As the Red Sox boarded their charter plane for Cincinnati after their 9-2 victory last night, they could not be blamed if more than a few of them paused to look over their shoulder wistfully. Life at home Fenway Park, has never been much better for the Red Sox than it is right now. After this 7-2 homestand, they have won 17 of their last 19 games here, and they have the best home record in the majors at 28-7. The 42-27 Red Sox can do the math. A 14-20 road record is not the kind of trinket a traveler wants to bring home for the kids. With two interleague series in Cincinnati and Philadelphia on the itinerary, it’s not the best time to be carrying this kind of excess baggage. Maybe something’s just got to change.
This homestand began with a sweep over the Rays that will not be soon forgotten, as much for the Red Sox regaining the lead in the AL East as for last Thursday’s brawl. A series victory over the AL-worst Mariners was no surprise, but getting by the Orioles was no gimme, given that the teams had played to a 4-4 draw going into last night. But the same old winning combination of atmosphere, fan support and maybe some magic pixie dust worn by Aramark workers kicked in last night, as the home team played a solid game. Mike Lowell’s fifth-inning grand slam broke open a 1-0 game and sent the Red Sox on their way. A pair of two-run shots, by Kevin Youkilis in the seventh and the white-hot J.D Drew in the eighth, sealed the deal.
Jon Lester, pitching on two extra days’ rest because of the five-game suspension he served after playing a minor role in last week’s hostilities against Tampa Bay, was in control for most of the game. He had a hiccup in the sixth, when he allowed two runs, but he had his way otherwise. A clean inning of relief from both Manny Delcarmen (two strikeouts) and Mike Timlin preserved the win. Only two Baltimore baserunners reached scoring position in the first five innings, when the Orioles managed just three hits.
Nation Notes: With close friend Justin Masterson pitching well for Boston, Michael Bowden has been following suit with Double A Portland. Over his last nine starts, Bowden has given up just nine earned runs, a 1.45 ERA, while striking out 54. For the season (13 starts), Bowden – who starts tonight for the SeaDogs – has a 2.30 ERA and opponents are hitting a mere .179. Just 21, Bowden could be in high demand at the trading deadline.
