RED SOX FLYING HIGH

Very good win for the Red Sox. Offensive contributions from all the hitters, a great start from Arroyo and a bullpen that didn't allow the Indians back into the game. The bats did it with power with a pair of homers from Ortiz and one from Manny. They were also able to put together hits to score runs, and in the 2nd they actually produced a run by running around the bases. Yes, running the bases.

Manny and Ortiz have looked like they did last year. Combined today they went 5 for 9 with 3 homers, 6 RBI, and 4 runs scored. The bottom of the order also contributed with 3 runs scored by the bottom 4 of the lineup and 2 RBI from Mark Bellhorn. Only Renteria was held hitless among the starters but he reached base with a walk and on an error. He also stole his 4th base.

The Man of the Game is David Ortiz. Arroyo had it until he gave up that run in the 7th. DO went 3 for 4 with a pair of homers, 4 RBI, a Sac-Fly, and 3 runs scored.

The Orioles beat the Blue Jays 9-5, the Yankees are beating Tampa Bay 20-11 mostly due to a 13 run 8th inning. The story that will get lost in this game is Randy Johnson's 3 inning, 7 earned run outing. All the New York fans on ESPN will be saying that this is the game that the Yankees will build on in order to win. However, I'm sure if the Red Sox had a 13 game homestand, they'd be winning alot. And I'm sure once the Mets come to the Bronx and the Yankees have to go to Baltimore, their winning will cease.

I WANT THIS GUY:

Danys Baez. Former starter, current closer. He's been a closer for 2+ seasons now with Tampa Bay and Cleveland. He's 27 years old, can throw alot of innings, and is wasting his talent in Tampa. The D-Rays and Red Sox might be hesitant to trade within the division but the Devil Rays don't need this guy and we do. This is his last guaranteed year with Tampa. He makes $3.5M this year and the team has a $4M option for next season. If Tampa Bay continues with their philosophy of the past 3-5 seasons, they'll be looking to cut payroll wherever they can.

I think Baez would be a great set-up man. Like Allan Embree, his is a fastball pitcher. Unlike Allan Embree, he still has a fastball clocked in the mid to upper 90's. Baez is also durable. Last year he made 62 appearances. He's appeared in 10 non-save situations this season so he might be willing to pitch for us for a few months in a set-up role.

The Red Sox need to do something to help their beleagured pen. Clement, Miller, Wells, Arroyo, and Wakefield won't be going 7-8 innings every night. We all saw what happened when Wells could only go 5. We will get some relief in the bullpen when Schilling gets back and somebody goes out to the bullpen, but we still need a set-up guy that is dependable. We need a replacement for Allan Embree. He doesn't have to be a lefthander either because of Myers' presence. Embree could then move into a middle relief role and if he still can't find his velocity, he can be released.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Even when this game was 9-4, I was still worried. Because the bullpen had to get 12 outs. That's alot for this group. For some reason, Francona figured Embree could pitch 3 days in a row. Embree needs to be relegated to mop up duty until he figures out how to pitch again because right now he is killing us.

Thankfully, Johnny Damon had a huge homer in the 9th and made a great running catch in the bottom of the inning to allow Foulke to escape the game.

Millar might be slipping back into his slump with an 0 for 4. Renteria had his weekly 2 hit game. Bill Mueller has begun to hit as well as he is capable of. He went 2 for 4 and his average is up to .291.

The Man of the Game is Manny Ramirez who went 3 for 5 with a single, double, and a homerun. He had 4 RBI and scored twice. I know he got thrown out trying to extend a basehit into a double but he had a great offensive game without which we would have been toast.