of Cash, who had 3 RBIs. The biggest blow might have been a bases loaded triple by Kevin Youkilis, which cleared the bases, in the 6th inning. By that time the Sox were well on their way on the comeback trail. Or was it the Yellow Brick Road? If it was, they FOUND the Wizard!

Timmy Wakefield is another story. For the second start in a row, he was terrible, going just three innings and giving up a mindboggling ten hits and seven runs in that short span, with a little help from Kyle Snyder letting the inherited runners in the fourth inning all score. But the rest of the 'pen-Lopez, Corey, Delcarmen, Timlin and Gagne were just fine, thank you, and the Sox came away with an important win. Said the starting pitcher.........

"I'm sure it's something mechanical that I need to figure out," Wakefield said. "The ball felt good in my hand tonight. I was throwing in the strike zone with some movement, late movement, and it just didn't happen when I needed it to happen. Physically, I'm fine."
Before missing his start Sept. 1, Wakefield had pitched 22 consecutive scoreless innings over three starts, including 15 over consecutive starts against the Devil Rays.
"I think missing the start with the physical problem he had seems to have interrupted his good roll," Francona said. "We've got to get him back, starting [today], with that confidence."

Timmy, we need you back on track. We ALL know it. Your next start is with those refuse-to-lose NY Yankees, who again won last night. The lead is four games in the lost column, too slim by anyone's standards.

Night baseball at Fenway features Jon Lester, who has been pitching so well of late, versus the Ray's 4-14 Jackson. Let's go out and win this one from start to finish, Soxers. And with Wakes and Daisuke not going well right now, the future series outcome with the Yanks is a question mark....a BIG one.

Click on the title of this post for the Globe's own Amalie Benjamin's wrap of last night's Fenway festivities. And a good time was had by all at Fenway Park on Tuesday night....or at least for those who were patient. MAGIC AT FENWAY. Does it get any better? Thanks for reading.