Bay & Lowell Power Red Sox To Victory

Intense...that's the only adjective that fits. There were two outs in the ninth inning and Jonathon Papelbon was trying to hold on to a one run lead for Boston. The only problem? The bases were loaded and the Angel's Howie Kendrik was at the plate with a full count. He refused to be retired, fouling off seven staight pitches thrown by the Sox ace closer. On pitch number eight, Kendrik flied out to right to end the game. Mike Lowell, looking completely recovered from his hip problems, homered in the fifth inning to drive in two runs and knot the game at two. The Angels plated one run in the bottom of that frame to go up 3-2. That's where Jason Bay started doing "his thing." He clubbed a two run tater in the seventh and another solo shot in the ninth inning to earn a 5-4 victory for Boston. But it was nail-biting time in that Kendrik-Papelbon battle. Here's what Paps had to say about the seemingly endless pitcher/batter conflict...

“It was really intense. That was the ballgame,” said Papelbon, who finally got Kendrick on a tricky liner to right to close out a 5-4 victory Saturday. “After the sixth or seventh one, I was kind of giggling out there, `Is this really happening?’ It was one of those moments like, `Man, how many more foul balls is this guy going to hit?”’

The Boston manager, Terry Francona, had a few choice words about this way too tight game...

“That was the proverbial had ‘em all the way,” he said with a grin. “That was some kind of at-bat. To a true baseball fan—which, at the moment I wasn’t — that was an unbelievable at-bat by Kendrick. Every pitch, the game was in the balance.

Brad Penny won his first regular season start for the Sox, then Ramon Ramirez chipped in with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, keeping his ERA at a big fat goose egg. From there, it was needles and pins time for Papelbon but the good guys won and the ultimate Boston hero was leftfielder Jason Bay. It was nice to see a solid Penny, who will remain in the five slot as long as his shoulder problems of last year have seemingly vanished. I think Wakefield's days as a member of the starting rotation are dwindling...we should see John Smoltz take over the four position by June first. I can't wait.

In other AL East news, the Yankee's CC Sabathia dominated the KC Royals, going 7 2/3 scoreless innings in the Yankee's 6-1 victory. He needed a solid outing and he accomplished exactly that. But my goodness, it was nice to see the Sox earn their first road win, especially against the Angels. Today, Josh Beckett will be on the mound to try and take the rubber game of the set. He will face the Halo's Dustin Moseley. I have a good feeling about this one. Faith. Forever.

You can click on the title of this post for more on last night's left coast drama courtesy of the Boston Herald. I want to thank you for popping in. Please leave a comment if you'd like...I'll answer every one of 'em. As always, BE WELL. HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY EASTER Sunday. I'll be seeing you....every day, the good Lord willing. That's a promise.