Going to the Matt

Despite a furious Baltimore comeback spearheaded by Rudy Seanez, the Red Sox held off the Orioles at Camden Yards, 14-8. the Sox pounded 'Wild Thing 2' Daniel Cabrera for 7 runs, mostly on walks. Cabrera's effort reminded me of what Sparky Anderson used to say about players hitting sixty points higher if they could wear a suit of armor to the plate. Cabrera couldn't have found home plate with a cane, a dog, and GPS.

Matt Clement looked sharp for six innings, shutting down the birds before he weakened in the seventh. Rudy Seanez recalled the John McKay quote about being asked about the execution of his team, "I'm in favor of it." Seanez got reacquainted with the American League, where guys can hit.

On the very positive side, Manny Ramirez swung the bat well with three hits before sitting down in the seventh, and Trot Nixon went yard off lefty Doug Dubose, tying his output against southpaws for 2005. A-Gone and Loretta looked rude and smooth turning two in the middle, and J.T. Snow made a terrific diving stop down the line to spare Seanez from even more damage. Finally Keith Foulke was in control for the ninth in what means much more than mop up for the comebacking reliever.

Overall, it was an ugly game, but a divisional win over an Oriole team that has caused the Sox fits over the year. With Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora, and Miggy Tejada, it's hard to imagine many easy wins for the Sox over the Birds this year.

As usual, the key is pitching and Clement was on and Cabrera wasn't. Curt Schilling gets his second start tomorrow, weather permitting.