Return of the Youkie Monster

Youkie Monster LOVES cookies! On Friday night, Kevin Youkilis came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, with bases loaded, two outs, and the Red Sox behind the Orioles by the score of 7-3. Red Sox fans did some quick math in their heads and realized a grand slam would tie the game. But, that was not in the cards. Instead, Orioles' pitcher, George Sherrill, was throwing nothing but peas and bananas to Youk. Youk no like! You want cookies! So, Youk struck out to bring the game to a disappointing end.

Yesterday was different. It was the third inning, the Red Sox had the bases loaded with one out and Youk was up. The Red Sox were leading 3-1 and looking to extend the lead for Tim Wakefield, who the Sox have owed a win to for while now. Orioles' starter, Radhames Liz, made a big mistake. Trying to be too careful, he threw three straight balls to Youk to bring the count to 3 balls and no strikes. Not wanting to walk (another) run in, Liz had little choice but to throw fastballs. When the batter knows exactly what the pitcher will throw, it is like getting a cookie! Youk watched the next pitch go by for strike one, but got a good smell of the cookie, and got hungry. Youkie Monster want COOKIE! Liz throw cookie, Youkie eat cookie! The smile on Youkilis' face went from ear to ear as he watched his first career grand slam settle into a fans glove high up on the Green Monster.

The Red Sox did not look back, walking off with a 12-1 victory, pulling them within 1/2 game of the first place Rays, who lost their sixth game in a row. Looks like the Rays need the All Star break to regroup before they lose too much ground.

Red Sox fans got a small wish filled when Julio Lugo was placed on the 15 day DL. Many fans have felt Jed Lowrie would be a better option than Lugo, who has been error prone this season and not hitting as well as expected. Lowrie got into the game, but did not get to show his stuff. Lowrie was the only starter to fail to record a hit, and the Orioles did not hit a single ball his way, so we did not get a chance to see his smooth defense. But, he'll get back out there, and hopefully he'll get his hits when the Sox need them more. Yesterday, they had all the hits they really needed. JD Drew and Manny Ramirez hit back to back home runs in the first inning, Youkilis drove in 6 runs, Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI. Who needed Lowrie to hit yesterday?

So, Wakefield finally pitches a brilliant game on a day when the Sox could give him run support. Wake only allowed 2 hits in 7 innings, one of them a solo home run to account for Baltimore's only run of the day. Craig Hansen provided a 1-2-3 8th inning, and Mike Timlin wrapped up the ninth inning. On to today's game, when Dice-K will be vying for his 10th win against the Orioles' Daniel Cabrera. Cabrera does not generally fare well against Boston and Dice-K is coming off a well pitched game against the Twins. A win would be a nice way to roll into the break. Combine that with a 7th Rays' loss in a row (not likely) and the Sox could enter the break back in first place!

(Photos Courtesy of ESPN)