Sox beat Jays 3-1

The Red Sox had two days off last week due to inclement weather and the Nation hoped that extra rest would translate into some wins.  It eventually did, but not before they dropped the series opener to the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-6.  After Bobby Jenks gave up four runs off of four hits in the top of the seventh inning, the Sox came back with three runs, but it wasn't enough.  The tenth loss brought more frustrations for the Sox and the Nation, but Josh Beckett took the mound on Saturday and pitched all those bad thoughts into the past.  He struck out nine and held the Jays to one run off three hits in seven innings.  Terry Francona also batter Jed Lowrie in the leadoff spot and the shortstop blasted a two run home run to put the Sox ahead for good.  He continued his hot streak throughout the weekend, batting .516 with a seven game hitting streak.

On Sunday, the Sox got another great start out of Jon Lester, who went six plus innings with five strikeouts and allowing one run on six scattered hits.  The Sox bats started to heat up as well, giving them their first back to back set of wins this season.  But, three in a row makes a winning streak and the Nation turned it's eyes to Monday morning Patriot's Day game and held it's breath as Daisuke Matsuzaka got the start.  Dice-K pitched like he was back in the World Baseball Classic and the Nation didn't just exhaled, we laughed out loud.  Long known for his high pitch counts, he only threw 89 pitches in seven innings for the win.  Carl Crawford also got in on the offense by banging a double high off of the Green Monster and hopefully, he can start to roll as well.  But the good news for the Nation has to be the dormant offense waking up as well as the starting pitching we're getting from Beckett and Dice-K.

The Sox head out on the road with three in Oakland before coming into Anaheim for a four game weekend series.  I will be in attendance for all four of those games, yes even Easter and blogging about all the Red Sox fans in the Southland!