Sox blow sweep of O’s in 10th

-- The three-game set against the Orioles to end Boston's homestand appeared to be all but a sweep by the Sox, that is until Wakefield was pulled in the 7th with the 4-1 lead Sunday.

From there the bullpen found a way to blow a great final start for Wakefield, who has been moved to the pen with the impending return of Dice-K to the starting rotation. After falling behind 3 runs post Wake's exiting the game, the Sox climbed back within 1 run sitting at 7-6 with 2 on, 2 out in the bottom of the 10th.

Scutaro stepped to the plate and ripped one to the wall in left, but unfortunately the Orioles' outfielder was right there to make the game-ending grab – thus ending the Sox's pursuit of a third walk-off hit in Boston this week.

The Sox were lifted to a 4-3 victory on Friday night by a solo homer by Big Papi (his first of the season) and a gut-wrenching, "walk-off walk" by Adrian Beltre.

Boston's bats kicked it up a notch Saturday night, led by 3-run homers from Youkilis and Scutaro to seal the deal. Papelbon came in and struggled at first, but eventually made good on the outing and slammed the door for the save.

Yay's:
- Ortiz going deep for the first time of the season was a relief for everybody in Boston. Whether Papi is the everyday DH or shares time with Lowell, the fact that his production is improving ever so slightly the last six games is a welcome sign

- The Sox are showing extremely tuned-in patience at the plate which has led, hopefully will lead, to a healthy wealth at the plate. Beltre does not collect a ton of walks, but to hold back on a 3-2 count, 2 outs, bases loaded in the 10th inning and get a crucial walk-off walk – that show's discipline. The Sox may be emphasizing defense this season, but by the looks of things they're gonna need all the offense they can get to remain competitive in that tough AL East division

Nay's:
- The Sox went 4-6 on a 10-day homestand at Fenway Park, not exactly the kind of performance the home crowd would like to see out of their Beantown Bombers who are now 8-11 overall in 2010

- The bullpen still doesn't appear to have a system or a go-to guy other than Papelbon. Ramon Ramirez has been horrendous. Delcarmen is good for a couple outs then chokes in a situation with any degree of pressure. Okajima and Bard have looked stable, yet given up some big runs, and Atchison and Schoenweis are still getting their feet wet. The good part about this is it presents a crucial role for Wakefield to fill as he moves to the pen
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