Sox-Royals 11-9W – 8.4.05

The mighty Sox completed their second straight series sweep with an 11-9 win over the lowly Royals, running their season-long winning streak to eight games and pulling them 5 games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East (New York plays Cleveland later today).

Starting pitcher Matt Clement’s first game back after being beaned on the noggin by a Carl Crawford line drive on July 26th was lackluster statistically (5 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO), but showed the lanky righty’s ability to bounce back not only from physical injury, but also the stress that can come from returning to the mound after such an ordeal.

And Clement’s effort turned out to be enough to earn him his club-leading 11th win as the Sox bats remained Red hot, led by Cap’n Tekkie’s first career grand slam in 120 at-bats with the sacks juiced, the second longest streak in the majors. Tek’s granny came during a monstrous eight-run fourth inning that turned a 5-1 Royals lead into a 9-5 Sox blowout. The Beantown Nine would never again relinquish the lead thanks to the offensive efforts of Edgar Offeria (3 hits, 2 doubles, 4 ribbies) and leadoff man Johnny Rockstar (1 for 3, 2 walks, 2 runs scored.

Thursday’s game also marked the coming out party for Robert Petagine, a 31-year-old career minor leaguer who was recently called up from Pawtucket to fill the roster spot vacated by the hamstrung John Old-erud. Petagine lived up to his billing as essentially a AAAA-quality player (too good for AAA, not good enough for the bigs), looking unimpressive in his four plate appearance, walking once and grounding into a double play before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th.

After a shaky inning of relief by Jeremi “I’m only here until Papelbon learns how to throw out of the bullpen” Gonzalez, submariner Chad Bradford pitched an impressive two inning stint allowing only one hit before giving way to Schill. Despite serving up a gopher ball to Mike Sweeney to lead off the 9th, Schill retired the next three batters, striking out two and notching his eight save of the season.

Record: 62-45
Streak: W8
Standing: 1st in the AL East, 5 games ahead of MFY
Next Game: Fri 8.5 @ 8:10pm ET vs. Minnesota
BOS – Arroyo (9-6, 4.22) vs. MIN – Radke (6-10, 3.88)