SOX BLOW HUGE LEAD, WIN ANYWAY

Up 10-1 against Toronto going into the top of the sixth inning, I penciled this one in as a "W." Oops.

The nine run lead turned into a one run lead after an eight run Toronto sixth consumed starter Daisuke Matsuzaka and reliever Javier Lopez in its fiery wrath. Only the power of My Man Manny Delcarmen could halt the seemingly unstoppable force that was the Blue Jay offense.

Delcarmen halted the carnage in the sixth but then started some of his own in the seventh. Hideki Okajima was called on to halt the Carnage Halter's carnage.

Anywho, it all worked out for the Sox as they piled on enough runs that it didn't matter. Boston's offense scored 3, 0, 2, 5, 0, 3, 0, 0 in eight innings for a total of 13 runs. Everyone who started for the Red Sox ended up with at least one hit. Ellsbury (2), Pedroia (3), Lowell (3), Lugo (2), and Varitek (2) led the way if, you know, more than half the offense can really "lead."

Papelbon came in and shut the door in the ninth with two Ks. Boy is impressive, no?

AL East: The Yanks got dropped at home by the Mariners, 7-1. After sweeping Boston, the Yankees have lost 3 of 4 to Tampa and Seattle. They've also lost two of the three games they picked up in the standings in the process. The Sox lead over New York now stands at 7.0 games. New York's Wild Card lead is 1 over Seattle.

Roger Clemens, who must have it written in his contract that all New York newspapers must refer to him as "Rocket Clemens", is scheduled to have an MRI on his arm tomorrow. I hope he's fine so we can kick the crap out of him later.

Tomorrow (Tuesday): The Sox resume their series against the invaders from the north. Josh Beckett tries to improve his Cy Young credentials versus former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. Game time is 7:05pm EST.