Fat Man in the Bathtub...

...or maybe in the showers, if this doesn't improve. 2 innings in this evening, and David Wells has started his season by giving up 5 runs on 8 hits. Chris "Boy am I gonna make sure you know that my nickname is Boomer, too, and isn't it a great nickname, too?" Berman and Joe "check out firejoemorgan.com for clever nicknames to insert here" Morgan keep noting that Wells' performance is to be expected, because "this is like Spring Training for him". That's neat and all, but these games count, and if Wells isn't ready to pitch I guess I'd prefer the Sox explore their other options and let the chubby dude stretch things out in Pawtucket.

Game 8 - Red Sox

Blue Jays 8, Red Sox 4
W: Chacin (2-0)
L: Wells (0-1)
Record: 6-2

Even in this game that defined "feh", the sun shone on several corners of the Sox roster, illuminating some tantalizing possibilities. While the aforementioned butterball gave up 10 hits and 7 runs in 4 innings, Lenny DiNardo pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the 6th and only allowed 1 run while eating 3 innings. Rudy Seanez recovered from a putrid first week to record 2 hitless frames.

Offensively, all the Sox' runs came courtesy of the chick-pleasing longball. Of note, Wily Mo Pena demolished a Pete Walker breaking ball, driving it into the camera well in straightaway center for his first homer in a Sox uniform. Dennis Eckersley had a difficult time containing himself during the post-game recap as he discussed Pena's power, the former pitcher's eyes flaring wide open in alarmed fashion, almost as if he was picturing himself having to face the burly Dominican. Pena also singled sharply to right and (gasp!) walked, while not impaling himself or injuring any small children while playing the field.

Speaking of burly Dominicans, David Ortiz homered, doubled, and walked twice, reaching base in all 4 of his plate appearances in his first game after inking a 4-year contract extension. Some have quibbled about paying a designated hitter $13m+ per year, but I'd have gladly greenlighted the deal - even as I nod my head in understanding at the game's statistically-driven analysis, I still believe in the intangible, and Ortiz' presence matters in this Sox clubhouse and in the stands. And if his buddy Mr. Ramirez decides he'd like to join the rest of the Sox in producing offensively, well, that'd be just great, too.

Daytime baseball today for me and Whit, as we continue our recently-started tradition of taking an afternoon off to watch early-season action. Sox/O's 2 years ago, Mets/Nats today. The Sox won the World Series the first time we ditched work to see them, so that's gotta make Met Nation (Met Borough?) feel pretty good.