Boston Stuns Seattle, 8 to 4

SEATTLE: 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 - 4 8 0

BOSTON: 2 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 x - 8 9 1

Andrew and I arrived at the New England sports living bar at the same time - he via his motor vehicle and I via public transportation. While waiting outside, until Andrew had prepared enough to let me in, I began diagramming a book I might publish. Soon I was rescued from my layout attempt and prepared to watch the Boston Red Sox in this third and final game of the series against the Seattle Mariners. The other regular on Sunday mornings, Rich, arrived and he said that his wedding gift to his son was the honeymoon trip - a cruise to Bermuda. Though I've never been on a cruise, it sounds wonderful. And wonderful today was the Red Sox not being swept away in Fenway Park. It was a strike first and rally back ballgame for Boston, not exactly smooth sailing, but they did reach their victory destination and that's what counts. Unfortunately for Lester, the Red Sox rallied in the bottom of the inning (seventh) in which he had been taken out, so no win for him. The book on the Seattle Mariners is closed for the Boston Red Sox for the rest of the regular season (and likely for the postseason). And now for another story.

In a week, Red Sox players will be taking various modes of transportation to different places. However, six players will be heading to the same place - St Louis, Missouri. These special six have been named American League All-Stars and will be participating in the Eigthieth Major League All-Star Game being held in Busch Stadium. The players are:

Jason Bay (OF) - Voted in by fans and starting (third All-Star appearance, first in AL)

Dustin Pedroia (2B) - Voted in by fans and starting (second All-Star appearance)

Josh Beckett (P) - Voted in by players (second All-Star appearance)

Jonathan Papelbon (P) - Voted in by players (fourth All-Star appearance)

Tim Wakefield (P) - Selected by AL Manager Joe Maddon (first All-Star appearance)

Kevin Youkilis (1B) - Selected by AL Manager Joe Maddon (second All-Star appearance)

The Red Sox Six are the largest group of All-Stars from any team, American League or National League. And there is such an even distribution in the three ways that they could make the AL All-Star team. Perhaps Boston is truly the current standard of baseball. Congratulations to the Red Sox and to the All-Stars of both Leagues. Looking forward to another American League victory!

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SEATTLE: Starting Pitcher: Brandon Morrow, Losing Pitcher: Miguel Batista

BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester, Winning Pitcher: Justin Masterson (3)

BOSTON: Homeruns: Dustin Pedroia (3), David Ortiz (9), Jacoby Ellsbury (5)

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RED SOX: Wins: 49, Losses: 32, AL East Standings: Boston, New York, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Baltimore

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Next game: Monday 6 July 2009, 4:10 p.m. PT, Oakland Athletics, Fenway Park, John Smoltz