Sox Look To Salvage Split After Bats Come Alive in Tampa

By Erik Pesta

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

J.D. Drew got the scoring going early in Saturday's game, doubling in two first-inning runs, giving the Red Sox a lead that was later threatened but never relinquished. They scored three more times in the second inning and once more in the third, in support of Tim Wakefield. The veteran knuckeballer gave up five runs (all earned), on seven hits in five innings to earn the victory. He runs his 2009 record to 3-1, but also now has a lifetime record against Tampa of 20-5. It is the fifth-highest winning percentage among active pitchers against a single opponent.

The Rays threatened to come back and tie the game as Carlos Pena homered in the fourth, before Evan Longoria knocked in a pair and Pat Burrell added an RBI of his own in the fifth, making the score 6-5, Boston. However, the resilient Sox came charging right back. Kevin Youkilis doubled in a pair in the sixth and Mike Lowell scorched a solo homer in the seventh, before Youkilis added his third RBI of the night by drawing a walk to score Nick Green, running the score to 10-5. The Rays would manage one more run in the ninth against Boston reliever Takashi Saito to close out the scoring.

The Red Sox (15-9 overall) are just 2-4 this season against Tampa, but look to earn a split of the four-game weekend series this afternoon. Brad Penny (2-0, 8.66 ERA) faces Rays' Opening Day starter James Shields (2-2, 3.74 ERA). First pitch is 1:38 p.m. from Tropicana Field in Tampa. The Sox will then head to the Bronx to begin their first-ever series at the new Yankee Stadium tomorrow.

Game ball, Eddie House

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

This was the Eddie House we had all been waiting for.

In truth it seemed only a matter of time before House, who set a franchise record this season in three-point percentage (46 percent), found his groove again -- shooters never stay cold for long. And the timing couldn't have been any better.

Yes, this is a game he will be telling his grandkids about. Perfect from the line (2 for 2) and a perfect 5 for 5 from the field -- including 4 for 4 from three-point range -- spelled doom tonight for the Bulls, as the ninth-year man out of Arizona State threw down several clutch shots late to quell a furious Chicago rally and finally win this series, 4-3.

This was a night when several Celtics grew up. Kendrick Perkins, on the heels of a career night, put in another solid performance (14 points, 13 rebounds) and refused to get pushed around on the blocks. Glen Davis (15 points) showed us some moves tonight that made me remember that in high school he was a 6-foot-8, 330-pound running back.

Brian Scalabrine, for once, proved he's actually worth the minutes Doc put him in for. Even Mikki Moore (aka the homeless man's PJ Brown), in just under three minutes, proved some mettle (four points, two rebounds and ZERO fouls).

If the Celtics had somehow squandered that second-quarter cushion, I'd probably be carrying on ad nauseum about what a horrendous call that Hinrich-tripping-over-his-own-feet call was on Pierce. I don't know what's worse, that call, the infamous Chuck Knoblauch "ghost tag" on Jose Offerman in the 99 ALCS, or every call by Bennett Salvatore in the 06 Finals.

But you know what? Tonight, much akin to the spirit of a good broadcasting team, I'm going to stay quiet and let the emotions paint the picture. Let's be content for the moment that we just witnessed a beautiful roller coaster of a run, and not worry for at least 24 hours that we have to now deal with Dwight Howard and Hedo FREAKIN Turkoglu.

The night is young. And tonight, it has a green tint to it.