Monday, September 04, 2006
The Hits Keep Coming, But Help Is On The Way
Well, well, well... a lot has happened in the last week - some good, some not so good. The Sox ended up getting swept in Oakland, and then they split four with the Blue Jays at Fenway. As things stand today, they are 9 games behind the Yankees for the division (kiss that goodbye) and they're 6 1/2 behind the White Sox for the wild card. They're playing the first of three against the ChiSox tonight so they can make up some ground if they can string a little run together. The game is now in the bottom of the 6th, with goose eggs on the scoreboard. I can't believe I'm about to type these words, but Julian Tavarez is actually pitching a gem. He started tonight in place of David Wells, who was traded off to the San Diego Padres last week for a young catcher. Like I said, a lot has happened.
As we all know by now, rookie lefthander Jon Lester was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma last week, and is scheduled to begin treatment soon. If he battles off the mound like he does on it, he's going to be in good shape. Our thoughts are with him and his family. Of course, Big Papi also had a health scare within the past week, as he was thoroughly checked out at Mass General for the source of an irregular heartbeat. Papi felt strange at least twice, but he has been given the go-ahead to resume playing, which he'll probably do tomorrow. Oh - and considering everything that has gone wrong this year, what's the worst possible thing that could happen next? Against the Blue Jays Friday night, closer extraordinaire Jonathan Papelbon was forced to leave the game with what looked like a painful shoulder injury. All we've heard so far is that it's a strain. He's supposed to have an MRI soon.
Now for some good news. Tonight against the White Sox, we witnessed the return of three regulars to the lineup - Jason Varitek (goodbye, Javy - thanks for coming), Trot Nixon and Alex Gonzalez. Nixon just knocked in the first run of the game. Sox lead the Sox 1-0. Now it's 1-1 thanks to a Jim Thome Monster seat bash, and Julian Tavarez is walking off to a standing ovation. I am not making that last part up.
As we all know by now, rookie lefthander Jon Lester was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma last week, and is scheduled to begin treatment soon. If he battles off the mound like he does on it, he's going to be in good shape. Our thoughts are with him and his family. Of course, Big Papi also had a health scare within the past week, as he was thoroughly checked out at Mass General for the source of an irregular heartbeat. Papi felt strange at least twice, but he has been given the go-ahead to resume playing, which he'll probably do tomorrow. Oh - and considering everything that has gone wrong this year, what's the worst possible thing that could happen next? Against the Blue Jays Friday night, closer extraordinaire Jonathan Papelbon was forced to leave the game with what looked like a painful shoulder injury. All we've heard so far is that it's a strain. He's supposed to have an MRI soon.
Now for some good news. Tonight against the White Sox, we witnessed the return of three regulars to the lineup - Jason Varitek (goodbye, Javy - thanks for coming), Trot Nixon and Alex Gonzalez. Nixon just knocked in the first run of the game. Sox lead the Sox 1-0. Now it's 1-1 thanks to a Jim Thome Monster seat bash, and Julian Tavarez is walking off to a standing ovation. I am not making that last part up.
# posted by kampy : 8:34 PM
