The Thrill of Victory, the agony of defeat...

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat...

Let's start with the positive, shall we?

Jones'-ing to take in another hot win at Fenway (as you all know, my last visit did not work out so well) - and, sorry Tampa Bay fans, but I figured this was a sure thing - I graciously accepted a last minute invite on this steamy July evening. We'd already won the first 2 in the series and Beckett on the mound. Should be some good baseball....but, I had no idea it would be THAT good! :-)

Tampa Bay....oh, poor, littel, unassuming, Tampa Bay. For J.P. Howell, it doesn't get much worse than giving up 6 runs in the first inning and being pulled before you even knew what hit you. A lefty pitcher should not have done so poorly against our line-up, but - hey - this is the big leagues, J.P., welcome to Boston! But, hey - don't feel too bad - Stokes did nothing but stoke the fire the Sox had lit. 13 runs in 3 innings. Can you even believe it?!?!

Quite frankly...the game got a bit boring after that....If you can imagine it. It's kinda funny...once you've got 13 runs, you tend to slip into a comfortable and complacent mood and just enjoy being at Fenway. We entertained ourselves through the rest of the game by "moving down". Rain had crept in half way through the game and it always seems that those with the most expensive seats always bail out first...probably because they're not covered by the grandstands canopy. By the 7th inning, we'd "scored" seats 3 rows behind the Red Sox dugout! Half the sport of attending games, for me, is trying to end up in the best seats possible by the end of the game - not an easy task at a venue that sells out - every night. I'd never been THAT close before!

All in all - a perfect night at Fenway. The rain only enhanced the experience on this outing...it'd been so hot earlier, I had no problem with getting wet! A 15-4 win. Everyone was hot at the bats, no doubt about that - but Coco - your Grand Slam was just beautiful...and, Mike Lowell - way to go - 5 hits, 5 RBIs...you're amazing. I'm sincerely grateful to you, couldn't have happened on a better night! Thanks for the great baseball.

NOW - what's up with the beating you took the next day??? Are you taking a page from Schilling's book? Yeah, Ok, Detroit is not Tampa Bay, I realize...and, you'd traveled, I understand. But, jeez. Ah well - all I can say is: Yanks lost, too - and, that's what matters.

I'm not even going to complain or whine about last night. Detroit wins. Papelbon gives it 'em in the 13th inning. Whatever. It was anyone's game, just "one of those things" - you all played hard, pitching was amazing...this is one of those: "You can't win 'em all" kind of game. The big news, despite the loss - Big Papi, thanks for the HR, it'd been awhile, nice to see it again! Here's hoping you've got your groove back. What I find most interesting/curious about this particular day in baseball: The Yankees also lost in the 13th inning, what are the odds of that happening?!?! Again, it only matters that they lost, too.

The All-Star break is coming up and the double-digit lead is very encouraging. Should be a time of rest and relaxation for the average ballplayer, but most of you are playing (That's right....6 of you!) - I'm so proud to be a Boston fan. :-) Youk, you shoulda been there, Baby! I know it's caddy - but for anyone keeping score - there are only 3 Yankees going to the All-Stars! Sweet, isn't it? I'm evil. I know it.

Peace, love and good baseball to you all....
Ann, The Red Sox Fan