Stop Joshing Around! Boston 6 Toronto 5

The game Friday night at soggy Fenway Park began with an off & on light drizzle that turned into a persistant rain in the later innings. Josh Beckett had far from his best stuff and didn't figure in the decision. Okajima earned that honor. But the play of the day belonged to our captain, Jason Varitek. With the Blue Jays about to score the go-ahead run before the skies opened in the eighth, Varitek blocked home plate like a Jersey barrier to cut down 245 pound heavyweight Travis Snider and lift the Red Sox to a 6-5 victory.

“He’s a warrior, man,” said pitcher Daniel Bard, who was saved the run. “He’s intimidating when you see him walking out in his full gear and that’s exactly why. He’s a competitor and that’s the reason the Red Sox still want him here, because he does stuff like that for the team. That’s not going to show up in the stats or be in the box score tomorrow, but that’s as big a play as you could ask for tonight. Unbelievable,” Bard said. “His foot was maybe six inches in front of the plate and the foot didn’t move. It didn’t move an inch. It looked like Snider could have broken his shin. I guess he’s OK, because he stayed in the game, but I looked at the replay and the way Snider hit, I’m guessing he’s got some ice on it now.”

And the captain chipped in with this. After all, he, with a great throw from Gonzo, made last night's victory possible...

“It all started with J-Bay getting the ball to Alex and Alex getting the ball to me and they were all good throws,” Varitek said. “You can’t do anything without a good throw. I felt like my foot was down solid,” Varitek said. “I knew there was a chance.”

W love you, Jason. So, all's well that ends well. The Texas Rangers lost so Boston's wild card lead is up to 2 1/2 games. The Red Sox will be there in October, ready to spank the Yankees. Josh Beckett will regain his mid-season invulnerability and all will be well in Red Sox Nation.

At 7:10pm ET, the two teams will do it all over again. It'll be Buchholz verses Romero. Let's hope the Sox can keep winning as we quickly approach the lovely month of September. October happens to be my favorite of all, but September is special, too. I thank you for popping in and you can click on this post's title for more Red Sox coverage ala Sports Illustrated. As always, BE WELL. Have a terrific weekend. GO SOX.