Same Sox, Different Day

Pitchers' duel. Low score. Sox score a dramatic bottom of the ninth run on a rally started by David Ortiz. Vernon Wells makes a throw home to stop the winning run but Toronto comes up short in the end. Papelbon gets the win, even though the starter deserved the victory following a strong outing.

Hey, Steve, didn't you post that story yesterday?

Indeed I did, keen observers. But it happened again last night at Fenway, although rather than a 1-0 victory, the Red Sox slipped past the Blue Jays 2-1. And Vernon Wells did throw out a runner in the bottom of the ninth (pinch runner Jed Lowrie), but the exact same situation arose when the very next batter, Jason Varitek, hit another single in Wells' direction, but this time, speed demon Manny Ramírez managed to slide home in time for the win.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, like Jon Lester, has been the target of some fair criticism regarding his efficiency on the mound, but he was very tough last night, blanking the Jays over seven innings, allowing just two hits and two walks.

So can the Sox go for a third straight low-scoring win in their last at-bat tonight? Don't count on it. A.J. Burnett can be, at times, one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball, although this season he's sporting an ERA of 6.07. Tim Wakefield goes to the hill tonight for the Sox, toting his 4.06 ERA.

1-0? 2-1?  I'd guess something closer to 6-5.

Break out the brooms. It's time for a sweep.