And suddenly, just like that, the Sox are on a roll again.

Winners of three straight now, the Sox got to Justin Masterson for four runs in the first, six runs through six, and then knocked Dan Wheeler around for six more runs in the eighth.

Will Middlebrooks was back in top form, singling home a run in the first and then launching a rocket over the Monster that may have taken someone's head off had they been unlucky enough to be in its path. Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 3-for-4 with a homer of his own, and both Daniel Nava and Adrian Gonzalez managed a pair of doubles.

Daniel Bard wasn't great--no question about that. He continues to struggle with control, and only struck out two batters in six innings of work. But a key double play saved the one-run third from becoming a much more damaging frame, and he managed to provide six innings of productive if unimpressive baseball.

After him, Rich Hill looked like the Rich Hill of 2011 in a two strikeout inning, and Albers and Atchison had little more trouble in finishing the game with two more scoreless innings.

The Mariners come to town next. Hopefully the Sox will keep it going against their West Coast competition.