Offense, Offense, Offense

Boston came out tonight with the bats off their shoulders and towards the ball. With young right hander Clay Buchholz on the mound, he needed confidence in the offense to give him a win.

Ever notice how commentators will speak of a batter at the plate and talk negative about him, and then all of a sudden that particular batter hits a bases clearing double or a home run? That is exactly what happened tonight. They talked about how Terry Francona has yet to see Adrian Beltre hit a home run in a game or spring training, well guess what, he belted a home run tonight at that exact moment. Boston came out swinging with Youkilis getting a run on the board with a solo shot first. Youkilis was followed by Bill Hall, Adrian Beltre, and Dustin Pedroia all hitting home runs tonight.

Boston capped off 17 runs in the game, the most runs all year, while collecting 20 hits. Boston was led by 6 doubles, 4 home runs and 10 singles. Much small ball being played once again. Mike Lowell came up big going 4 for 4 and JD Drew went 4 for 5. Lowell has been hitting the ball exceptionally well as of late, he and Jason Varitek.

I can never get through a post without complaining about the bullpen. Scott Schoeneweis came in for the top of the 9th inning with a 17-4 lead. 3 outs and we go home no biggy; yea right! He gives up 4 runs, 4 hits, and walks 2 before Boston gets the win. I am beginning to think it is just Schoeneweis after all. I can only hope he gets the boot and we can call up Micheal Bowden or Casey Kelly to get some reps in.

Boston has a 4 game series against the Angels this week followed by the Yankees coming into town. Tomorrows matchup will be Ervin Santana(1-2) against Jon Lester(1-2). Lester needs another great outing like his previous 2. Last outing Lester came away with 11 strikeouts.

Ellsbury can be back in about 10 days or so, and Mike Cameron looks to be back in about another 15-20 days. Francona needs to see what will happen with Lowell and Varitek swinging the bat quiet well as of late and Ortiz no so hot, although he did have a decent series against Baltimore.

Boston did gain a 1/2 game on the division leading Tampa Rays, however, Yankees and Toronto both won their games. Boston 5.5 out of first, needs for Baltimore to at least take 1 game from the Yankees and then win the series agains the Yankees when they come to Beantown.