Red Sox Sweep Angels! Color me impressed. Even with Ortiz out of the lineup with a sore shoulder, Manny going 0-5 (with 3 strikeouts (all looking)) and 14 men left on base in the first 7 innings, Boston still made a 4-3 third inning lead stand up as Thursday night's final score.

Derek Lowe shocked me by sticking around for 7.1 innings and 115 pitches. He settled down and allowed only 3 hits after the first two innings. Francona managed the bullpen perfectly, bringing in Mike Myers for one out in the 8th and letting Keith Foulke get the final four outs.

Damon reached base four times (3 hits and a walk), Bellhorn and Dave Roberts both doubled twice (Millar and Mientkiewicz each had one double) and Mueller hit a solo home run. Roberts also atoned for an error in the 4th inning, running in and making a face-first diving catch, starting a 9-6 double play to also erase the runner he allowed to reach.

In the top of the 9th, Manny's quick play in the corner held Glaus to a leadoff single. On the first pitch to Kennedy, Varitek threw Glaus out at second. Kennedy then struck out and pinch-hitter DaVanon popped to short to end the game.

Other scores:
New York 9, Cleveland 1
Oakland 4, Chicago 2
Minnesota 2, Texas 0

Boston remains 3.5 behind the Yankees, but now leads Anaheim by 4.5 and Texas by 6 in the wild card. The Rangers open a series at Fenway tomorrow night. ... Pedro v. Way Back Wasdin.