Sports Redux: It Was Really 12-3

Perhaps the blue shirts calling the shots at Fenway Park on Friday night were just bitter that they couldn't hang out in Harvard/Hogwart's Square with several thousands of their closest Harry Potter fans. Maybe they were concerned that J.D. Drew would further aggravate his hamstring by running all the way around the bases. We'd even like to think that they were just curious about whether Terry Francona would get himself thrown out of a game in the first inning.

For whatever reason (and we think "they just couldn't see it" is a lousy one), J.D. Drew was robbed of a three-run homer in the first inning last night. And while some might say that it's no big deal, the Red Sox would go on to win 10-3 anyway, we can't stress enough that this was the worst player to rob. The guy is injury-prone and known for a playing style described as composed by some, passionless by others. When this guy steps up and gives the Sox something big, he needs to be praised! Rewarded! Not stripped of a big-time hit.

It was a dramatic start to what would turn into a much-needed win. Julio Lugo grand slams! Closed-door team pre-game meetings! Beckett on the mound with hopes to tie in the MLB wins column! Drama, drama, drama.

Beckett (six innings, four hits, ten strikeouts) picked up his lucky 13th win with the kind of sharp pitching Boston fans took for granted earlier in the season - composed, with good mechanics and an intensity that we believe fired up his teammates (well, that and the Drew incident). The Sox hadn't put up double-digits in the runs column since they were in Atlanta on June 20. Now they just have to keep driving home the runners today, when Kason Gabbard faces off against White Sox lefty John Danks.

-- Bumps and bruises: Curt Schilling is slated to throw three innings of PawSox play tonight during his continuing rehab process...David Ortiz left the game Friday night with a left shoulder strain after he slid headfirst into second base in the fifth inning.

-- Ortiz had a rough day yesterday. Not only did he get that shoulder strain, but word broke that one of his best friends had been charged earlier in the week with identification fraud. Federal prosecutors say that Edwin "Monga" Garcia is really Felix Leopoldo Marquez Galice. Ruh roh...

-- More details are coming out in the federal case against one NBA referee who allegedly bet on games: Tim Donaghy, a 13-year NBA referee veteran, is the alleged gambler.

-- And finally, two notes on the Tom Brady BabyWatch: 1) He decided celebrating a birthday is a better idea than planning to witness one. 2) He's wearing that Yankees hat again. Flip-flopper.

Photo by flickr user cardamom selected because really, it just made us laugh.