Colon was definitely back on track last night. But before I get to him, I have a riddle for you:
How do you go into the 9th with a five run lead and still get the save? You have Timlin pitch. Yesterday my father suggested to me that Timlin be Papelbon's set-up man after Okajima blew Tuesday's game. I would've asked him if he was crazy, but thanks to #50's performance last night, now I don't have to. He proved the idea was insane. The man sucks and doesn't belong any where near a mound. By the by, last night's inning put the old man's ERA back up over 6. Way to go Mikey!
But now back to the star of the night. No, it wasn't Varitek, who's three run shot over the green monster gave the Red Sox the comfortable lead they had going into the 9th. Nope, the star of last night's game was Bartolo Colon.
The 35 year-old looked like the Colon of old as he pitched 6 innings and got a season high 7 strike outs. Sure the O's managed to get five hits off him including Scott's solo shot to right in the 5th, but he only walked one guy. Even after Colon's right wrist was tagged by Markakis' chopper at the top of the 4th, he was still able to pitch another two innings and get three more K's.
For a guy no one wanted, I for one am very happy the Sox took a chance and signed him. If he continues pitching like this for the rest of the season, Theo's going to look more brilliant than he already does.
Last game of this series is tonight and with it ends the Sox' home-stand. Then it's on to Cincinnati and three weeks of inter league play. Here's hoping Manny's over his hamstring issues.
Keywords: Bartolo Colon, Okajima, Papelbon, Timlin, Varitek
Comments
Colon: the uneasy love-child of Pedro Martinez and Rich Garces.
I've said it before and I'll say it again -- I love that silly fat man, and I think he's belonged on the Sox for quite some time now. He pitches well when he's happy and injury-free, and being in Boston all but guarantees a big piece of that.