Yippee! Sox snap skid vs. Royals, 9-3

Papi is just 2 HRs away from Jimmie Foxx' team record of 50

Just a quick timeout from football to give an update on the Sox: they won! They finally defeated the Royal Blue Machine after 5 consecutive losses thanks to Papi's 48th homer, his first since Aug 27th, and another solid starting performance from Julie Tavarez (the artist formerly known as the Gas Can).

Tavarez gave the pitching-starved Sox a second quality start, 5.1 IP with 5 hits, 3 runs and 5 Ks. This effort comes on the heels of his last start vs. Chicago when he went 6.1 IP with 6 hits, 2 runs, and 5 Ks. And although he failed to acknowledge the crowd's ovation when he left the field then, due to their merciless but deserved booing all season, he wisely tipped his cap to the Nation yesterday, before he starts getting booed after wins. A little advice from a former Bleacher Bum, Julie: take the applause when you can get it, because if you thought the booing was bad before, well that was just a warmup should you spurn The Nation now.

But with the season all but done, especially with The Pats back on the front page, the only thing left to worry about is Papi's chase of Foxx' team record of 50 HRs. The team heads to Baltimore tonight, then they have the weekend series in the Bronx. My bet says he hits 1 or 2 in B'more, then hits either the magical #50 or record-breaking #51 in Stankee Stadium as the Sox complete a payback sweep. Just wishful thinking I guess.

Notes: Willy Mo replaced Man-knee in the lineup and had 3 hits and 2 RBI...Boston released struggling catcher Javy Lopez before Friday's game. The washed-up backstop hit .194 in 18 games with Boston and had a hard time corralling pitches behind the dish...Coco sat out with his surgically repaired index finger bothering him...5 Sox had multiple hits (Papi, WMP,Loretta, Lowell, Kappy)

Next game: Tues @ B'more Gabbard (1-3, 3.93) vs. Cabrera (7-9, 4.84)