Five Minute Musings

I have to be down at breakfast in about five minutes, so I'm bringing back this probably-forgotten segment that used to be a semi-regular occurrence in this space: five abbreviated thoughts on the Sox, in convenient list form.

1. Did I mention that I love Cody Ross? Because I love him even more after the walk-off home run last night to take the series from the first-place White Sox.  And yes, I've bought my Ross t-shirt. Even though I'll be unemployed once camp ends, it was money well spent.
2. Clay Buchholz's work last night was impressive - and important.  Eight innings, one run, six K's, and a no-decision, but world's ahead of the performance he gave last outing, where he all but imploded.
3. I am so so happy that Pedey is back on the field.  Though 1-for-4 (albeit with a run scored) isn't up to Pedroia's usual standard, I'm quite certain that his presence in the clubhouse alone is enough to get his teammates fired up.
4. These post-All-Star break Red Sox keep finding ways to win.  Last night's game featured a dramatic walk-off three-run homer, while the night before was a ten-run blowout - without David Ortiz in the lineup.  I'm feeling as if the second half of the season is going to look markedly different from the first half - and I like what I'm seeing so far.
5. I had a phone intrview with a possible job out in Chicago yesterday, and the interviewer asked me if I wanted to relocate specifically because of the Kevin Youkilis trade. I told him that it didn't hurt that Theo was out there, too.

I love you, Cody Ross!

 I haven't been able to watch a Red Sox game in about a month, due the constraints and demands of my summer job (I'm working at a sleepaway summer program at a boarding school), but last night I caught most of the game on the radio, because I was chauffeuring CITs around in a school van.

When I first picked them up, they climbed in and the first thing out of their mouths was "Of COURSE you're listening to this." It should come as no surprise that I catch up with the Red Sox in any way possible, and the kids didn't seem to mind too much - although I'm sure it annoyed them when I cut conversation off mid-sentence every time there was a run-scoring play (especially seeing how common an occurrence that was last evening).

I came away from last night's game with one thought burned into my brain: it's time for me to finally invest in a Cody Ross shirt.  Ross was on fire last night, going yard twice and racking up six RBIs.  Although I was listening on the radio and not seeing him on a television, I'm sure all of it went down with Ross's usual unbridled enthusiasm.

You all know I have a special place in my heart for players who play with such joy and reckless abandon, so it's downright shameful that Cody Ross isn't yet a part of my Red Sox wardrobe. I'll be taking care of that today.

Optimism rewarded!

Due to a series of unexpected events, I was able to catch the last four innings of today's game - I had thought I was going to miss the whole thing.  So after running back to my room after an ESPN info session at Career Services, I immediately turned on the TV and was pleased to see that the Sox were leading 4-1 in the sixth inning.

I did pretty well with my morning predictions: Beckett went out there and pitched his heart out, going eight innings (and it would have been nine if the Sox half of the eighth hadn't been so explosive) giving up a single run on one hit and one walk.

The lineup certainly rose to the occasion, as everyone but Cody Ross had at least one hit - and Ross had a sacrifice fly for an RBI. Kevin Youkilis in particular had a great day, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs, while Adrian Gonzalez continued his early success with a 3-for-5 day and an RBI.  Sadly, my only incorrect prediction was about Pedey: he didn't manage to hit a home run today, but he did beat out an infield hit once I started watching.

The funniest moment of the day had to be Kelly Shoppach's first career stolen base (above) which included a failed slide and then a flop.  I wondered at Shoppach's presence over Salty when I saw the lineup this morning, but obviously Bobby V. knew what he was doing when he put the lineup card together.

It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows today, as Jacoby Ellsbury left the game with a shoulder injury after going 2-for-3 with an RBI to start the game. Here's hoping Golden Boy makes a quick and full recovery.

When we know more about the extent of Ellsbury's injury, I'll post an update here - after his killer season last year, the Red Sox cannot afford to lose Ells long term.