Much better!

Last night Wakefield had a great outing, allowing only one run in 7 innings. So glad that he is back! And even Daniel Bard did fine (Ramon Ramirez not so much, but okay, we still won). Great night for pitching!

Then Papi got a home run -- his second of the game -- to win it in the bottom of the ninth.

Crazy. Let's hope they can keep it going!

In other news, Gagne of the Year has been released. That's right. No more cringing because it is Brad Penny's night in the rotation. We've also acquired Billy Wagner from the Mets as a semi-closer. Let's hope that he doesn't need a Gagne of the Year nomination...

And for something completely different...

I really must give credit to the Yankees and Red Sox. They rarely make it boring.

In a complete reversal from yesterday's result, today the Red Sox won 14-1. Tazawa was the winning pitcher and allowed no runs in 6 innings. Tomorrow will be Beckett and Sabathia (plus it is on ESPN so I can watch it!).

In the best news of the day, though, Wakefield is scheduled for Wednesday, which was supposed to be Penny's day.

Gagne of the Year

I am hereby inaugurating a new award in baseball. It is called the 'Gagne of the Year.' Awarded to the most recent pitching acquisition who turns out to be a complete disaster. Of course, this award is in honor (?) of Eric Gagne, who was so brutal during the 2007 playoffs that the only safe time to play him was when the Red Sox had a 5-run lead late...that way he would be unable to blow it in the case of a grand slam.

This year's 'Gagne of the Year' goes to Brad Penny. Not only has he pitched quite incompetently late in the season, he capped off his awfulness tonight by conceding 6 runs to the Yankees in the first two innings. Final score: 20-11 (that was 20-11 for the Yankees of course...there was no last-minute comeback here).

Congratulations (?), Brad Penny.

Wakefield pitched tonight in Pawtucket as part of rehab. His comments:

"I feel very comfortable that I can pitch in the big leagues again." He added that he felt well. "Physically, I feel great."

We want -- nay need -- you to come back. Please come back. Please!

Red Sox may have momentum

I stress the 'may.' Because if they do have momentum, then it's a 1-game win streak momentum interrupted by a day off.

However, on Wednesday they faced the As and Wakefield almost had a no-hitter. That is a seriously unexpected development. Tonight they face the Orioles with Brad Penny pitching. Baltimore, unlike us, is red hot so far this season, so let's hope that there is some slight momentum, no matter how slight.