Cinco Ocho closes it out

Papelbon took the mound with a few extra runs of insurance and didn't disappoint. A 1-2-3 9th secured the victory for Josh Beckett who had everything working for him. Beckett pitched very well going 8 complete giving up only 1 run on 4 hits. The win moves the Red Sox 4 behind the idle Rays, and 5 ahead of the losing Yankees. Considering how well Danks was pitching, this win was a steal for the Sox.

Sox bats lifeless through 6

The Red Sox are again showing their inconsistent nature at the plate tonight. Through 6 full innings, the Sox have no hits and only one ball has been hit hard (pedrioa's line drive out in the 1st). John Danks has had them fooled all night, he had retired 17 in a row before hitting Ellsbury in the back.....which was quickly followed by a dribbler to second by Coco. This is just another case of the Sox making a good pitcher look great. It's too bad they are wasting a good performance from Josh Beckett.

No fire, no emotion thus far tonight. So frustrated.