Red Sox 2 Rockies 1

Game 2 of the 2007 World Series was a nailbiter instead of a blowout, but it was a thing of beauty. The Red Sox are now up 2 games to none and they have the day off to travel to Denver for the DH-less games 3, 4 and 5. And they're in the best position they could possibly be.

Curt Schilling pitched 5 1/3 quality innings in what might have been his final appearance at Fenway Park. He stayed on the mound for a long time after Tito came out to get him in the sixth, and left to a tremendous standing ovation. I also stood, right here in my living room! I'd would love to see him back. He only allowed 4 hits and that lone run while walking 2. He was just great, but the great gets even better! Hideki Okajima came in to get the last 2 outs of the sixth, which he did, and went on to pitch 2 1/3 perfect innings, striking out 4 and throwing almost nothing but strikes. Said his manager.....

"If Okie doesn't throw as many strikes as he did, he wouldn't have been able to stay out there for as long as he did," manager Terry Francona said. "He was so good. His command was spectacular. I mean, that set up the whole game."

Peter here, and Okajima was the first Japanese pitcher to appear in a World Series and he did more than just pitch, he played a major role. He was quite simply perfect. Jonathon Papelbon came in to get the last 4 outs of the game and earn the save. Curt Schilling called the game "the Papajima show." Well put, Curt.

JD Drew was 2 for 2 and drove in the first Sox run in the 4th and Mikey Lowell drove in Big Papi with the winning run in the fifth. It was a splendid but harrowing time for the Fenway Faithful and those who watched on FOX and FOXHD. But faith was rewarded. Wonderful beautiful faith. And as the Red Sox wing westward, they and we know that they're in perfect shape. Taking 2 of 3 in Denver is not impossible, and if that happens, Fenway will remain dark for the rest of the winter. But we will take it one game at a time. It's Daisuke Matsuzaka versus Josh Fogg Saturday night at 8:35PM EDT in what will be the biggest, most important start of Daisuke's young life. Go get 'em Daisuke! And gametime temperatures in Denver Saturday night will be in the mid to upper 30s! If ever a day game made perfect sense, well, this is it.

Click on the title of this post for the Globe's Gordon Edes' look back at game 2 of the 2007 World Series. Enjoy your Friday, keep believing, and keep the Red Sox in your thoughts and close to your hearts. Forever.