Lester Wildly Effective...VMART Clouts Two In Red Sox Win

It wasn't pretty but Jon Lester, with a TON of help from his catcher, Victor Martinez, defeated the Tampa Bays Rays by a score of 3-1 Friday night in the Sunshine State in front of 29,461 Rays fans, although some of the crowds down there, in fact, many of them, are Red Sox fans. Yankee haters all, I guess. Lester was wild but Victor seemed to get to almost all the bounced offerings, not to mention those WAY off the plate. Boston manager Terry "Tito" Francona had these glowing words for VMart...

“I thought Victor caught the game of his life. He was all over the place tonight. He did a great job. There was a lot of good things that happened tonight.’’

And many of them stemmed from the play of Victor Martinez, who might have played his best all-around game wearing a Red Sox uniform. Lester was just wild enough to be effective. The Rays only managed that one run and had only three hits. Jon had wonderful well-deserved words of praise for his catcher...

“Victor does a great job of controlling the game, controlling the tempo and giving you breaks when he thinks you need them,’’ Lester said. “He had his work cut out for him tonight. I bounced some balls, trying to bury pitches. He did a great job blocking balls and keeping them in front. A lot of times things get overlooked on how good a catcher he is because he doesn’t throw a lot of guys out. But that’s more a stat for us pitchers than catchers. I think as good a defensive catcher he is gets overlooked.’’

After watching him shine last night, I heartily agree. The AL East race narrowed as not only the Rays but the NY Yankees went down to defeat. AJ Burnett, as is his want, just didn't have it. Boy, it's either all or nothing at all with him. That's OK, I don't mind (snicker snicker). Pitching for the Boston Red Sox tonight is our best pitcher, Clay Buchholz, the hottest pitcher in all of major league baseball, bar none. He'll face Matt Garza. Buchholz gives the Sox a TREMENDOUS shot at taking the first two games of this crucial series. Frankly, I'd be shocked if he lost. The only way that could happen is if Boston scores only two runs or less. That ain't going to happen. No way no how.

I hope every one of you has a terrific weekend. It's a slowly brightening morning here in north central Connecticut with temperatures around 50 degrees F. Comfortable sleeping weather. Oh yes, perfect. In fact, I had to close the bedroom window in the middle of the night. It was a prime example of nature's air conditioning. Oh, I almost forgot. Click on this post's title for all the details and video highlights from last night's game and as always, BE WELL.