Papi powers Sox to series win vs. Oakland

Sox 5, Oakland 0
WP: Lester (1-1)
LP: Embree (0-1)
SV: None
HRs: Bos- Papi (1), Tek (1)

Superstar: Big Papi 2-4, R, BB, 2BI, HR
Ortiz finally broke out of his 0-11 slump, first with a single in the 5th and then in a more Papi-like way with a 2-run bomb in the top of the 7th. His shot gave the Sox all the runs they would need to win the game and the series and put to rest any doubts that despite several injuries and surgeries Papi will still be Papi.

At last he's back where he belongs - in this category and not the next one.

The Biggest Loser: Manny 0-4, BB, 2K, GIDP, 6LOB
He left 2 men on base in the 1st and 5th innings when he whiffed both times, then grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to end the 8th. In between he failed to budge from home plate when he smashed a deep drive to center following Papi's homer, proving that despite several signs to the contrary, Manny will still be Manny.

Just a flat out awful game for ManRam.

RECAP:
Jet lag, what jet lag?

Boston continues to stifle any talk that the opening trip to the Far East and the West Coast will diminish its ability to successfully defend its title as the Sox swept the two games in Oakland thanks to a quality start by Jon Lester and another big, timely hit from David Ortiz.

Coming off a dreary performance in Japan Lester (6.2IP, 3H, 3BB, 3K) pitched a solid game, allowing just a pair of singles and a double in 6+ innings of work. Although he walked three batters he was bailed out when his teammates turned 3 double plays, including a catch & throw to first by J.D. Drew to nail Mike Sweeney to end the fifth.

Unfortunately I didn't get to see most of the first six innings since the start time for this one didn't coincide with my work schedule, but by following it on ESPN GameCast it seemed as if this one was shaping up to be a heartbreaking loss due to a number of missed opportunities by the Boston offense.

Oakland starter Rich Harden (5IP, 4H, 4BB, 6K) wasn't nearly as effective as he was in Japan in Game 2 of the series, but he still kept the game scoreless before giving way to the pen to start the 6th. The Sox loaded the bases in the first with no outs before Harden fanned Manny & Lowell and got J.D. Drew to--what else--ground out to first in his first at bat of the 2008 season to squelch the threat, then Harden worked out of a 2-on, 2-out jam in the 5th when he caught ManRam looking at strike three.

Boston would load the bases again in the 6th against Andrew Brown and had four men reach base in the inning, two on HBPs, yet still couldn't score thanks to a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play and fielder's choice grounder by Pedroia, but in the 7th Boston and Papi would finally break through and score all the runs they would need to take this series.

Lucky for me that's right when I got home from work and turned on the trusty Extra Innings feed.

Youk (2-4, R, BI) got the party started with a hustle double to left center, then stood and watched as Ortiz launched Alan Embree's second pitch high and deep over the wall in right center for his first homer and RBIs of the season, and just like that Papi's early season slump was over and the so was the game.

The Sox would tack on a few insurance runs to take the pressure off the pen, two in the 8th on five consecutive base hits, including RBI singles by Pedroia (2-5, BI) and Youk, and a single run in the 9th on a solo shot by Cap'n Tek, runs that allowed Tito to rest his closer and get Manny Delcarmen his 2nd appearance of the season.

Now the team will head toward home to play a game in the Eastern time zone for the first time this season when they open a 3-game set against the Jays in Toronto Friday night. After two games at 6:00 am , one at 10:00 pm and one at 3:30 in the afternoon, it will be nice to sit in front of the set and see the Sox playing meaningful baseball games at a normal hour of the day.

What a quaint idea.

NOTES:

Youk's the man at 1st base: When he fielded Jack Cust's grounder with two outs in the 9th and beat him to the bag it was an appropriate way for Youk to end this game; he became the all-time record holder in consecutive error less games played at the position, besting Steve Garvey's mark of 193 games in a row. In honor of the achievement the As gave him the first base bag as well as the ball, which should both be headed to Cooperstown. Throw in the fact that he got two more hits and is now batting a robust .400 on the season and it appears the legend of Youk, along with his goatee, is only going to continue to grow.

Drew's back is back: After sitting out the first three games of the season with back spasms, J.D. Drew returned to the lineup and played right field, and as usual he had an interesting game. He was 1-5 with a single, struck out twice including once leading to a double play, and nailed a runner at first for an outfield assist. Fitting his first at bat of the season resulted in a ground out to the left side of the infield. Some things will never change, playoff grand slam or no.

Hit Show: for the second time in the series the Sox reached double digits in hits (13), with every starter except Manny & Lowell notching at least one and 6 players (Pedroia, Youk, Papi, Tek, Coco, Cora) racking up a pair of hits apiece.

Altered states: With the day game today and an off day tomorrow, Francona mixed up the lineup today, sitting Jacoby Ellsbury and Julio Lugo in favor of Coco Crisp and Alex Cora. The moves paid off as the two replacements combined to get on base 6 times with 4 hits, a walk and a HBP.

Beckett set for Sunday: more good news for the club came when Josh Beckett pitched in a minor league game and was declared ready to start his season Sunday against Roy Halladay and the Jays in Toronto. It just so happens that game will be the first on TBS' new slate of Sunday afternoon games, and it should help the upstart net garner nice ratings for a game this early in the season.

UP Next: Friday @ Toronto 715EST (yay!)