Becket's Pitching And Varitek HRs Power Boston Win...Boston 3 Minnesota 1

The Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins played in a superbly pitched baseball game Thursday afternoon in Minnesota. Jason Varitek smashed solo home runs in the fifth and seventh innings to power the Red Sox to a 3-1 lead. Co-star of the game Josh Beckett was at his best for seven full innings, allowing that one run on only three hits while striking out eight. He was dominant, to say the least, the Josh Beckett who will lead this team to post season play with a little help from his friends.

But the game was not without its fireworks. In the top of the seventh, Twinkie's catcher Mark Redmond and manager Ron Gardenshire were tossed for arguing Jeff Bailey's safe call at the plate, giving the Sox their final margin of victory. But the tumult was not over...not by a long shot. In the bottom of the seventh, Josh Beckett throught he was being squeezed by substitute Triple A ump Todd Tichenor. He yelled something from the mound, something "that can't be heard on television," according to Josh, and Varitek got in Tichenor's face immediately. Tito Francona, who had to be examined in the clubhouse after the game by a team of EMTs with a stretcher, rushed out to aid his captain but both were ejected. He said this after the game...

"I thought Tichenor was making it hard on Beckett," Francona said after praising his starter. "I know Beckett yelled in. Tek's protecting Beckett, and I'm protecting Tek. He got Tek, and that's what I didn't want to have happen. I'm not fast enough to get out there in time. I'd rather him throw me out than Tek. Tek's going to have a hell of a lot more to do with the outcome than I am. Sometimes you have to state your opinion."

Francona's blood pressure was sky high but he was OK to fly to Canada with his team, thank God. He's the best and he cares for his guys, almost too much. It was a Boston Red Sox win and they take over sole position of first place with a half game lead over the pinstripers, who shall remain nameless. Here are the three game pitching matchups. Notice that we'll miss seeing Roy Halladay once again. Phew! Here you go...

Tim Wakefield vs. Casey Jannsen...7:07pm EDT Friday night
Brad Penny vs. Brian Tallet...7:07pm EDT Saturday night
Jon Lester vs. Ricky Romero...1:35pm EDT Sunday afternoon

That's it for this Friday morning, a cool and rainy one here in north central Connecticut. Enjoy the day and your weekend. I'll be here first thing in the morning, if not before. I'd love to read and respond to your comments and remember, simply click on the title of this post for more Boston Red Sox news. As always, BE WELL. See you...soon.