Red Sox Increase Lead

While we were watching the Rangers lose to Seattle, 4-2, last night, the Red Sox totally dominated the White Sox, 11-3 and 10-1.

Josh Beckett became the first 16 game winner in the MLB, as he got the win in the first game. And, as is the style of Boston, there was only one home run in that game, by Jason Varitek in the ninth inning. That's something I have noticed about the Red Sox this year, as they have rolled like a well-oiled machine over the MLB throughout this season. They have done it playing what many call "small-ball." They methodically defeat their opponents while mostly keeping the ball in the park. In fact, if you look at the team stats, the Red Sox are way down in the middle of the pack in the home run column. As is normal, some of the worst teams are leading the majors in home runs, such as the Cincinatti Reds, who are only a little better than the Texas Rangers (however, they are only 8 games out of first in their division).

The Red Sox are even in fourth place in total runs, almost a full 100 runs behind the Evil Empire, who lead the league in runs. The reason for that is that the Yankees tend to win games by really large margins.

Anyway, in the second game, Curt Schilling dominated over six innings, as they won 10-1. This game featured three home runs, two by Papi and one by Youk. Incidentally, the Chicago pitcher in game two was none other than John Danks. Rangers fans will remember him as part of the infamous "DVD" package that Hickman and the Boy Wonder weren't ever going to sell off or trade, because they were supposed to be the salvation of the Rangers.

How's that workin' out for you Hicks?? Lessee...you finally traded Danks and got um....Brandon McCarthy for him. Probably ok, because Danks has floundered in Chicago (Danks never got a major league start for the Rangers, by the way). Edinson Volquez (or however he spells his first name this year) has been just short of horrible (he has gotten several opportunities to start for the Rangers). He was the "V" portion of DVD. And Thomas Diamond, the other "D," well, he has spent this season on the disabled list and we have yet to see him start in the big show, either. This continues to cement in my mind that Jon Daniels, the Boy Wonder, has no clue what he is doing. By Hicks thinks he is doing just fine. I wonder if Tom Hicks actually watches the Rangers.

Ah, but this blog is celebrating the success of the Red Sox yesterday. 'Nuf Ced about the Rangers. (And someday, I will post a blog relating the fascinating story of "Nuf Ced" McGreevey and the Royal Rooters.)

Also, while we were watching the aforementioned badly failing team, the Evil Empire was in Detroit, watching it rain. For four hours! For some reason, the refused to call off this game, so it began about the time ours was hitting the ninth inning. Sometime between 9 and 10pm, Central time. Almost four and a half hours later, Carlos Guillen hit a walkoff three run homer to win the game for Detroit. Hehehe...I bet the Evil Empire wishes they had called that game for rain. And poor, poor Roger Clemens. Denied another win. But he didn't get the loss, because they were tied up until the bottom of the 11th inning! So....after a four hour rain delay, they wound up playing extra innings. I'm not sure what time this game finally ended. But these guys had to have been exhausted...that's over 8 hours, and four spent sitting around watching it rain.

Bottom line...the Red Sox increased their lead by a game and a half, putting them 6.5 ahead of the Evil Empire.

It was a good day.

And Stephanie got her face on the big video board at Rangers Ballpark after the 5th inning, during the "Birthday Parade." Cool. We have a picture. As soon as I figure out how to get it in this blog, I'll post it. Or I'll just post it on flickr and put a link in.

Mmm....I think the coffee's ready.

TTFN, y'all!