By the Skin of Their Teeth

Helluva game.

What more can be said?

Clay Buchholz spun off an 8 inning one run gem of an outing on a night where most of the bullpen was shut down.  Terry Francona made the bold 8th-inning decision to send Lowell to pinch hit for Ortiz which led to the bases loaded, game winning walk.

Drama?  Yessir.  It was a wild ride.

The pitching duel between Marcum and Buchholz was especially exaggerated given its juxtaposition to Monday night’s slugfest which ended with a 13-12 victory for the Sox.  On Monday, the Red Sox used seven different pitchers and the only ones who didn’t give up runs were Delcarmen, Bard, and Papelbon.  Tuesday night they used a mere two pitchers.  Clay gave up a single run, while Ramon Ramirez shut down the Jays.  Monday night, the game was decided by a two-run double.  Last night, the game was decided by a bases loaded walk.  Last night was as clean a game as I could ask for.  Monday night was dirtier than Tom Caron’s playoff beard. Really, the only similarity between the two were the fact that both were decided by a single run.

In fact, the last six straight wins were won by a single run.  Each game taking years off the lives of the citizens of Red Sox Nation.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I am certainly not complaining, I mean, a win is a win, especially considering the horrendous start to the season.  But seriously, this is getting rediculous.

There is no way they can keep this up.  Just ask 2009′s Tampa Bay Rays.  One run games can go either way.  It seems like either the pitching or the bats are slacking off whenever the other steps up, and the result is that it’s impossible for the Red Sox to dominate the opposition.  They seem to do just enough to keep Boston in the game, but neither wants to go that extra mile to give the team any sort of cushion or breathing room.  Whenever Youkilis drives in a pair, you can bet that Scott Atchinson will be there next inning to give those two runs back.  Likewise, when Lester or Wakefield is having a great night, the lineup just seems to forget how to do anything except ground weakly to shortstop.

But on a positive note, things are starting to come together, I mean at least ONE facet of the team is working, even if the other isn’t. Clay has been lights out these past couple starts, his ERA is now just above 2.00.  Ramon Ramirez finally didn’t blow it in a clutch situation and actually picked up the save.  JD Drew has a six-game hit streak and is finally justifying his position on my fantasy team.  David Oritz hit his first home run the other day.

Yessir, things are looking up for Boston.  We’re getting winning games, which is what really matters.  Plus, we are watching some great baseball games, emotionally draining, but great.  I just hope I don’t have laryngitis or a drinking problem by the time everybody starts clicking together.