G72: Red Sox 9, Reds 0

Red Sox - 122 031 000 - 9 11  1
Reds    - 000 000 000 - 0  6  2

Mr. Homer B. did not disappoint.

Coco Crisp hit a two-run shot in the second. And one batter after Jacoby Ellsbury drilled a four-bagger to start the third, J.D. Drew got it on and banged a dong. Bailey threw 62 pitches in 2.1 innings and was gone after 13 batters.

Crisp drove in two more runs in the fifth. Dustin Pedroia also went deep, in the sixth.

Beckett (7-6-0-2-6, 98) was strong. David Aarsdma and Mike Timlin each threw a scoreless inning.

In the first inning, Ellsbury singled. He stole second on the first pitch to Pedroia, caught his breath on the second, and stole third on the third pitch. Neither play was close. The first theft was #32 and it set a new Red Sox rookie record.

The Marlins beat the Rays 9-3, so the East lead is back to 2.5.

***

Josh Beckett (4.22, 104 ERA+) / Homer Bailey (6.30, 70 ERA+)

Bailey - part of the All-Time Unfortunately-Named Pitching Staff than includes Bob Walk and Grant Balfour.

Manny is still out, but Lugo and Varitek are back in the lineup.