SOX REBOUND FROM DISSAPOINTING LOSS

Nothing like a 17-1 victory over New York to make you cheer up after a dissapointing 8-6 loss in the ninth the night before. Second time we've beaten New York 17-1. This was a game we should have won though. With Wang, New York's best pitcher lately, having shoulder trouble, New York was forced to give the ball to a guy with a 9.10 ERA coming into that game. The Sox did make that ERA go up though. It is at 54.00 now. The only Sox that didn't get a hit were Olerud, Mirabelli, and Bellhorn. Olerud and Mirabelli were replacements and Bellhorn walked twice.

The Man of the Game is Johnny Damon who went 3 for 4 with a walk. He was 3 for 3 with that walk in his first four plate appearances. He extended his career high hit streak to 27 which ties him with DiMaggio. Domenic DiMaggio for the 5th longest hit streak in Red Sox history. To put in perspective how impressive Domenic's brother's streak was, Damon needs to get a hit tomorrow to be halfway there.

Little known fact: During Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hit streak in 1941, he had a batting average of .409. In the same stretch, Ted Williams batted .412. Despite batting .406 that year, Williams lost the MVP to DiMaggio partially due to several vindictive Boston sports writers (Dan Shaughnessey's of the 1940s) leaving him off their ballots.

Thursday's loss was dissapointing. Arroyo was dissapointing, Timlin once again dissapointed with runners on base, and Embree was left in too long perhaps. The pitching was once again the cause of the Red Sox defeat. Granted, the Sox bats could have added onto their lead more, but they shouldn't have to score 17 runs every night in order to be sure of victory. Come October, this pitching staff will cause my cigarette consumption to increase dramatically so buy stock in Phillip Morriss.

I think bringing Curt into a 6-6 game against the New York Yankees with Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield coming up was a questionable decision. To go from the Syracuse Sky Chiefs in games that are meaningless to the New York Yankees and a very meaningful game is quite a step up. It was a nice moment when he walked in but beyond that, the 9th inning truly sucked. However, I don't see what other option Francona had apart from allowing Timlin to continue. And it looks like Rivera is back to being Rivera. That's not good for anyone but New York.

We made Mussina work early and got to him for a few, but then he settled down and kept his pitch count manageable.

The Man of the Game Thursday is Gary Steroid who went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles and a homerun. He also walked. He scored twice and knocked in two. He didn't swing and miss at any fans during the game.

The Bitch-Goat shall be divided thusly:
Embree: 0.1 - 0.2 IP, ER
Timlin: 0.1 - Inherited runner scored
Arroyo: 0.4 - 5.2 IP, 4 ER, forced Francona to go to pen early
Schilling: 0.3 - IP, 2 ER
Bellhorn: 0.1 - 0 for 3, 2 K, 4 LOB (I miss Youkilis!!!)

Big matchup on Saturday as Matt Clement takes on Randy Johnson. Hopefully the Sox will continue Johnson's struggles.

DAVID WELLS SUSPENSION
Did anyone else not see this "contact" between Wells and the ump? Cuz I didn't. Did anyone else think the second base umpire had no right to toss Wells for arguing balls and strikes? I didn't. Did anyone else think Wells was unjustified with his anger at the second base umpire? I didn't. Did anyone else think six games was a good suspension and deserved to be handed down to Wells for a phantom bump on an umpire that was being confrontational? I didn't.

Weird twist of fate: Could Schilling pitch the game that Wells misses? That'd be weird considering Foulke going to the DL opened up a slot in the bullpen for Curt.