Sox Beat Twins, the Rain (sort of)

The Red Sox plowed ahead to their 6th straight victory in the first leg of what is scheduled to be a doubleheader. Tim Wakefield pitched his second-straight complete game (the oldest Red Sox to do so), this one even more economical than the last, after Wake summoned the rain gods to end the game after 7. The knuckleballer gave up only 5 hits and 1 run in his 7 innings of work, improving to 2-1 on the season, with an ERA of 2.45 and a 1.05 WHIP.

And the Sox bats were just as alive as the knuckle. Jacoby had another strong day, going 2 for 4. (He also swiped one and got nailed trying to swipe one.) And an even more encouraging sign---Ortiz had another 2 for 4 day, finally remembering how to slap doubles (nearly a home run) off the Monster. Maybe most surprising of all: JD Drew's numbers on the year, after today: .310 BA, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, .408 OBP, .690 SLG. ITM's frequent complaints aside, the man is quietly having a monster April.

So the Sox improve to 8-6 headed into the nightcap, which is schedule to pit Brad Penny against Francisco Liriano, but looks likely to be pushed back tomorrow due to more rain. So be it. The Sox-O's two-fer worked out well for us on Monday. Let's hope we can get a bit of the same magic tomorrow, if need be.

In the meantime, let me hear it all across New England: "A bas, les habs!"