Gored on the Fourth of July
Outside of Brian Matusz, who pitched seven innings with a line of 2 hits, 3 walks, and 8 strikeouts, the best performance put forth was by Ronan Tynan. That is quite damning evidence of the Red Sox players’ lackluster production in the finale of the series.
Tynan was trotted out to belt his bombastic and banal version of “God Bless America,” a presentation that was only entertaining because the tenor was formerly a fixture of the Toilet and George Steinbrenner’s birthday is July 4. If Steinbrenner is still coherent, it is serviceable jab at the megalomaniac owner.
Let it not be forgotten why Tynan was barred from Yankee Stadium: during the playoffs last year a real estate agent revealed that he made an anti-Semitic remark to her about potential lessees. Such a thing couldn’t have sat well with Kevin Youkilis. The first baseman’s anger about that and about the All-Star snub was taken out on a 3-1 offering from Jason Berken. The solo shot to lead off the ninth was the only run Boston batters scored, but it was a blast against bigotry and uninformed All-Star voting and selection.
| Game 82: July 4, 2010 | ||
 Orioles25-56 | 6 | W: Brian Matusz (3-9) |
| 2B: Nick Markakis (25), Cesar Izturis (8), Miguel Tejada (13) 3B: Julio Lugo (1) | ||
| Red Sox 49-33 | 1 | L: John Lackey (9-4) |
| 2B: Adrian Beltre (24) HR: Kevin Youkilis (17) | ||
