Fear Abates in Boston (Temporarily)

Finally, Boston can celebrate something. As he approaches 1,000 years of age, Timmy Wakefield gives Red Sox fans a moment in time to appreciate late in the season with his 200th career win. The victory was not a performance equal to those expected from Beckett or Lester or even from Clemens or Martinez of yesteryear fame. Indeed, the victory required 18 runs, some of which certainly should have been inventoried for near future use against the heroic Yankees or Devil Rays, to secure this milestone. Still, with so little to bring late season joy to the Red Sox Nation this could be the highlight of their all too familiar September performance.

Meanwhile in Yankee-land, Mariano achieved career save number 600 as the heroes continue to protect their four game first place lead over Boston. Yankee fans continue to pray for Boston's survival in the battle for second place.

Next week Boston fans will doubtless find themselves routing for the heroic Yankees to defeat Tampa as they limp toward the playoffs suddenly just a hiccup in front of the Rays.