Minor Miracles: Papelbon's strong start and MannyMania

MannyMania gripped Fenway Park Sunday as the faithful wondered if he would be traded or if he would stay on for at least the remainder of the 2005 season...Fans learned the answer in the 8th when Manny pinch-hit and knocked in Theo's Renta-wreck from 2nd to give the Sox a 4-3 lead. Schilling closed in the 9th for his 5th Save...


Jon Papelbon made the most of his first Major League Start, going 5.1 with 7Ks and only 2 ER...Olerud remained hot with a solo home run as the Sox swept the Twins...Meanwhile, in Yankoffville, the LAAughable Angels blew another late lead, this time giving up 4 runs in the 8th then an OC error allowed the Yankoffs to tie it in extra innings before Matsui all but ended it with a triple later...If that doesn't make you puke, ex-juicer Giambi stayed hot hitting 2 more HR giving him 4,000 for the month...August 1st: the Sox lead the East by 2.5...