Biggest Win of the Year

I turned on tonight's game with guarded optimism. It's a special treat to watch a game at Fenway regardless of whose playing. The Red Sox have the largest division lead in May since the 1984 Tigers team that went 41-9 to start the season. Tonight, I felt we had a chance because Julian Tavares was pitching for Boston--someone to get them from Point A to Schilling and Beckett and the rest of the series. It's hard to imagine that Tavares is still in the big show. The Birds and the Sox both had opportunities to cash in early and it looked like we were going to give them the game after competing for much of it. Nick Markakis would not let it happen. He went 4-5 and saved the game with a leaping catch that robbed V-Tek of extra bases or a home run. He then threw to first from right center and nearly doubled the man off. Nick is a steely-eyed killer. Melvin Mora hit the ball hard. Burres battled. A gutsy, heart-wrenching, nail-biter of a victory to the end. The Sox smoked the ball but the hits didn't fall. Willy Mo Pena, who destroyed the Orioles two weeks ago, botched two catchable balls. It wasn't their night. We play well in Fenway and my theory is that the O's are more comfortable playing the Red Sox in Boston then at home in Camden where half of the faithful are rooting for the cherry hose. We will either steal another one or get pounded tomorrow against Schilling. Even with the gluttonous and hated Yankees hiring Clemens to save the day, the Sox are still the team to beat this year. We're better than last year, and continue to improve.