Red Sox Pass Phillies, 5 to 2

BOSTON: 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 - 5 11 0

PHILADELPHIA: 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 2 5 0

Glad that the Boston Red Sox won tonight and that they have the best record in the American League. However, it is a shame that Jon Lester did not receive the win against the Philadelphia Phillies. I think that in situations where the Red Sox pitcher is being effective (1-2-3 innings) and the team has only a one or two run lead, Terry should let the starting pitcher stay in the game. The Boston bullpen is tops, but there have been similar situations as tonight's where they gave up runs in close games. Ramon Ramirez has been giving up homeruns recently. Perhaps he should come in when the team has a larger lead. Sometime it is just a change in pitchers that can turn a game around for the opponent. I know that complete games is not now the fashion in the Majors, but something can be said for sticking with the person who is effectively preserving the lead. The Red Sox will face the Phillies again in Citizens Bank Park tomorrow. Let's hope for a number of Boston runs early in the game and a different game situation.

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester, Winning Pitcher: Takashi Saito (2)

PHILADELPHIA: Starting Pitcher: Joe Blanton, Losing Pitcher: Kyle Kendrick

BOSTON: Save: Daniel Bard (1)

BOSTON: Homeruns: Kevin Youkilis (11), J. D. Drew (9)

PHILADELPHIA: Homerun: Ryan Howard

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RED SOX: Wins: 37, Losses: 24, AL East Standings: Boston, New York, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Baltimore

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Next game: Saturday 13 June 2009, 4:05 p.m. PT, Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Park, Daisuke Matsuzaka