Papelbon: Mouth Continuing To Outshine Talent

Eh, I'm not going to pile on Paps, though I really want to. Fact is, he has been atrocious at times this season, and servicable other times. I think maybe once or twice he was dominant, but he certainly isn't who he'd like us to think he is. Dahmer deserved that win, and Papelbon stole it. Thank God wins and losses don't matter much to a pitcher... unless they want to win awards or something. Who really wants to do that?

Scutaro got to be the hero in this one, even if he didn't think he was going to be. He put down a very nice bunt, and the pitcher very nicely threw it away to score the winning run (don't even remember who was running... feel like the game was a million years ago). The home plate celebration was slightly less crazy that they've been in the past, which was nice. It almost seems like they're learning not to beat the hell out of each other, doesn't it?

I don't know what to say about the game. It was a very frustrating game, but it ended in a win, so I can't be all that upset. Anything that moves us closer to a playoff spot is a good thing, and as we all know, you don't get any points for style.

That'd be nice though. Style points? Papi and his bedazzled jacket alone would be worth at least five runs, wouldn't they? And Beckett's got some mighty nice cowboy boots. I may be in the minority, but I appreciate a guy who can rock some cowboy boots. And if style counted, you know for SURE they'd get Dougie back on the team. Dude can rock a black pinstripe suit (NOT Yankee style) like no one I've ever seen. Ten games easy. I guess they'd have to dock points for lack of style, though... those phiten necklaces aren't winning them any points, but are they worth negative points? Youk's current facial hair alignment would certainly be a game or two down. He's not working it right now. Shave that mess a little, and it would go from a negative to a positive in no time. Pedroia's swagger, and everything about Mike Lowell would be worth a few positive games. Would style points count for players on the DL?

I'm thinking far too hard about this. I really should be focused on the game. Papi just hit a wall-ball single in the 2nd inning off of Fausto Carmona. I'm going to watch this game after these three points:

1) My condolences to Dave Magadan and his family after the loss of his father. I didn't even know that he had been away for the last couple of days, but that is more of a testament to how busy I've been. Losing a father is hard at any age, and I certainly feel his pain.

and now the happy news:

2) Congratulations to Jon and Farrah Lester on the birth of their son, Hudson. I hadn't heard that they were expecting, but I really don't pay that much attention to the Sox wives. I guess Jon, Jonathan, and Dustin can all raise their boys together. WHat a future Red Sox team that could be, huh?

3) Happy 44th birthday to Tim Wakefield! Forty-ish days to go before he ties Yaz as the oldest player to ever play a game for the Red Sox. Tim should tie that record sometime in September.... and I hope he's in the rotation by then. No one deserves it more than Tim.

Oh, and Cameron's on the DL. Big surprise. Currently, he's sitting next to Jello Ellsbury in the dugout. I honestly prefer the minor leaguers. Because Cameron being on the DL means that Nava is back! Hooray! Ok, back to the game...