Fists Fly In Red Sox Win...Boston 7 Detroit 5

The Detroit Tigers jumped quickly to a 3-0 advantage Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Only one of those runs was earned off Red Sox starter Junichi Tazawa, who pitched well, well enough to stay right where he is. In the second, down by three runs, the fireworks started. Kevin Youkilis was facing Tiger starter Rick Porcello. He was hit on the back by a pitch and glared before rushing towards the mound like a middle linebacker. He threw his helmet at Porcello and tried to bring him down. That was when all hell broke loose. Boston GM Theo Epstein had this to say...

“He’ll be suspended, I’m sure,’’ general manager Theo Epstein acknowledged in the clubhouse after midnight. “He was thrown at. He’s been thrown at a lot. Hopefully, Major League Baseball suspension czar Bob Watson will take all the factors into consideration. Hopefully it will be for a short period and our depth will pull us through.’’

And here's the man himself, our very own Kevin "the bull" Youkilis...

“In the first inning there was a ball up on Victor,’’ said Youkilis. “Then I got a ball up and in on the numbers. Up high. It looked like there was intent there. Two days in a row, I get hit. It’s something I’ve never done before and never thought of doing. I lost my control there . . . I felt like I had to do what I had to do. I definitely regret it,’’ he said. “It’s on TV and kids see it . . . It just happened so fast. You don’t realize what you’re doing. I guess they’re saying it got the team going, but hopefully I’ll never have to get a team going like that. Hopefully, it’s the last time it will happen. At some point you’ve got to protect yourself,’’ said a somewhat chagrined Youkilis. “ . . . I let my emotions get the best of me.’’

Well said, Youk, and I mean that straight from my heart. With the hole in the lineup, Red Sox skipper Terry Francona called on Mike Lowell, who quickly did some stretching and entered the game. It was a good thing, a VERY good thing. He ended up becoming the first Boston player since 1967 to hit two home runs coming off the bench. That 1967 player was our third baseman, Joe Foy, who was SO much fun to watch. Yes, I remember, I really do. Mikey has missed 5 of the last 10 games even though he has been hotter at the plate than most of his teammates. We'll see more of him if his hip allows. It will.

Junichi Tawazawa pitched well, allowing three runs, only one earned because of a Nick Green error and a botched double play. As I said before, look for him on the mound every five days. Cabrera, Saito and Bard followed with scoreboard goose eggs and Jonathon Papelbon had his now normal two run ninth. No comment about Paps...not right now. The Sox won their second in a row and stay 5 1/2 games behind the pinstripers.

Tonight, Josh Beckett will try to make it three in a row. He'll face Detroit's Galarraga. May the force be with them. For more on last night's literal fireworks, just click on this post's title. You'll be zapped to the Boston Globe's Red Sox homepage, a source of endless delight. Have a great Hump Day Wednesday and as always, BE WELL. I'd love to read your comments. Thanks for stopping by...what would I do without you?