Oh Canada

Game 78 - Red Sox

Red Sox 6, Orioles 5 (11)
Record: 48-30

Let it be noted for the record that honorary Canadian Julio Lugo, he of the thick skin and thin skillset, singled home the game-winning run in the top of the 11th inning to provide the Sox with an improbably glorious Canada Day victory.

Let it further be noted that actual Canadian Jason Bay, he of the milquetoast mien and (formerly) formidable bat, went 0 for 5 with 5 strikeouts to honor his nation's day of celebration. For, um, Canadian stuff.

Less than 24 hours removed from one of the worst losses this jaded correspondent can recall, the Sox stared down the barrel of a dismal getaway day result. Josh Beckett lost his big game mojo, the offense sputtered and wheezed, and the gleeful Camdenites entered the 9th inning with a 4-run cushion. A Youkilis blast and Baldelli single later (in addition to some patience and a little assist from Blue) the Sox sent the game to extra innings. And with Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, and Jonathan Papelbon aggressively scrubbing away the reminders of Tuesday's bullpen implosion and whitewashing the Oriole offense, 'twas only a matter of time before the Sox plated the winner.

Off-day today as the M's head to Beantown, and the entire bullpen, Bay, Mike Lowell, and Terry Francona's gall bladder offer collective thanks to MLB's scheduling gnomes for the helper.