It's always a good sign when the only two elements of suspense to a ballgame are (1) will we get to the fifth inning before the rain comes, and (2) will the starting pitcher's arm get stiff from sitting in the dugout for a long time while his offense scores bunches of runs.

Fortunately for the Sox last night, the answers were yes and no, respectively, as the Sox pummeled the Devil Rays to a 15-4 rout at Fenway. The first inning was possibly the Sox' best inning of the year; Josh Beckett struck out the side, then sat for 23 minutes and watched his lineup bat around, knocking Tampa starter J.P. Howell to the showers and possibly to Altoona. The highlight: a grand slam by Coco Crisp!

Now, a 6-0 lead on the Rays should have been (and would have been) enough, but the D-Ray pitchers weren't done throwing meatballs, and the Sox weren't done hitting them. Mike Lowell hit a 3-run Lansdowne Express in the second, and sad-sack reliever Jon Switzer surrendered four more in the third. The rout was officially on.

But perhaps the happiest Red Sox of the night was a guy who didn't even play. Hideki Okajima got the votes to be named the last man on the A.L. All-Star Team, and got recognized at Fenway last night. He got a huge round of applause, responded with a big smile and an appreciative bow, and good times were had all around.

Now things get a little tougher, as the Sox head to Detroit for the weekend. This would be their current first-round playoff matchup if the standings hold, so it's a good test for both teams. Julian Tavarez goes against Andrew Miller tonight.

Also tonight, if you're inclined to stay up late, is the opening game of the NBA Vegas Summer League for rookies and guys trying to prove themselves. The Celtics, with n00bs Gabe Pruitt and Big Baby Davis, go up against Portland and (grumble grumble) Greg Oden. CelticsBlog has the complete expected rosters, and the Herald has a look at Davis and Leon Powe nervously sizing one another up in the battle for minutes.

Devil Ray image from the Shoalhaven Fishing Club of Australia.