Sox Slug Their Way To A First Place Tie

For the first time since the day after the All-Star break, the Boston Red Sox have found themselves in a tie for first place atop the AL East. The long ball led the way for Boston, with a total of six players going deep. Leading the way was David Ortiz, who hit a 3 run bomb in the first inning, followed my Mike Lowell, also in the first. Jason Bay hit a shot in the 4th inning with Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis following suit in the same frame. Jacoby Ellsbury hit the final sox homer in the 5th inning. Dustin Pedroia also added an RBI.

Pitching wise, Disuke Matsuzaka picked up his 17th win, going 5 innings with 7 strikeouts. Tampa stater Scott Kazmir didn't fare as well, going 3+ innings, giving up 4 homers and 4 walks.

This is a rough start for the Rays in what could be called their most important homestand in franchise history. They have two games remaining with Boston, then wild-card hopeful Minnesota comes in for a four game series. If the Rays start to slide, the eyes of the Twins will be wide open, looking for the last spot in the playoffs.

Lester Pitches Sox Within 1

Johan Santana to Boston for Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie, and Michael Bowden. Thats all it would have taken to land one of the most dominant pitchers Major League Baseball has seen in years. All winter media outlets all across the country wondered why the Red Sox would not bite on this deal. Many assumed they were just waiting out the Twins hoping to lower their price, others simply thought they would cave and give in to the outcry by the Boston fans for the once in a lifetime chance to acquire a talent like Santana. Instead, GM Theo Epstein stood firm behind his belief that the key to success for the Red Sox both short and long term rested firmly with the organization's young stud prospects. Many questioned, some called him crazy, but in the end it is Epstein who is having the last laugh.

Jon Lester pitched eight innings of four hit baseball on Sunday, outdueling one of the game's top pitchers in Roy Halladay en route to a 4-3 Sox win. In the heat of a pennant race it was been the youngsters like Lester who have been the difference. The win moves Lester to 15-5 with a 3.15 era. Not bad when you consider that Johan Santana, the star who Lester was almost traded for, is 13-7 with a 2.70 era. And oh by the way, the other major piece to that proposed deal, Jed Lowrie, has been a spark plug for the Sox both offensively and defensively since his call up replacing Julio Lugo as the everyday shortstop, has nearly a .400 on base percentage while committing zero errors in 68 games.

Sunday's win moves Boston just one game back of the first place Tampa Bay Rays, a team who just will not go away. How many times has it appeared that the Rays' run was about to end only to see them kick it back into gear and maintain their lead? Looking back over the past month of entries on this site alone will show just how impressive their run has been. They too have been led by some young stars of their own, all coming together to will the team to victory. That, however, can all change on Monday when the Sox and Rays open up a three game series in Tampa Bay. It is a chance for Boston to take over the AL East lead for the first time since June.

Then again, the Sox are 0-6 at Tropicana Stadium this season.

Only time will tell how this season will shake out. Either way, it is time to put up or shut up for both teams. Time to let young guys do the talking.

Big Z Throws No-No

In a game that was to be played in Houston but was moved to Milwaukee in the wake of Hurricane Ike, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who had not pitched since September 2nd due to arm trouble, no hit the Astros. He walked Michale Bourne in the bottom of the fourth inning, which kept him from a perfect game. The Cubs last no hitter was thrown by Milt Pappas on September 2nd, 1972.

Pats Do It Without Brady

Offensive flare may put fans in the seat, but it's defense that wins championships.

The New England Patriots returned to that motto on Sunday with a 19-10 victory over the New York Jets. Led by sacks from Richard Seymour and Adalius Thomas and seven tackles from rookie linebackers Jerod Mayo the Patriots were able to limit Brett Farve and the Jets to 250 yards of total offense.

Matt Cassel, making his first start since his senior year in high school, was steady throughout, not putting up impressive numbers but managing the game well in a winning effort. Stephen Gostkowski paced New England offensively with four field goals.

This is a good start for the Brady-less Pats. They will look to make it 3-0 against the Miami Dolphins next week.

Brett Who?

All is well in the land of the cheezehead.

Aaron Rodgers is making Packers fans quickly forget the former hall-of-fame quarterback. Led by Rodgers' three first half touchdown passes the Green Bay Packers cursed to a 48-25 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Rodgers, who finished the day 24 of 38 for 328 yards and 3 TD's, impressed throughout with his excellent arm strength.

Thats two weeks in a row that Rodgers has led the Packers to a convincing victory. He is making the Packers' decision to go with the inexperienced 24 year old over the 38 year old veteran a good one.

McFadden, Raiders Save Kiffin

At 33 years old Lane Kiffin is the youngest head coach in the NFL. He just may get to keep that title for another week as Kiffin's Oakland Raiders defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 23-8 on Sunday. Led by Darren McFadden's career high 164 yards rushing, including a nineteen yard touchdown run, the Raiders looked a lot more like the team owner Al Davis and company expected than the deer in headlights team they looked like in week one.

Rumors have circulated all week regarding the potential firing of Kiffin if things in Oakland did not get turned around in a hurry. Kiffin and Davis have bumped heads several times over the past few months prompting Davis to go as far as saying "he's not the guy I hired."

It will be interesting to see just how much time this win will buy Kiffin. It was a much better effort on the field in week two, but the Raiders only have so much to work with. Its just a matter of time before they get blown out again and the drama continues.

K-Rod Breaks Record with 58 Saves

Los Angeles Angels Closer, Francisco Rodriguez has broken Bobby Thigpen's single-season save record by recording his 58^th save last night.

Week 2 - Match-up Of the Week

New England @ N.Y. Jets

The first game of the Matt Cassel era is here. For those of you who have been living under a rock the past week, Tom Brady suffered a season ending knee injury last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots offense was still functional following Brady's injury. Cassel led on a couple of nice drives including a bomb to Randy Moss for a touchdown on Cassel's first series of the season. You have to wonder just how well he will fare in is first start since high school against the Pats top rival in the AFC East.

From the Jets side, if you are a Jets fan you have to be licking you chops. Week 2, at home, Brett Farve as your quarterback, against a Brady-less Patriots team who you always get up to play anyway. If there was a opportunity for the Jets to make a statement as a true contender in the AFC East, today is the day.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Be sure to check WAY Back Sports for the latest developments in then NFL today as the game progress.

Week 2 is Upon Us

Its that time of week again! Time to sit back and enjoy a full day of the NFL. Be sure to check WAY Back Sports for all the latest NFL news as the games progress.

K-Rod Ties Single Season Save Record

Los Angeles Angels closer, Francisco Rodriguez, earned his 57^th save of the season last night in a 7-4 win over Seattle. With that save, K-Rod tied the single season saves record, set by Bobby Thigpen in 1990 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. K-Rod may get a chance to break the record tonight when the Angles face off against the Mariners. If he does not get the chance tonight, he will have 15 more chances until the end of September to get it done. 

Odds are that K-Rod will be able to break the record and possibly put the number of saves in a single season over 60. There is no doubt that K-Rod has been a dominant closer for many years, but it is interesting to note that he breaks the record in the final year of his contract. In the open market, K-Rod will command top dollar from any team wishing to have his services, and after a record breaking year like this, I would say he has earned it.