Mom, I Think We Can Take The Battery Off The Charger (26-22)

Last night, the Red Sox played a good pitcher's duel against the Indians, beating them 4-2 largely based on the performance of Josh Beckett and Jason Varitek. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Indians took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Ezequiel Carrera. After the Red Sox put runners on first and third with one out to start the third, Jed Lowrie knocked a sacrifice fly onto the warning track, tying the game at 1-1. The Red Sox took the lead, however, on an RBI double down the right field line to make it 2-1. In the top of the 7th, Jason Varitek hit a shot around the right field foul pole, scoring David Ortiz, and making it 4-1 Red Sox. The Indians got a run back on a home run by Travis Buck, to make it 4-2, but it was not nearly enough.

Josh Beckett (top right) was fantastic, allowing just a run and 5 hits through 6 2/3 strong innings. He earned the win, and is now 4-1/1.69/58, as he is actually leading the league in ERA. Rich Hill came in and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, before Jonathan Papelbon allowed 1 run in the 9th, but earned his 9th save of the season. Adrian Gonzalez only went 1-4, but the hit was that big 2

-run double, his 42nd RBI of the year. David Ortiz had a good game, going 2-4 with a run scored, and raising his batting average up to a .302 mark. Jason Varitek (left) had a great day, going 1-3 with a big 2-run homer, making him .203/1/7 on the season, and even threw out two stealing baserunners. In tonight's ballgame, Jon Lester (6-1/3.68/63) will go against Mitch Talbot (1-0/1.46/11).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- one run in 6 2/3 innings, earning the win

Rich Hill- 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-4 with a big RBI double

David Ortiz- 2-4 with a run scored

Jason Varitek- 1-3 with a 2-run homer and 2 potential baserunners thrown out

Dull Spots:

J.D. Drew- 0-4 with a strikeout

Drew Sutton- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts

I am glad that the Sox won, and that Beckett is really getting his career back on track.