Manny didn't get much crap when he started off the year pretty slow and along the same line, he's not getting much credit now that he's on fire. I guess we all just expect Manny to be Manny and always hit the crap out of the ball. Either way, that was a great time for a grand slam. Wakefield wasn't fantastic, but got the job done and Timlin came on for a 1-2-3 9th. What more can you ask for.
There were a couple of bits of news about the pitching staff tonight. Keith Foulke is headed to the DL with a knee injury and will be out 4-6 weeks. Curt Schilling hopes to make his return soon and when he does it will be out of the bullpen. Schilling's ankle won't allow him to repeat his delivery 100 times a start so working from the bullpen for an inning or two at a time will be the most effective way to use him. Scott Casidy has been called up from Pawtucket to take Foulke's spot on the roster. Cassidy was pretty effective out of the bullpen for the Paw Sox with a 3.81 ERA over 59 IP with a 9.9 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 0.6 HR/9. The 29 year old has a 5.73 ERA in 66 major league innings.
Tonight the chances look pretty decent for the Sox as Matt Clement (9-2, 3.82) takes on Chan Ho Park (8-2, 5.50). Clement was knocked around in his last start, but he should come back fighting tonight. Park has a great W/L record, but that has obviously been helped by some serious run support. Let's hope that Clement doesn't allow that run support to happen tonight.