Ah, yes, it was all part of my plan.  Yesterday, I said that “if the Red Sox fail the first time through the order they’ll need to radically change their gameplan” against Daniel Cabrera.  Of course, what I meant was they should stick with it and remain patient.  I can understand your confusion.

The seventh inning was a textbook Red Sox rally.  A heap of walks and some timely hits put this game away, but it was Schilling’s economical and effective pitching and the Orioles’ inability to work the count that won it.  I’m sure other blogs will cover that in far more detail.  Danny Cabrera was as advertised; dominant with a streak of 25-year-old.  Joey Cora went deep and played solid defense.  Angel Hernandez and Julio Lugo won’t be exchanging Christmas cards after an unpleasant incident in the third, after which Hernandez issued a few make-up calls in the Red Sox favor.  Jim Palmer on MASN (yeah, like NESN) was pissed.

Joining Palmer in the booth was Gary Thorne.   After the great Canadian exodus he was banished from the bosom of ESPN Hockey coverage and landed in the booth at the Mid Atlantic Sports Network doing play-by-play for the Orioles/Nats.  How the mighty have fallen.  Last night he did his best Jerry Trupiano impression, raising his voice at every lazy fly ball.  I was watching this game more casually than usual, if I’ve got heart palpitations tomorrow we know who to blame.

Oh, and Wily Mo Pena took a walk.  Stop the g-d presses.

Tonight:

Beckett at Loewen

Becks gets an alley-oop for league leading win number 5; Loewen has allowed an absurd 18 hits and 19 walks in 19.1 innings.  Run support shouldn’t be a problem.

A.J. Burnett at Andy Pettitte

This is was supposed to be Phil Hughes’ debut.  I wonder if they’ll throw him against Daisuke on Friday night in the Bronx.  I’m glad I’ve got my tickets already.