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JASON VARITEK & KEITH FOULKE |
THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
Red Sox hitters back Bronson Arroyo
August 21, 2004 ... Treating one of Arroyo's rockiest outings of the season as if it were just another
pebble on the basepaths, the Sox rallied behind the mighty bats of Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek for their fifth straight victory as they snuffed the White Sox, 10-7,
today before 37,303 at US Cellular Field.
So it was that Arroyo went from barely escaping a smackdown to the winner's circle as the Sox improved to 13-6 in August, won a third straight road series for the first time this year, and maintained a share of the wild-card lead.
Manny Ramirez knocked in five runs with a three-run homer and a pair of singles, and the white-hot Varitek, who scorched his 16th and 17th jacks of the season and has shown no sign of late-season fatigue.
So what if Arroyo lacked it from the moment he began warming up. He persevered to improve to 6-9 with a 4.29 ERA despite surrendering five runs on seven hits, three walks, and two hit batsmen over 5 2/3 innings. Fortunately for him, the Sox battled with him. Before Arroyo fired his first
pitch, Ramirez slugged his league-leading 32d homer of the season, a three-run shot off lefthanded starter Josh Stewart, a Triple A call-up. Johnny Damon singled to left-center leading off and Orlando Cabrera reached on a bunt single (the first of the year for the Sox) to set the table for
Ramirez.
Brian Daubach has hit 19 home runs and knocked in 70 runs in 76 games for Triple A Pawtucket. He was batting .315 with runners in scoring position and .200 with the bases empty.
Jonathan Papelbon, a fourth rounder last year out of Mississippi State, has overpowered the Florida State League for Single A Sarasota. Papelbon entered last night ranked among the leaders in wins (he was 12-5), ERA (2.75), and strikeouts (143 in 117 2/3 innings). Opponents were batting only
.217 against him. |
