Make It Four In A Row For The Red Hot Red Sox...Boston 6 Nationals 4. SMOLTZ GOES TONIGHT.

Powered by a fourth inning Big Papi blast to the centerfield stands, the Boston Red Sox ran their winning streak to four games with a nifty 6-4 victory over the Washington Nationals. The home run was estimated at 421 feet, a mammoth tater by anyone's standards. That's the Big Papi we know and love. He's got his confidence back and that bodes ill for all opposing pitchers. Winning pitcher Jon Lester spoke to reporters after the game and when the subject of Big Papi came up, well, read on...

“It was just a matter of time,” said starter and winner Jon Lester. “No one gave up on him one bit. We all knew what he was capable of doing. When he was struggling like he was, it was just a matter of squaring one ball up to get out of that funk. It’s nice to see the old David back, driving balls out of the park.”

Boston hitting coach Dave Magadan had this to say about the no longer struggling Red Sox DH...

“Basically what I saw the first two months was a guy who was just late,” Magadan said. “His pitch recognition wasn’t what it’s been throughout his career. He was chasing pitches through the zone. The homer he hit off A.J., that was 96. Before he wasn’t getting to 90. Now 96, boom, he’s ready to hit it.”

Second baseman MVP Dustin Pedroia also chimed in with these glowing words...

“He’s been swinging the bat well,” Dustin Pedroia said. “He’s got that confidence back, and that’s huge.”

When David Ortiz has that confidence, that certain swagger, he will crush the ball somewhere, someplace. He will give the Boston offense a HUGE jump start. Their lead in the AL East remains at five games over the Yankees and all eyes will be watching John Smoltz tonight. His first Red Sox start has been much anticipated because we all envision him to be an important cog in the Boston "pitching machine." I'll let him do all the talking...

“I have enough pitches to get hitters out,” said Smoltz. “When I have a baseball in my hands I can make a pitch and hopefully take the sting out of the bat. If that’s the case, we’ll progress and keep getting better every time out. Tonight is just one rung in the ladder to try and climb as far I can to see how good I can be and really, at the end of the day, be in a position to pitch in the playoffs.”

Playoffs, here we come (I hope).Good luck to you, John. We're ALL behind you and we will be watching tonight, shortly after 7pm EDT. To all my Constant Readers, simply click on the title of this post for more on the Red Sox. I thank you for stopping by and remember this, your comments are always welcome and always answered. See ya...soon. Promise. GO SOX. Forever.