Pedey's Grab And Lester's Pitching Pave The Way For The Red Sox...Boston 6 Chicago 1

It was only five minutes into Sunday afternoon's game between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox when Sox second baseman Dustin "Pedey" Pedroia made a game-saving play. There were men on first and second with nobody out when Paul Konerko popped the ball up the rightfield foul line, a place where so many balls drop in for a base hit. It looked that way until Pedey sped there and caught the ball with his back turned towards third base. He spun and threw the ball, all in one motion, to Gonzo who was covering second to double up Podsednik. What could have been a bases-loaded no out first inning jam turned sweet. Here's the Red Sox shortstop with his take on Pedey's game-saver...

“It was a big play, man,” said shortstop Alex Gonzalez. “It’s kind of tough for the runner and he made a good play. A double play like that can give the pitcher motivation and Dustin made it today.”

Way to go, Pedey. Jon Lester was again brilliant, motivation and all. He has allowed 3 runs or fewer in 17 of his last 18 starts. Is he our co-ace? Oh yeah, if not our ace, PERIOD. He set the Red Sox club record for strikeouts in a season by a lefthanded pitcher yesterday, by the way. Daniel Bard, the young and still maturing lefty reliever who Boston should NEVER trade, had this to say about Mr. Lester's outing...

“Did you expect anything different?” Bard said. “He does it every time out. It seems like he strikes out nine, 10, 11 every start. He just has overpowering stuff. From the left side, there aren’t many guys in this league that can compare to him. Hitters don’t see a lot of guys like that. The results have been pretty good.

Pretty good? I'd say unbelievably good. His future is so bright. By the way, Boston gained a game on the Yankees in the AL East standings, as if that mattered, but more importantly gained a game on Texas and the Rays in the wild card race. They have a three game lead over that team from Texas. I don't care how they do it but they MUST be playing ball in October. Every game counts and this afternoon, there is another one. Mark Buehrle will face Boston's forgotton ace, Josh Beckett. Will Josh find his groove? If he would and could maintain it for the remainder of the regular and post-season, the Red Sox are a lock to join the "October club," the eight teams who are talented enough to advance to the post-season. I expect nothing else. Absolutely nothing.

Happy Labor Day. Have a safe and healthy holiday Monday before the normal daily routine resumes yet again tomorrow. The Red Sox-White Sox game starts at 2:05pm EDT...go Josh. Click on this post's title for more on the Boston Red Sox and as always, BE WELL. Thanks.