Youk, Lowell Take Matters Into Their Own Hands

After brawl, rain, Sox take down Tigers 7-5.

Someone forgot to tell Tony the Tigers that the Red Sox' starting pitcher was playing high school baseball last year. When Junichi Tazawa hit Tigers' star Miguel Cabrera in the first inning, El Tigres took offense and plunked Youk (of course Youk) straight in the back. Youk charged the mound, the benches and bullpens cleared, the gods got angry and decided on a rain delay, and Mikey Lowell homered twice to really show the Tigers who's boss.


Det (59-53) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 7 1
Bos (64-48) 0 3 1 0 2 0 1 0 - 7 7 1

Tazawa 5IP 4H 1ER 6K
Cabrera 1IP 1H 0ER 1K
Saito 1IP 0H 0ER 1K
Bard 1IP 0H 0ER 2K
Papelbon 1IP 2H 2ER 3K

Things you need to know:
Lowell came in to replace Youk, who was ejected during the brawl, and hit two dingers. Tazawa allowed three runs, only two earned, in his first major league start. Bay homered for the third time in four games. Jacoby stole his 52nd base, marching (running) toward a club-record 54. Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello maintains that hitting Youk was unintentional, I do not.

Globe game report.
Hearld game report.

3 Strikes:

• USA Today says that depth and emotion are keying the Sox.

I say it's emotion and Heidi Watney.

• Bill Simmons rails against steroids and copes with Big Papi.

I just cry.

• SawxBlog was at the game last night and thinks that the Sox are still in this thing.

Hell yes. "Still standing with 50 games to go."

Tonight:
Det (59-53)
Galarraga (6-10, 5.23ERA)
at
Bos (64-48)
Beckett (13-4, 3.12ERA)

Game time 7:10pm