Prior to last night’s game, the Red Sox were a game and a half behind the first place Devil Rays and a sweep would put the Red Sox back at the top of the division. In previous years, it was the Yankees the Sox were fighting for the top spot – the laundry might have changed, but the battle is still there. Last night, Jon Lester and the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 3-0.

Jon Lester pitched 7.2 innings last night, giving up six hits, no runs, walking three and striking out nine; Jonathan Papelbon followed that performance by striking out three and giving up one hit. Devil Ray’s pitcher, Edwin Jackson threw for seven innings, giving up three runs on eight hits. Jackson gave up a homerun in the first inning to Jason Bay. Tonight, the Sox send Matsuzaka to the mound. Dice K will be pitching against Scott Kazmir. Kazmir is 11-6 with 2.99 ERA.

Bostonist would like to say congrats to old friend or nemesis, depending on what party you come from, Gary Sheffield. Gary hit the 250,000 homerun last night in MLB history. For those of you wondering, Jason Bay’s homerun last night was number 249, 997.

For those of you who have been hiding under a rock, the Matt Cassel era of the New England Patriots will officially commence this Sunday when he gets his first start, since high school. But for those of you down in the dumps, the Bostonist would like to remind you that Matt Cassel is a triple threat. He can play football, sing and did we mention, he’s an accomplished/award winning dancer?