Welcome to the party, Bart! Sox defeat KC again

Sox 6, Roylas 3
WP: Colon (1-0)
LP: Tomko (2-5)
SV: None
HRs: BOS-Ellsbury (4), Tek (7), KC-None

RECAP:
The Red Sox keep right on rolling, even with a reclamation project on the mound as Bartolo Colon won his first start for Boston thanks to a 12-hit attack that included home runs from Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the game and Jason Varitek to tie it before Boston broke the game open.

SUPERSTAR: Colon 5IP, 6H, 2ER, 2BB, 4K, 74P
From the scrap heap to a spot in a World series caliber rotation. Colon may have resurrected his career tonight and in the process provided Boston with another veteran arm to bolster its staff for a potential long postseason run.

THE BIGGEST LOSER: Mark Grudzielanek 0-4
Grudz came into this series leading the league in hitting, but after his latest 0-fer he has no hits in 10 at bats in the three games and his average has dropped 24 points (.331-.307)

RECAP:
Another night, another win for the Red Sox express.

With the third straight impressive performance by an unlikely Boston starter it doesn't seem to matter whose driving the train as long as it stays pointed in the right direction.

And that direction is atop the AL East standings.

With the win tonight coupled with Tampa Bay's loss earlier today in Oakland the Sox now own a 2 game advantage over the Rays in the standings and a huge psychological edge over the entire league thanks to its recent run of outstanding pitching.

First Jon Lester shocked the Nation with his no hitter Monday. Then Justin Masterson's terrific performance earned him his first career victory last night. And tonight it was Bartolo Colon's turn to get a piece of the action as he made his first start for Boston, and first anywhere since last September 29th with Anaheim.

Next thing you know Roidger's gonna wanna come back and get in on the fun.

Bart, who suffered elbow and shoulder injuries the past two seasons, was not the same fire balling ace who won the Cy Young award in 2005, but he was effective enough to limit the free-swinging Royals to six measly singles, most of them of the blooper variety and including one bunt base hit.

He quickly learned how valuable his offense is as well because he very easily could've taken a loss or ND tonight if not for the relentless determination of the Boston batters.

After working his way out of a two-on, two out situation in the top of the first, Jacoby Ellsbury staked Colon to a quick 1-0 lead when he led off the bottom of the inning with his 4th home run against KC starter Brett Tomko (4.1IP, 7H, 5ER, 1BB, 2K, 2HR).

The Royals would strike back for a run in the third on a single by Joey Gathright (2-2, 3R, 2BB), a walk to Alex Gordon and a broken bat single to left by Jose Guillen, his first hit of the series, and then KC used a bunt and two bloops to take a 2-1 lead in the fifth.

But just when it looked as if the big fella wouldn't walk off the Fenway mound a winner in his debut, on comes Captain Varitek to save the day.

Following a pop out by Youk, Tek (2-3, R, BI, BB) fell behind 0-2 before he drove a 1-2 pitch from Tomko into the Sox bullpen for his 7th homer of the year and 3rd in the last six games, and suddenly the game was tied and Colon was off the hook for the 'L'.

And it just got better from there as Boston broke the game open as Coco Crisp doubled to left center, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Julio Lugo's sharp single up the middle to make it 3-2 Boston.

Not content to stop there Ellsbury (3-4, 3R, BI, BB, SB) drove Tomko from the game with a single to left, and after Dustin Pedroia singled to load the bases off ex-Sox reliever Ron Mahay, another pair of runs came home on a sac fly by David Ortiz and wild pitch of his own by Mahay.

When the dust settled it was 5-2 Boston, Colon's night was done and it was up to the Boston pen to make sure he got the win he earned.

In other words hold your breath time, Bartolo.

But lo and behold the bully held up, and it was a trio of recently unreliable relievers that (finally) got the job done.

First Craig Hansen tossed a 1-2-3 sixth, then Javier Lopez worked his way out of a leadoff walk to Gathright in the seventh, and wouldn'tcha know even Manny Delcarmen came up with a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth for his contribution to the cause.

Geez, you know things are really going well for the club when that happens.

By the time Tired Arm Timlin surrendered a meaningless two out run in the 9th the champagne (or beer, most likely) was being uncorked in the clubhouse, and when Ellsbury squeezed the final out of the night the Colon comeback was complete, and the Sox brass look like geniuses for making a move that no one else dared to make.

And it paid off.

Again.

Tomorrow Daisuke Matsuzaka goes for the sweep, the AL wins lead and 8-0.

Wonder who his biggest cheerleader will be?

I would venture to guess the new kid on the block, an old veteran who's just happy to be along for the ride.

NOTES:
-Drew out again: JD Drew got the night off after fouling a ball off his knee last night. Ellsbury started in right with Coco getting the call in center

-Manny's woes continue: With an 0-3 night tonight including a strikeout and double play Manny is in the midst of a 3-22 slump that has dropped his average to .292. As Remy mused yesterday, it appears as if the quest for home run #500 is really wearing on him (he sits at 498 and has only homered twice in his last 66 at bats).

-Rhymin' & stealin': His 7th inning theft gave Ellsbury 19 on the season, 2nd only to Ichiro's 21 in the AL, and he has stolen 3 straight since being caught for the first time in his career Sunday against the Brewers. Also, his 3 hits raised his average to .290 and his OBP to .390

-Speaking of OBP: before he was finally retired by Javier Lopez in the 7th inning Alex Gordon had reached base in 7 consecutive plate appearances dating back to last night's game (2 doubles, 2 singles and 3 walks)

RECORD: 30-19
AL EAST: Up 2 gms
STREAK: W6
LAST 10: 6-4
UP NEXT: Thu vs. KC 135 Bannister vs. Matsuzaka