Reclamation
| Game 49: May 21, 2008 | |||
| Royals | 3 | L: Brett Tomko (2-5) | 21-25, 3 game losing streak |
 Red Sox |
6 | W: Bartolo Colon (1-0) H: Craig Hansen (2) H: Javier Lopez (6) |
30-19, 6 game winning streak |
| Highlights: At one time Colon inspired fear in more than just all-you-can-eat buffet operators. In 2005 he had a career-best 21 wins for the Angels, sported a 3.48 ERA, and won the Cy Young award. His win total definitely swayed voters as that season Johan Santana pitched more innings (232 compared to 223), had more strikeouts (238 to 157) and maintained a lower ERA (2.87) and WHIP (.97 versus 1.16). Injuries and weight problems submarined his career to the point that he was willing to sign a minor league deal with the Red Sox in February to attempt a comeback. | |||
Bartolo Colon was less than his 2005 self but much improved over the Colon of the past two years. He lasted the minimum to secure a win, his first since June 14, 2007, an interleague game against the Reds. Colon’s line of five innings pitched with six hits, two earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts are in line with his projected role as a fourth or fifth starter.
Justin Masterson was sent down to Pawtucket to make space for Colon. I was surprised to see that Masterson outweighed Colon by five pounds (at least according to the weights officially listed), but the former is seven inches taller than the latter.
The Red Sox pitching depth is unparalleled. Long gone are the days of making do with the stopgap starters of 2006 (apologies to Jason Johnson and Kevin Jarvis). Perhaps the Yankees would like some of our excess arms to shore up their rotation.
Jacoby Ellsbury and Jason Varitek both homered off Brett Tomko. Not only did Joey Gathright play the same position as Ellsbury but the two centerfielders both notched three runs last night.
With this six-game streak at home (reminiscent of the Celtics) the Red Sox reestablished themselves as the AL East leaders and now have the best record in the majors. I’ll be at the game this afternoon, celebrating the day before my birthday and hopefully a sweep against the Royals
