Boston Beats Toronto, 3 to 2

BOSTON: 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 - 3 6 0

TORONTO: 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 - 2 8 0

Well I arrived at my favorite New England sports living bar and people were already there - World Cup lives! Though I don't follow soccer, the Netherlands was once a neighbor of mine, so I'm rooting for them over Spain to be the first time World Cup winner. Go Orange! Back to the Boston Red Sox. They have not fared well over the week, they are in third place in the AL East, having lost the second place position during their disastrous series with Tampa Bay. They are going to try to win the series against the Toronto Blue Jays today in Rogers Centre. One good event, Terry won his nine hundredth game as a manager - congrats. So far, no score in the game. Blue Jays are hitting, but the Red Sox bats are silent.

Decidedly outnumbered by the people here to watch the soccer final - seeing some orange in the crowd, but not overwhelming. The noise level is high, as expected. See some red Spain shirts in the bar. I guess the soccer final is starting later than I thought. It's going to be a long morning. I never knew that there were so many soccer fans. Rich and Lisa are here and I think we are the only patrons interested in the Red Sox game. Andrew, Jen, Lauren and Steve are working. Crazy day for them! So strange to be out numbered by a non-New England team in this New England bar. Meanwhile, there have been some threats, but neither Boston nor Toronto have scored. and Boston still can't get a hit - Litsch has a no-hitter going through the fifth inning. Dice-K is getting out of jams and is looking good. Now if only Boston can get the hitting going. The dual is still strong at the top of the sixth. And finally the World Cup begins and everyone in the bar settles in.

I, of course, am concentrating on the Red Sox. Let's go Boston! Finally a Boston hit and it is a double and scoring position for Scutaro. Homeruns and Boston is on the board and has the lead! Litsch is settling down again, almost. Now only the soccer game is scoreless. Dice-K has starts the seventh and gives up a two-run homer. Bard comes in to relieve him. Two quick outs and after a Blue Jay reaches, the third out. Hold on to the lead Red Sox. And at halftime in the World Cup, the teams are still without a score. Top of the ninth back at Rogers Centre with Boston in the lead and Ortiz at bat. David doesn't make it on base, but the next two batters do. Another chance for some runs, but no more runs at all. Papelbon comes in to close out the game. Tying run at first. No run! Boston wins the series! Now the All-Star break. Good luck American League! And still no score in the World Cup. Good luck Netherlands!

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Daisuke Marsuzaka, Winning Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka (6)

TORONTO: Starting Pitcher: Jesse Litsch, Losing Pitcher: Jesse Litsch

BOSTON: Save: Jonathan Papelbon (20)

BOSTON: Homeruns: Darnell McDonald (6), David Ortiz (18)

TORONTO: Homerun: Aaron Hill

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RED SOX: Wins: 51Losses: 37, AL East Standings: New York, Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore

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Next game: Thursday 15 July 2010, 4:10 p.m.PT/7:10 p.m.ET, Texas Rangers, Fenway Park, Tim Wakefield

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