G68: Red Sox 6, Nationals 3

Hey, we won! Kyle Snyder did fine (5-4-3-0-6, 67), relying heavily on a nice slider and a 12-6 curve -- he struck out Alfonso Soriano three times with nothing but breaking stuff. The foursome of Van Buren, Lopez, Seanez and Timlin allowed a mere three hits and no runs over the final four innings.

Most of the offense came from the bottom of the order: Varitek doubled, singled, and walked and scored a run; Crisp singled twice, walked and scored once; Lowell singled and walked twice, and scored; Kapler singled, doubled and scored; and Cora singled, walked and drove in two runs.

Manny Ramirez added some insurance with a leadoff double in the seventh -- he scored (increasing the lead to 5-3) on a bases-loaded walk to Cora -- and he homered in the eighth (6-3).

Philadelphia beat New York 4-2, so the lead in the East is now 2 games. Toronto was off; they are 3.5 out.

***

6:05 PM -- To make room for Kyle Snyder, J.T. Snow -- the only player in Red Sox history to wear #84 -- was designated for assignment (the team has 10 days to either trade him or put him on waivers).

After pitching in all three games in Atlanta, Jonathan Papelbon is not available tonight. ... Gabe Kapler gets a start in right field.

Youkilis, 1B    Soriano, LF
Loretta, 2B     Vidro, 2B
Ortiz, 1B       Guillen, RF
Ramirez, LF     Ward, DH
Varitek, C      Zimmerman, 3B
Lowell, 3B      Fick, 1B
Crisp, CF       Clayton, SS
Kapler, RF      Schneider, C
Cora, SS        Byrd, CF

***

Tony Armas Jr. (4.18) / Kyle Snyder (22.50), 7 PM

The Red Sox open a nine-game homestand against three NL East teams: the Nationals, Phillies and Mets (who, at 43-25, lead the East by 9.5 games).

Right-hander Armas was one of two Sox pitching prospects traded to Montreal in November 1997 for Pedro Martinez (Carl Pavano was the other). In his last start, Armas threw 82 pitches in 3+ innings against Colorado, allowing seven runs. He has never faced the Red Sox.

Snyder -- who will wear #52 -- was a first-round draft pick for Kansas City in 1999 (and 7th overall). He had Tommy John surgery in 2000 (one of four arm surgeries he has had) and made his debut at Fenway Park on May 1, 2003. In 29 major league games (19 starts), he is 2-9 with a 5.91 ERA.

Pitching coach Al Nipper:

[H]e's very excited about coming over here for the change of scenery. ... I know in the past, from hearing from other people in the industry, he's had problems elevating balls in the zone, but I don't know much about lately. Obviously, if he keeps the ball down in the zone, he can create a good, downhill plane being the tall kid he is [6-8], but if you can't create that downhill plane and you're elevating, hitters at this level don't miss those pitches too often.

Snyder is certainly well rested -- he has not pitched in a game since June 8. Boston has off days this Thursday and next Monday and won't need a fifth starter until July 1, so after tonight's start, Synder will likely be sent to Pawtucket.