Never Sharpen a Boomerang

Games 31 through 33 - Red Sox

Red Sox 7, Rays 3

Red Sox 12, Rays 4

Red Sox 7, Rays 3

Record: 20-13

We talk a lot about karma 'round these parts, and have a healthy respect for the destructive power of that particular force of nature. As if to reinforce our painfully disciplined adherence to her strict mandates, the lady delivered yet another object lesson in Boston this weekend, as the Sox broke convincingly out of their offensive doldrums against the Rays.

Tampa swept the Sox in St. Petersburg just a short week ago, gaining a share of first place in the AL East for the first time ever this "late" in the season. In the excitement of the moment, Rays fans danced in the aisles with brooms as the Trop's P.A. system blared Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline, a song generally reserved for happy times in Fenway Park (and brandy-fueled latenight singalongs on Fire Island - so I've heard). I get it. It's a big deal for Tampa to best the Sox, for the little guy to stick one in the bully's ribs, but there some things that just aren't done.

You don't tug on Superman's cape. You never get in a land war in Asia. You don't talk about a no-hitter while it's in progress, and you never, ever taunt an opponent you'll be playing a week later.

Under normal circumstances, an early-May set against the Rays wouldn't mean much to the Sox, but I have to believe the team and the front office took more than a little satisfaction from this weekend's payback bitch-slapping. And I took more than a little solace from the 26 runs the offense posted as the starting pitching continued to do its part. If Manny Delcarmen can shake his nearly season-long funk, we'll be in long clover - provided nobody jumps ugly on that karma woman.