Sox gettin' their sweep on

Ty Hampton
Sox Swagger

-- Just 5 weeks after falling victim to the Rays in an embarassing 4-game sweep at Fenway, the Sox have returned the favor.

Given it was only 3 games, but the BoSox did come into St. Petersburg on a roll and put it on the MLB-leading Rays harder, and harder each night.

The latest stomping was Wednesday when the Sox hitters jumped all over ace Matt Garza, who gave up 6 runs in the 11-3 Boston win. Five of those runs came on longballs, 2 of which came off Adrian Beltre's bat. A third was served up by none other than the red-hot, tongue-scorching panini that is David Ortiz on a 2-run shot.

Just one more thing on Beltre though, just to be clear, the man did have 2 homers, a triple and 6 RBIs Wednesday. That's just scary! Even better Beltre is leading the team in hitting with a .341 ERA -- impressive when he was brought in for his glove.

John Lackey also had a good day throwing for 8 hits and 4 walks but getting out of some big jams to end up only giving up 2 runs over 6-1/3. Lackey improved to 5-3 with a 4.84 ERA.

Red Sox record: (27-21)
Key stat: Sox now 5-1/2 games back of the AL East leading Rays

Yay's:
- Boston just finished a 13-game stretch against the Tigers, Yankees, Twins, Phillies and Rays -- five strong postseason contenders -- with a 9-4 mark...not bad. They also had a 1.33 ERA against the Rays this series.

- Big Papi is officially BACK! He hit his 10th homerun tonight hitting in his old spot, the 3-hole. Not only that, but Ortiz is looking like the fun-loving Papi of old who swings a big stick and carries a bigger smile with him on the field and off.

This guy is a Boston institution, so its good to see him back in the groove again.

Nay's:
- Nothing, I'm absolutely thrilled by the way my boys are playing these days! Go Sox!


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