Christmas Come Early............

Well the Red Sox will go to Tampa Bay as the second place team.  For the second game in a row, the Red Sox gift wrap a game and give it away to the home team Houston Astros.  The Red Sox pounded out nine hits, but only got two stinking runs to show for it.  The Sox left 15 runners on bases, an unreal number, but more so because it was a one run game.

  Josh Beckett was as good as he could be, going seven innings, giving up only two runs on eight hits.  For Beckett, it is the second time in two starts that he has lowered his e.r.a., and come up empty.  This week Josh Beckett pitched 14 innings, gave up four total runs, and has 0-1 record to show for his efforts.

  Once again manager Terry Francona made some REALLY QUESTIONABLE decisions with the bullpen.  With one out in the 8th in the eighth inning, Francona lifted David Aardsma, who had only faced two batters, giving up a single to Migual Tejada.  You may ask who Francona tapped to close out the 8th, none other than Hideki Okajima, who for the season has allowed 12 of 15 runners to score.  Of course Okajima allowe that to happen.  Okajima threw a very poor ball in the dirt that got away and allowed Tejada to get into scoring position.  Of course Okajima allowed a two out single to Mark Loretta.  Thats it and thats all, 1-2-3-4 9th inning for Jose Valverde, and another series on the road given away.