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Summary:

Jennings v. Lester

Woohoo and whatnot. Jon Lester threw 6 innings. I threw a little party for him last night, on behalf of that. Good work by the 'pen as well, with J-Lo, MDC, Timlin and Paps combining for three scoreless innings after Lester left. Hitting-wise, Dustin, Papi, and especially "Being" threw down the other night. Manny just keeps on hitting for us in big moments, answering the question we all wondered about just what might've happened 2003-2006 if Papi didn't come through every single time.

Millwood v. Wake

First of all, Wake was ridiculously efficient. Averaging about 2.7 pitches per inning, several innings were over before the infielders and outfielders were actually through warming up. The Rangers were jumping on pitches, exhibiting no patience, and actually were fairly successful doing so. They were able to get their 7 hits in bunches, and combined with two of those hits being HRs, scored 5 off of Wake by the 6th inning. If you caught the game thread, you know a lot of us were pretty despondent. In retrospect, I suppose I'm not sure why. I think it's that the runs scored off of HRs, which always seem like more than they really are. Nevertheless.

...so what happened? 2 runs in the 7th, run-scoring singles by Papi and Drew brought us to within 3. We entered the 8th inning, and the magic really began. All with 2 outs: Tacoby 1B, Jed Lowrie 2B (5-3), Papi 1B (5-4), DP PH 2B (5-5), Youks IBB, Drew BB, Casey BB (5-6). Kevin Cash, who made the first out of the inning, also made the third, and Paps came on for the save, though it wasn't the most relaxed save he's ever given us.

Players of the Gamez:

Jennings v. Lester

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Who else, really?

Millwood v. Wake

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Thank you, Yahoo! Images. This way I don't have to choose. Also, good job Jed Lowrie.

Comment-mania:

GIDP - Now Papi is trying to make Lugo look good. There’s a lot of love going on in this team. :) - MerryGoByeBye

There's no element of surprise. I'm just watching our inexorable march towards yet another amazing win.Tedious is hardly the word. - britsoxfan (Proper context: We were still down 5-2, and there were 2 outs in the 8th inning with only one runner on.)

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I will remain calm. I will trust in David Ortiz at all times. 

I will remain calm. I will trust in David Ortiz at all times.

I will remain calm. I will trust in David Ortiz at all times.

Summary:

"Everything's groovy."

Y'know, it's amazing what an opposite-field HR at Fenway Park will do for people. I was having a not-great night at work, and Baseball Tonight comes on the big-screen, and there's David at the plate, with runners on base. He popped up got a big hit, and I have to admit to immediately thinking that it was a replay from last season or something. Nope. Current. Tonight. Sweetness. Still got a long way to go before he, I, or us will feel completely comfortable, I imagine. 

Daisuke should watch more Beckett starts. His start would've been pretty good if he had allowed himself to pitch a little longer. The 2008 Red Sox middle relief was up to the task, after Daisuke exited, with J-Lo, Aardsma, and Timlin picking up where he left off.

Jed Lowrie is doing his best to force the Sox into a tough decision, eh? Yeah, it probably won't happen, but I have to imagine several more 2-3, 2B, SF-type performances will make the FO think long and hard about who plays SS in Boston. At the very least, I think the Sox will be less likely to overwork Youks while Lowell is out.

Player of the Game:

...duh?

Comment of the Game:

I've got an idea. Why don't you stop panicking? -RickD

Grand Salami, eh? And Allen was ready to put Papi out to pasture -tommy

...I stand corrected. And apologize for the lack of gamethread. My fault completely, as Randy is enjoying a well-deserved vacation.

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The 2007 World Series MVP is on the shelf for a little bit. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list before last night's game prompting the Sox to call up prospect Jed Lowrie from Pawtucket. With that, how's this Sox lineup supposed to shake out?

The Red Sox have veteran Sean Casey on the bench for these type of situations. With the mobile Kevin Youkilis able to shift over to third base, it seems like a no-brainer to just slide Casey into the lineup. But does anyone else feel like we need to give Lowrie the bulk of the playing time with Lowell is on the disabled list?

We know what Casey can do; he doesn't need to prove anything to Sox fans or baseball fans. Lowrie, though, has a prime opportunity right now to get his name out there and make a big splash.

If we look at this position-by-position, I'd take Lowrie defensively over Youkilis at third base. Youkilis is a great gloveman but he is much more valuable at first base than at third base. Youk can play third, but we know his specialty is digging the balls at first. If we had the luxury, I'd never move him from first base ... ever (Remember the outfield fiasco awhile back? That was ugly).

Lowrie has range at third base. He's actually a middle infielder (shortstop, second -- choose your poison) with a pretty strong cannon for a little guy. I have no doubts he could be a successful third baseman at the major league level.

At first, Youkilis wins the job defensively hands-down. Casey isn't a slacker over there, but c'mon -- we all know Youk is the best of the best at first base. If we have the best of the best, we need that guy to actually be there, too.

The issue comes down to offensive production. Casey has a long career behind him of solid production for MLB teams. Lowrie, not. But like rookies before him, Lowrie could come up and set the world on fire. And if it's only for 15 days then I think the rook can do it. Even if he doesn't go on a 15-game hitting streak after his callup, I want to see what he can do in Fenway Park and other big boy ballparks.

I cast my vote for Lowrie at third base and Youkilis at first base until Lowell is healthy enough to come back. Do I hear a second?