Play Two...WIN TWO! Red Sox 7-5 Brewers 5-3

The first game was an afternoon delight. The second game, with a first pitch at 8:36pm EDT, was an error-filled (seven combined errors, a 2008 major league high) nailbiter. But the end result, two wins for the home team that they really needed, was just great. Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched six and two thirds wonderful innings, and the bullpen took it from there. Kudos go out to Manny Delcarmen, who was temporarily a resident of Terry Francona's doghouse, with good reason to be. Daisuke moves his won/lost record to 7-0 and is now third in the league with an ERA of 2.15. Quite a change from last year. Kevin Youkilis had this to say after the long day was finished...

"It was one of those games (game #2) where it seemed like it took forever and you've got to scratch and claw," Youkilis said. "By the end of the game you're dragging, your bat's dragging. Your body. You have to try to will yourself through the end of it."

Big Papi and Mike Lowell were the respective hitting stars, but the bullpen seemed determined to waste a 5-0 Sox lead in game two. But all ended well, and a share of first place is ours. A couple thoughts...I was happy and relieved to see Little Manny pitch so well in game one. He used his sharply breaking curveball to compliment his fastball, and he allowed his team to get through the eighth inning before going to Pabelbon, who did not pitch in the night game. There was no Manny #499 home run in game one. He sat out the nightcap.

The Yankees continue to lose, this time to the Mets by a score of 7-4. Their starting pitching is woefully inadequate and their hitting has been sporadic. But they could turn it around like they did last year. I do not see that happening with their rotation as it stands now. As for Boston, we all have to hope that Hideki Okajima's wrist, his LEFT one, dammit, is not hurt badly. We already had bullpen needs before he announced he was hurting, and the 'pen, at least as it stands now, will not take the team far. That sounds like a doomsday scenario, and maybe it is, but when I see a weakness, I have to mention it here. The addition of Bartolo Colon can and will only help, and I look forward to Tuesday or Sunday to see him take the hill. Today it will be Carlos Villenueva versus a ready for redemption Josh Beckett, so a sweep is entirely possible. It's afternoon Fenway baseball at 1:35pm EDT, and we'll be ready. Click on the title of this post for all about last night's everything, and have a great Sunday. As always, be well, and any comments are appreciated so very much. Thanks.