"Night game, day game, get in at 5, night game, day game, day game, night game, extra innings, get in at 5." Beat poetry, or Jason Varitek describing the most recent stretch of the Red Sox' schedule?

In any case, the brutal road trip and the Minnesota-bullpen-sponsored rebirth are in the rear-view mirror, and only a series with the perpetually underperforming Orioles stands between the Sox and the All-Star Break. Many of the Sox, of course, don't get the days off, but such is the price of success. Tonight sees the return of Clay Buchholz, who's been in Pawtucket for retooling since May, and who made history the last time he saw the O's at Fenway.

The Rust Belt came to our aid last night, as Cleveland whupped Tampa Bay (Sox are 1 1/2 back now) and Pittsburgh beat the Yankees in a rain-postponed Interleague Game. Thanks, steelworkers fof America.

Jonathan Papelbon's already talking about the Hall of Fame. Terry Francona does NOT want to talk about the swirling rumors that he might start Mariano Rivera in the ASG. We think it's a pretty good idea, actually. And Bostonist helped swing the election, as Evan Longoria and Corey Hart won the fan voting for the last spots on the All-Star rosters.

Speaking of All-Star rosters, a tip of the hat to the three Revolution players named to the MLS team. Shalrie Joseph, Michael Parkhurst and Matt Reis will join ** OMG DAVID BECKHAM ** and other MLS stars as they take on England's West Ham United (The Hammers. The Hammers.) on July 24th.

Image from Wikipedia.