The Jon Lester Show......

After watching Jon Lesters first few ptiches, you had to assume that this was going to be a long game. Maybe a shoot-out, one that would lead to a bullpen battle.  However after his shakey first inning, Lester settled down and how.

  Lester decided last night that he could fix the bullpen problem, pitch a five hit complete shutout in Yankee Stadium, and take the bullpen out of the equation.  All night, Lester had filthy nasty stuff, similiar to the night he pitched a no hitter against the Kansas City Royals.  Lester needed only 105 pitches to dispatch of the Yankees, he struck out eight, and only walked those two first inning Yankees.  It was the type of performance we hope to see more of with Jon Lester, especially if the Sox are to make a move in the A.L. East this year.  On the flip side, Andy Pettite looked like he needed some more HGH, as he struggled right out of the gate.  Even with a line-up devoid of Big Papi, the Sox pounded Pettite for five innings.  The Sox tuned up Pettite for nine hits and six runs, they also had two walks.

  Seven of the nine Sox batters were able to get hits against the Yanks last night, Luggo and Brandon Moss were the exceptions.  Even captain Jason Varitek had an r.b.i. single in the 8th inning.  Jacoby Ellsbury continues his slumping ways, as he went 1-5 last night.  Ellsbury's average has slipped to .266 for the season, hardly impressive for a lead-off hitter.  J.D. Drew had two hits to go along with two strike-outs, he also had a great catch at the wall in right last night as well.  Drew's night at the plate allowed him to keep his average above .300 for the season, as he checks in at .304 for the year.

  For the Sox it was a much needed win, as we all know they had dropped the last five contest.  Today the Sox and Yanks play an early day game, a 1:05pm start time.  The Sox will send Josh Beckett to the mound, Beckett is in desperate need of a winning decision, as he is 2-2 in his last seven starts.  The Yankees will counter with Darrell and his other brother Darrell Rasner.  For the season Rasner is 4-6 with an e.r.a. around 4.46, Rasner is also 1-6 in his lat seven starts.