4-4-08: Sox 8 - Tigers 5

April 4, 2008 - Detroit, Michigan

There was more back and forth than there is in a tennis match.

A.J. saves the offense again! Two doubles and a home run and 5 RBI will usually do that. On a day where Jose Contreras was sketchy at best, that's exactly what was needed. Carlos Quentin also had his first American League home run in the second inning.

The offense and the bullpen held up another shaky performance by a Sox starter. This veteran starter crisis should be temporary, at least I hope it is. This is not a good trend to start. The bullpen can only bail out the starters so many times in a row.

The good:
A.J. Pierzynski's 3 for 5 with 5 RBI, including the game-winning home run!

Jermaine Dye's amazing catch to end the game and fend off a Tiger attack.

The bad:
Jose Contreras' early inning performance. He settled down a bit, which is comforting.

The Tigers can rob the Sox batters of hits on amazing grabs.

The ugly:
Joe Crede's base running skills, killing many potential runs.

Orlando Cabrera was 0 for 5 at the plate.

If Jermaine Dye mis-timed that game ending play, he would have gone from good to ugly. It was a great looking catch, but one that he has missed before. Joe Crede is improving at the plate, but it seems like he forgot how to run the bases during his rehab.

The important thing is that Sox are at .500 for the year. If the Sox can take series, they will be in a great position at the end of the year. You can only do that one game at a time.