Bullpen Depth Saves Sox

On a night when Daisuke Matsuzaka couldn't find the plate, Mike Timlin couldn't get anyone out, and Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon were unavailable, it was the fine work of David Aardsma, Javier Lopez, and Manny Delcarmen who kept the Yankees at bay in an 8-5 win at Fenway last night.

In addition to Okajima and Papelbon, David Ortiz and his 3-for-season bat sat out the game as well. Offense was not the problem. It was the starting pitcher. Matsuzaka still seems to be in transition mode from Japan to America. Of his four starts, two brilliant performances have been bookended by shaky outings. His record says 3-0, but that's thanks to the Red Sox offense. He really should be 2-2, but he seems to be the designated beneficiary of exceptional run support this season.

As for the Yankees, they were not good last night. Their impatience at the plate led to a few bad swings in key situations. Starter Phil Hughes looked like he should still be playing in AAA, lasting just over two innings while surrendering seven runs--his shortest outing to date.

It was revealed this morning that Joba Chamberlain's father collapsed at his home in Nebraska last night and was reported to be in critical but stable condition. Having seen them both in interviews last season, it's almost impossible not to like them. So Sox fans, put aside your "Yankees are the enemy" mindset and think good thoughts for the Chamberlains.

Next up: The Cleveland Indians host the Sox tonight. This is a matchup Indians fans have waited for since October when the Sox pulled yet another backs-to-the-wall postseason miracle and rallied from a 3-games-to-1 deficit to advance to the World Series. The good news about this two-game series is C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona will not take the mound.