Sweep Scrap Heap!

(September 4)  Game Two.

Short take:  No fight left in Phil!

It was like a dream come true for Jerry Manuel.  For the first time since training camp broke in Tucson last March, the Sox skipper got to play his entire J.V. team.  The line up featured such bench-warming luminaries as Tony Graffanino, Herbert Perry, Josh Paul, and Triple-A call-up Joe Crede.  You half-expected Manuel to be pacing the dugout with a whistle around his neck and clipboard in his hand.

The ultimate under-appreciated member of the pitching staff got the spot start, too.  Sean Lowe was sent to Charlotte last April, battled all the way back to earn a rotation spot back in July, and was inexplicably relegated again to the bullpen last month.  He made the most of his chance to shine, pitching a two-hit shutout for five innings leading the Sox to a 4-0 victory to sweep the Tigers in the second game of a twi-night doubleheader.

Phil Garner, where's the fight?

Just like Game One's 10-1 victory, the Sox jumped to a quick lead.  The drilled Detroit pitching slug Adam Pettyjohn in the second inning for two runs on three hits keyed by a two-rbi double by Aaron Rowand and an rbi-single by Joe Crede.  

That's all Sean Lowe would need.  He gave up two harmless singles in five innings work.  He earned his seventh victory of the season thanks to solid bullpen help from Alan Embree, Kip Wells, Bob Howry and Keith Foulke.  They allowed just two hits across the final four innings of the game.

Yeah, these Tigers are toothless.

The season-long quest to get Royce Clayton back to his career .259 batting average was finally achieved.  The #8 hitting shortstop smashed through the barrier in impressive fashion, going 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored.  Less impressive was the top of Jerry Manuel's line up.  Carlos Lee went 0 for 4 batting in the #2 hole.  Leadoff man Tony Graffanino was 0 for 3 with two K's.

You know it's bad when you miss Ray Durham.

The series continues Wednesday with the Sox now focused on catching the over-achieving punks from Minnesota for second-place in the division.

Sox Fans, we owe those guys BIG TIME!