Game 106: BOS 5 CHI 3

Sox win the rubber series as Miller does just enough to keep the Sox in the game. On the trade deadline, the Sox trade for Erik Bedard sending prospects to the Dodgers and the Mariners to make it happen. Bedard is poised to take Miller's spot in the rotation as Buchholz appears to be more injured than was first thought. Rumor has it he may be done for the season.

Miller pitched okay in this game trying to hold onto his job. He only gave up 3 runs and struck out 8 but he gave up 10 hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings, walking a tightrope the entire time. He left down by one. Aceves finished the sixth and, as the Sox took the lead in the top of the 7th, walked away with the win. Bard and Papelbon finished the game with Papelbon striking out all three batters he faced to get the save.

The nine through three hitters (Scutaro, Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Gonzalez) each had two hits a piece to drive the offense and Varitek hit a 2 run home run in the 2nd. Crawford went 0-4 and continues to disappoint this year. I just can't figure out how someone goes from consistent .300 hitter and 50 SBs to the total lack of any offensive contribution in just one season. I sure hope the Sox signing Crawford is not the second coming of the Mariners signing Chone Figgins.

Great to win the series against a team we've struggled against. The Indians are next, in Boston. I'm looking forward to seeing Bedard in a Red Sox uniform. Hopefully he'll look better than he did when I saw him last Friday.