G126: Red Sox 7, Orioles 2

Red Sox - 210 030 010 - 7 15  1
Orioles - 002 000 000 - 2  9  1

Dice (5-6-2-5-6, 105) stranded nine base runners in his five innings, Jason Varitek homered for the second straight night, and Kevin Youkilis homered and singled twice, driving in three runs.

Yook's dong was the key hit, as it increased Boston's lead from 3-2 to 5-2. Everyone in the lineup helped out: the first nine Red Sox hits were spread out evenly -- one each for batter in the order.

Jacoby Ellsbury singled twice, stole two bases and scored two runs. Justin Masterson pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

We're doing our part. Keep winning and hope that eventually the Rays lose a couple games in a row ...

Tampa Bay scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to rally from behind and beat the Angels 4-2. Toronto scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to squeak past New York 2-1, dropping the Yankees 11 GB the Rays. The Blue Jays are in 4th place, 12 GB.

***

Daisuke Matsuzaka (2.74, 164 ERA+) / Daniel Cabrera (4.78, 91 ERA+)

In his last nine starts (since June 27), Dice has a 1.91 ERA.

In his wins and no-decisions this season, Dice has an 1.87 ERA (115.2 IP, 95% of his innings)! In his losses -- only six innings -- his ERA is 19.50.

SoSH discusses a possible aspect of his pitching philosophy -- would Dice rather walk a guy than "give in" and allow a hit? Are his high walk totals more of a strategy than a lack of control? The many walks -- and the subsequent higher pitch count -- mean more work for the bullpen, however.

And: Angels/Rays and Yankees/Blue Jays at 7 PM.