Lester rules Rays

Ty Hampton
Sox Swagger

-- Have I mentioned lately how the Boston Sox are playing some damn good baseball?

Jon Lester had something to say about that Tuesday night, improving his ERA to 3.15 and his record to 5-2 as he helped shutout the Rays 2-0. The southpaw hurler threw for 7 strikeouts, 5 walks and only a single hit.

The game was still truly won by great pitching and defense, but David Ortiz's 2-out, 2-run double in the 3rd inning made all the difference for Boston. Papi is really, really doing great things at the plate the past few weeks -- slump no more I say.

Then Jon Papelbon also came in and finished it off for his 11th save of the year.

Red Sox record: (26-21)
Wednesday's matchup: Lackey vs Garza

Yay's:
- Over the past four games, Boston's starting rotation is 4-0 with a 0.32 ERA. Oh yeah, and all the games were in either Philly or Tampa. That's downright amazing.

- Boston is now 6-1/2 games behind the Rays in the AL East and is going for a sweep of their division rivals Wednesday

- Manny Delcarmen, Daniel Bard and Paps all came in relief during an intense, close game and followed Lester's lead, kept things rolling and cemented the shutout win of the best offensive team in baseball.

- Jacoby Ellsbury will reportedly be taking his rightful place back at the helm in centerfield, named the team's regular at that spot with Mike Cameron coming off an injury plagued month and thus making an easier return transition into left field on Wednesday.

Nay's:
- The Sox will undobtedly have their hands full on Wednesday with Rays ace Matt Garza on the mound. Hopefully John Lackey can right his ship and bring his A-game to this potential pitcher's duel.

- Ellsbury is 1-for-14 since returning from his injury on Saturday. Sat out Tuesday with a sore hip. Eventually the Sox will need this guy to be the catalyst for runs on the base paths and that requires getting on base first.

I just hope his injuries aren't still more severe than the Sox organization has let on.
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