Red Sox Put Holes In LA's Halos

The Boston Red Sox, playing the last game of their left coast road trip, rode to a win on the strength of a grand slam clubbed by Marco Scutaro in the eighth inning. The final score was 7-3 Boston and the jet ride back to Boston was reported as a joyous one. Why not? In his second start since returning from back woes, Josh Beckett was able to go seven full, giving up three earned runs on five hits, walking one and whiffing five. Delcarmen and Ramirez took care of the eighth and ninth, respectively. Boston manager Tito Francona had some words of praise for his ace right-hander...

“He continues to build arm strength. It’s very encouraging.’’

And here's YOUK...

“It’s all about the pitching. If we keep pitching well, we’ve got a chance. We’ll score enough runs. It was nice to finish here with a sweep against a good team. It’s going to be a wild ride, hopefully.’’

Scutaro's grand slam in the eighth inning put "the icing on the cake" just when it was needed most. They are staying within striking range in the AL East, always poised to take over Tampa Bay's position and squirm their way to October play, the best play of all. It's cooler with a hint of autumn-like air filtering through the trees here in the northeast and that suits me just fine, thank you. My goodness, it's my favorite time of the year, with baseball or without. I like it better with, however.

The team is home after a late night arrival yesterday at Logan Airport in Boston. Thankfully they have the day and night off today before they begin a three game set with the Detroit Tigers. I'll have the complete pitching match-ups in tomorrow morning's post.

Have a great Thursday, click on this post's title for more Red Sox stuff and as always, BE WELL. I mean it. I'll see you soon, my friends. GO SOX.