Was It A Dream?

The Red Sox won a one run game? Manny came through in the clutch? Dice-K pitched into the 8th? The bullpen didn’t allow inherited runners to score?

Am I in the Twilight Zone?

After this past week and a half, including a tragic 3-7 road trip, home cooking was exactly what the Red Sox needed. Any fan had to figure that with the Twinkies coming to town, the bats would wake up and the Sox would start hitting again.

In fact the Little Second Baseman That Could, Dustin Pedroia, has been the only thing that you could call consistent in the lineup. Little Dusty extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a HUGE double in the 8th which led to the only run in the game. Your boy Manny came through in the clutch driving in the only run of the game for his 54th RBI.

The real shock was Francona going to Okie-Dokey with runners on first and second. He’s had problem with inherited runners and promptly walked the first guy he faced. That’s about when I was going to shut off the TV sensing the impending doom, but I stuck with it and he got out of the inning.

Papelmania came out for the ninth and did what he’s supposed to, retiring the side in order. Sox win 1-0 and are now just 4 games behind the Rays. That still feels funny to write, but I like the Rays becoming a good team. Sure they have no real fans but I like the small payroll clubs sticking it to the high payrolls.

Just a reminder that today’s the last day of extra voting for the All Star game. Rays rookie Evan Longoria is leading the early vote for the final AL roster spot, followed by Jermaine Dye, Jason Giambi, Brian Roberts and Jose Guillen. Let’s make sure that Giambi and his porn-stache don’t make the team. Vote for Longoria, he deserves it.