The Red Sox "Lucky 13th"...Boston 5 Baltimore 2...Contest Update

The Red Sox must be very fond of the east coast of these United States. Last night, Boston defeated the Orioles in 13 long innings by a score of 5-2. Josh Beckett did not get the win, but he pitched a great, if sometimes wild, 6 innings, giving up 2 runs and only 4 hits while walking two and whiffing 10 (!!). He ended up throwing 118 pitches. And then it was the bullpen's time to shine. That's EXACTLY what Okajima, Delcarmen, Lopez, Hansen, Timlin and Jonathon Papelbon did, holding the Birds to those two runs. Timlin earned the win and Paps recorded his 15th save. Pheww...it's great to get a win under our belts - that west trip coast was PAINFUL!

The offense was led by Mike Lowell, who drove in the eventual winning runs. He had three hits, as did leadoff hitter supreme Jacoby Ellsbury. Big Papi contributed two more safeties for Boston, but this game was "this" for so long. What is "this?" "This" is another weak offensive display by the Boston lumber, and I'm so glad a few players seem to be getting untracked at the plate. I hope that trend is as catching as the flu bug that went 'round and 'round the clubhouse, taking victims in every nook and corner, cranny and closet.

The latest news on Daisuke Matsuzaka doesn't sound good, but it's just that the club is taking the cautious route, as well they should. They placed Daisuke on the 15 day disabled list, and if all goes well and treatment and rest is the best cure, he'll miss three starts. It's a long season. "Take no chances now and you'll be stronger in the long run." That's how it goes with a six month season of ANYTHING!

OK, a quick contest update. Please remember, if you haven't entered yet, there's only one guess allowed per reader/person. I assume most if not all of my readers are people, by the way. If not, let me know! I need to hear from you and a translator will be on call. Seriously (who, me?), there are seven entered guesses, and since no one knows what those guesses were except for little old me, I can tell you that there was one person who hit it right on the button. Who? Wait until tomorrow (Sunday) morning, a little bit after 6am. Seven entries, with two self-disqualifications. I'm a little surprised there were not more, but this whole Saturday is open. For all the contest details and a review of the DVD set, just scroll down two or three posts. It's called THE ESSENTIAL GAMES OF FENWAY PARK, and it's a KEEPER!

That's it for me right now. The sun is gently nudging itself free of the eastern horizon, and a beautiful day that will turn into a rainy one (I just heard the latest weather forecast!) is in store for those of us here in north central Connecticut. I hope your Saturday will be great, and click on this post's title for more Soxiness. And as always and forever, BE WELL. This is your humble host, signing off...for now. Anyone who hasn't entered the contest (see below), JUST DO IT!