Did somebody place a $100 bill under the third base bag last night? Julio Lugo tried to take third after Mr. Mendoza line misses the cutoff throw, only to have Mark Loretta make a spectacular toss to Mike Lowell to get him at third. More entertaining however, was Big Papi tagging up from second on a long fly and sliding head-first into third. Why Papi, why? I know it turned out OK, and after running 45 feet Papi looks like he’s on mile marker 23 of a marathon, but please guys no more head first slides. At the best, you lose a $15,000 diamond earring. At the worst, you break your finger and go on the DL for about a quarter of the season. Either situation is no good.

After watching us give up 15 runs in the past two games it was nice to see Josh on the mound again. I see that he made up with both his fastball and his curve (6IP, 0R, 7Ks), not a good sign for the rest of the league. And he didn’t have to take anybody out! That’s got to be a first in a Sox-Rays game this year.

Tonight the fat man with the larger mouth goes up against a lefty who has given up 2 runs in his past 2 starts. Time to bring the bats. Remember, the goal is to get home, not stranded at third.