LUGO Out 3-4 Weeks After Knee Surgery

Boston Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. He was batting .450 this spring in his battle with Jed Lowrie for the starting role at the six spot. Lowrie, meanwhile, is batting .429 and is leading the club in hits, doubles and triples. He will be the starting shortstop on Opening Day but after that, who knows? If he keeps hitting like that, he's a lock to start and stay. He went 2 for 3 in Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins, a game Boston won by a score of 9-5. Beckett had a rough four innings, Papelbon gave up a run and a hit in his one inning of work, Saito and Junichi Tazawa worked one and two scoreless innings respectfully and the Darkman, Hideki Okajima, gave up the last Twinkie run. The more I see Tazawa, the more I like him. He'll probably start the season at double A or in Pawtucket but so far in spring training he's been light's out. Here is that pitching summary...

BOSTON IP H R ER BB SO HR

J Beckett 4 6 3 3 1 3 0
J Papelbon 1 2 1 1 0 0 1
T Saito 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
H Okajima 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
J Tazawa 2 0 0 0 0 1 0

In the World Baseball Classic, Team USA rallied for a ninth inning come-from-behind 6-5 victory over Puerto Rico. David Wright hit a bases loaded ninth inning single inside the rightfield line and the American players mobbed him at home plate, just as if it was a World Series clinching victory. Kevin Youkilis, who had a home run and drew a bases loaded walk just before Wright came to the plate, was asked to compare this amazing win to his World Series memories. He said this...

“It’s right there with it, I think,” Youkilis said. “That excitement, that adrenaline rush. When you win the World Series, the dog-pile is just the same. You’re celebrating a game, you’re celebrating a nation and being with the United States and all the fans out there who were supporting us. You’re celebrating as a whole, and that’s what’s special about that.”

Great words, Kevin. If Team USA had lost, it would have marked the second time in a row that the finals, held this weekend in Los Angeles, would be without an American team. Great job, guys. SO CLUTCH.

If you click on the title of this very post, you'll be linked to the Boston Herald article about this memorable game, including a terrific picture of the players mobbing the hero, David Wright. I recommend it just for the picture alone! Have a wonderful Wednesday and as always, BE SAFE. L'chaim, cheers, shalom, aloha...see ya. Click on that title. Please.