YOUK And LESTER Fuel Red Sox Victory...Boston 8 Texas 4

Jon Lester recorded his 15th quality start of the year Wednesday night at Fenway Park as the Red Sox pummeled Texas pitching once again in an 8-4 victory. The Sox belted out 12 hits in support of the lefthander, and Lester blanked the Rangers until the 8th inning, when Mike Timlin relieved him after a Texas run came across and two men were on base. The boos echoed around Fenway as Timlin promptly gave up a 3 run home run to Milton Bradley. Two of those runs were charged to Lester, who deserved a better fate, but by then the Sox had an insurmountable lead. Lopez bailed Timlin out of the 8th and Masterson made it official by pitching a one hit, one walk scoreless ninth. A great job by Jon Lester. Here's what a nameless baseball scout, someone who knows his baseball inside and out, said about Lester...

"He's becoming one of the premier lefthanders in the game," the scout said. "He's starting to be one of those guys the team can depend on every time he pitches. Now he's getting dominating. He's reminding people of a younger Andy Pettitte every time he goes out there. It's great to watch young pitchers develop and blossom, and this kid has done that before our very eyes after all he's been through with the cancer. The Red Sox have a No. 1 lefthanded starter. They're hard to find."

Peter here, and that sounds GREAT to me! The offense was powered by cleanup hitter and third baseman (Lowell is on the 15 day DL) Kevin Youkilis' three straight doubles. He is rapidly becoming the most important cog of the Manny-less Red Sox offense. His teammate said this about the man we call Yooouk..

"He's been unreal," said Bay of Youkilis. "He's got a lot more pop than I've given him credit for. With Lowell out, he's the guy who can step up and really carry us. He's been fun to watch."

Yes, Tuesday night it was a game-winning three run tater. Every night he shows us something, be it at the plate or in the field, and we're lucky to have him. I see a long term contract with his name on it in the near future...the Sox HAVE TO! Dustin Pedroia had another multi-hit game and has cemented his standing as the best second baseman in the American League. Bay and Lowrie also collected 2 hits in the Red Sox offensive show of force.

There's one more game left with the arm-challenged Rangers tonight at 7:05pm EDT with Daisuke Matsuzaka ready to face righthander Tommy Hunter. A sweep would be nice, wouldn't it? The Yankees lost once again to the Twins and fell 9 games behind the winning Rays and 6 behind the Boston Good Guys. Hankie Steinbrenner blamed the spate of injuries as the reason for his team's demise, but all teams have injuries during a 162 game season...that's why a deep ballclub like the Red Sox can stay successful. Boo-hoo to you, Hankie Pankie. I don't like you. Never did, never will. And I'm sure you'd think the same of me if we should ever meet, and that's just fine with me.

To my Constant Readers, simply click on the title of this post for more on last night's Fenway fun, and as always, BE WELL. Any and all comments will be answered, but you already know that. See ya!