Royals Come Back on Boston

The Sox were finally gonna gain some momentum. In the fourth, Youk singled, Papi doubled and newcomer Adrian Beltre grounded out for one RBI. Then J.D. Drew homered and bam! The Sox were up 3-0. Clearly this was the beginning of a rout against perennial doormats, the Royals. But no. The Sox bullpen blew it again. This time the goats were Hideki Okajima and Daniel Bard as they gave up one run a piece, and the Royals took the lead 4-3.

Going into this series I figured the Sox would win two of three. The lone loss would possibly be today against Zack Greinke. Now Josh Beckett definitely has to man-up and best Greinke tonight. I know it's early, but if the Sox fall to 1-4 there has to be at least some cause for concern. Boston needs something to feel good about during the first week of the season. I'll tell you one thing; Boston cannot afford to be as dismal on the road as they were last year. I don't see how you can be that bad year-in and year-out on the road and still end up in the post season.

First Start for Buchholz

So the second half began in kind of a funny way for the Red Sox. The Red Sox in their alternate Friday night away unis (the ones with the navy shirt) faced the Jays wearing their throwback powder blues. And a player we haven't seen all season took the mound in the form of Clay Buchholz. He's spent the past year and a half "recovering" from that no hitter he threw in 2007. His record in AAA this year is undeniable though (7-2, 2.42 ERA). It's time to give him a shot this year.

Tonight he pitched 5 2/3 giving up only one run. He had some base runners and had to pitch around some things, but over all he looked pretty good. The breaking pitches were biting and he was locating his fast ball well. You can't complain about that, especially since he left the game in line for a win with a 4-1 lead.

Another kid held down the fort with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Daniel Bard continued to pitch well. Some pitchers really look like their trying to throw hard. Bard on the other hand has a super smooth delivery, but the ball just jumps out of his hand. 98 mph is never a problem. Sixteen of the last twenty three outs he's recorded have been K's.

Okajima and Paps pitched the 8th and 9th like clockwork and just like that the Sox have their first win of the second half. The icing on top is that the Sox designated Julio "The Domestic Abuser" Lugo for assignment. Hooray!

Wakefield Blows Up

The knuckleball is a fickle mistress. Wakefield was cruising along for 4 innings just fine then the Jays hit double after double in the fifth, scoring 5 runs in the frame. It must have been the powder blue uni's.

At least we got to see youngster Daniel Bard, and he was quite impressive. Not only did he keep the Jays from scoring and keep the Red Sox in the game, but he struck out 7 in just 2 1/3 innings. His fast ball topped out at 97-98 mph and threw what appeared to be a slider in the upper 80's. I hope he gets more opportunities this year. His stuff looks filthy.