500th Consecutive Fenway Sellout A Good One For The Sox...Boston 6 Florida 1

Eleven innings, zero earned runs and ninety five to ninety eight miles per hour fastballs...those are the stats for Boston's Brad Penny in his last two starts. Wednesday night at Fenway Park, he was the winning pitcher in Boston's 6-1 victory over the visiting Florida Marlins. It was the 500th consecutive sellout at the old but charming ballpark, a major league sports record. Not bad, Fenway Faithful, not bad at all. Be proud.

Brad Penny was the star of the night. He has improved with every start and is a valuable piece of the soon-to-be six man Boston rotation. Kudos have to go out to the Red Sox training staff. They've brought Penny back from the brink of extinction. He said this after the game...

“The last two games, back to back, have been the best I’ve felt probably over five years,” said Penny, bothered by shoulder problems last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I just think the shoulder program they got me on here when I came over, these guys worked their butt off. I finally watched them and followed what they’re doing. It’s incredible. I really believe if I hadn’t signed here I wouldn’t be pitching.”

We're SO glad you're feeling terrific and you're pitching for the Good Guys from New England. You have become irreplaceable, as has the Red Sox bullpen, the best there is. Penny exited after five great innings without allowing an earned run and then it was Masterson, Okajima, Ramirez and Papelbon, in a non-save situation, putting goose eggs up on the scoreboard. Pedroia and Big Papi had multiple hit games to lead the offensive attack. Right now, the Red Sox are running on all cylinders and tonight they will go for the series sweep with one of their best pitchers. Jon Lester will face Ricky Nolasco, who is 2-6 with a hefty 7.52 ERA. Gametime is at 7:10pm EDT. Let's look for a win in the 501st consecutive sellout. Coupled with the Yankees embarassing loss to the Nats last night, the Boston lead in the AL East is now at three games. Can you say four? I can say four. Loudly.

As always, take care of yourself and BE WELL. You can click on this post's title for more Sox news from the Boston Globe homepage. Have a great Thursday. See you...soon, if not before. Your comments are highly anticipated and always answered.