Why am I not surprised that this team split a doubleheader? .500 ball. Still I’d rather it go this way (lose, then win) than that doubleheader against the Rays in 2002. July 23, 2002, almost exactly 2 years ago: Sox go 22-4 to win the first game (Willie Banks, amazingly, gets a save in an 18-run victory), then lose 5-4 in the second on a 5-run 9th inning. Pedro and Lowe were both in the running for the Cy Young, the team was full of expectations, but somehow that for me was deflating, possibly the turning point of the season. This time round we end with a shutout victory that wasn’t a pitching gem, but I’ll take it.
So twice in a week now the Sox have gotten out-hit (10-7) and won the game. (Sunday’s Mariners game was the other.) For some reason that seems uncommon this year, we seem to get the hits but no Mortal Kombat-style “Finish Him!” blow. Good to see Wake’s knuckler back. 8 hits, yeah, but they were all cheap singles, and 0 walks was encouraging. Also, I like Gutierrez at SS, if only because it allows for Bellhorn back at 2B where he belongs. Nice double play to get Palmeiro in the 9th .