Keeping the bull in the pen

Two nights, two wins at Yankee Stadium ... that's more like it. We've also found two ways to prevent our bullpen from blowing a game - either take a seven-run lead into the ninth, or have your starter pitch the first nine innings (that's all of them, if you're scoring at home).

In the grand scheme of things, Lester's complete game may be more significant than his no-hitter was. If ever there was a bullpen that needed to keep the phone off the hook for a night, it was Boston's. And Lester continued to show glimpses of what he can be. He's still not quite consistent, but as his no-no and his gem at Yankee Stadium indicate, he's got the stuff to get anybody out. Personally, I don't think he's ever going to be an ace, but he can be the type of guy that wins you 15 games every year for quite awhile. And I'll take that any day of the week. The Mets can have Johan Santana, I'll take Lester and Ellsbury, thank you very much.

The bullpen also got a "supposed" shot in the arm with the return of Mike Timlin from the DL. I wish that excited me, I really do. There was a time when it would. But I think we've seen the best of Timlin, who is lugging an ERA north of 7 at this point. I love the guy, and I still want him in the bullpen, but be honest - do you want him on the hill with the game on the line? Even with the way things have gone lately, I don't think he can be much more than a sixth or seventh inning guy. Then again, another arm is another arm, and Timlin has proven me wrong before - I felt much the same way last year and he had a monster second half. Here's hoping I'm wrong again.

Either way, the last two days were encouraging. The bullpen held a lead, then got some much needed rest, and we shoved the Yankees around a little to end a slump on our side and force a heated post-game meeting on their side. And now for a July 4 date at The Stadium. I still remember a game from 2002 (I think) when the Sox hammered David Wells for like 18 home runs in a July 4 massacre. Bill Mueller (I also loved him) hit one from each side of the plate. Good stuff. Let's hope for something along those lines this year.

But either way, after the way things went in Tampa (and in the standings) you'd have to consider this trip to New York to be a success already.