6 + 8 = 13: Sox mash A's, Schilling wins 13th

The Red Sox held a nice 6-1 lead in the 5th inning of last night's game in Oakland before Curt Schilling gave up 3 runs, cutting the lead to 6-4. Two innings later the A's scored again, this time against Manny Delcarmen who gave up 3 strait singles before getting a single out. It was 6-5 and your Uncle Buck was getting ready to drive his car off the road and into a tree over the prospect of blowing a 5 run lead and dropping another game to the Yankoffs. From there Delcarmen got a fly out to left then struck out Frank Thomas and Nick Swisher to end the inning. From there the Red Sox bats went crazy, scoring 6 runs in the top of the 8th to give Schilling his MLB leading 13th win of the year, 13-5.

For the 2nd strait night, and the 2nd strait win, Sox starting pitching was as good as advertised. Schilling went 6 innings, allowing 4 earned runs and only walking 1, while throwing 105 pitches. Delcarmen was able to shake off the tough start to the 7th and mop-up men Julian Tavarez and Rudy Seanez came in for the 8th and 9th. (Didn't UB just read that there was a Tavarez or Seanez for Ray King deal on the table...How come the Sox haven't pulled the trigger on this?)

The biggest key to victory last night was the 6 RBI (3 each) from Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon. If these two had games like last night on a more regular basis the Sox would be up 10 games. Tek and Nixon normally bat somewhere between the 5 and 7 holes (provided a lefty isn't on the mound, then Trot is on the bench) and tend to get mired in long slumps and fail to come thru in regular RBI situations.

Manny had another big night with two hits including a home run and 3 RBI...Someone on the radio mentioned that Manny is getting closer to milestone homer marks like 475 and should hit 500 next year...UB just hopes he's wearing a Sox jersey when it happens. The Sox management has been trying to dump his $20-million a year salary since they bought the team and UB doesn't see any reason why they wouldn't try again this off season...With only 2 years left on the 8 year deal (Sox have options for 2009 and 2010) another club may be more willing to take on Manny this winter...

"Your honor I strenuously object to that call..."

"I strenuously object?" Is that how it's done? Hm?..."Oh! You strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider.