How David Wells's day began: single, single with throwing error, single, single, double, single, strikeout, single. Seven hits and five runs on 27 pitches.
Wells settled down a bit and ending up pitching into the fifth. Jeremi Gonzalez pitched two more shutout innings and Mike Remlinger retired five of the six batters he faced (?!?) as the Sox tried to come back against Jeremy Bonderman. They had plenty of guys on base (13 hits and four walks), but grounded into five double plays -- the last one by David Ortiz ending the game with the tying run on first.
Manny Ramirez had the day off and John Olerud went 2-for-4 in the cleanup spot. Manny was set to pinch-hit twice -- for Kevin Millar in the seventh and Gabe Kapler in the eighth -- but both innings ended with him in the on-deck circle. In the seventh, Varitek grounded out (after hitting a couple of long foul balls down the right field line, the first of which, if fair, would have given Boston a 6-5 lead); Tony Graffanino ended the eighth by hitting into a double play.
The Yankees' bullpen blew another game to the Devil Rays last night -- Tampa has won nine of their 13 meetings this season -- so the East lead remains 4.5. ... Out in Seattle, Kansas City lost its 18th straight game last night, and fell 36.5 games behind the White Sox.
Boston opens a four-game series in Anaheim tonight. Wakefield / Colon at 10:00.
I hope Arroyo is pitching on Saturday. I'm going to that game. There are usually tons of Red Sox fans in the stands when the team comes to Orange County. It should be a lot of fun, especially after the playoff sweep last year.
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