Sox Win...Pedey Surgery

It was another good news/bad news Thursday for Red Sox Nation. I'll start with the good news. The Boston Red Sox, on the strength of a five run second inning, defeated the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 6-4. Daisuke Matsuzaka started for Boston but was booted out of the game after he gave up four runs in the sixth frame. The important thing is this...the Sox won the game. They crept to within six and a half games of the Tampa Bay Rays. They have much more work to do to qualify for October play but winning the last two games with the Birdies was big. Here's reliever Scott Atchison, who pitched well...

"We got off to a rough start on the road trip, but we were able to finish strong, win these last two. We got some momentum going and hopefully we can take it home, get on a big roll. You never know what can happen from there."

How about eight straight victories to get back in the hunt? Ten? Sounds good to me. Jonathon Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth and earned his thirty fifth save. Papelbon is the only pitcher in major league history to record at least 35 saves in each of his first five seasons. Congratulations go out to him big time. Boston returns home and will play a three game set against the Chicago White Sox. Manny WILL be in town. I wonder what kind of a response he'll get from the Fenway Faithful. It'll be loud, that's for sure, but it will be mixed at best. If you ask me, the cascade of boos will be deafening. The only people cheering for "Sir Manny" will be pale hose fans. Here are the pitching match-ups...

Fri. 3** CWS 7:10 PM ET WCIU/NESN** Buchholz (15-5) vs. Danks (12-9)
Sat. 4** CWS 7:10 PM ET CSN/NESN** Lackey (12-8) vs. Floyd (9-11)
Sun. 5** CWS 1:35 PM ET CSN/NESN** Beckett (4-4) vs. Buehrle (12-10)

OK, it's time for the bad news, and it's official as of yesterday. Dustin "Pedey" Pedroia WILL need surgery to insert a screw into the broken bone inside his foot. It never healed sufficiently and a screw will seal the crack until it has time (the entire off season) to heal completely. Here's Pedey...

"I woke up today and heard our team sources say I need surgery so, so I guess I'm going to have it. I don't know what the fuck is going on to be honest with you."

I'm sorry, I didn't delete the expletive because that's what he said. He also told the assembled reporters that he feels good. That's good.

In closing, I hope your Friday will be a great one and your holiday weekend memorable. Hurricane Earle has diminished in strength and will pass to the east of north central Connecticut (and Boston). All is safe. Click on this post's title for the highlights and lowlights of last night's game and as always, BE WELL.