So if we loose yesterdays game we're only up one on NY and headed out to a six game road trip starting with Atlanta. Ugh!

Seems like most of our losses are missing one thing, and that's one (just one) big hit. In Wednesday's loss had we come up with one more hit (in five different instances) we'd probably have a four game winning streak on our hands right now. Fortunately last night we were able to come up with that Big Hit and take two of three from Florida.

David Cone (7IP 4H 3R 3ER 1BB 2K W): After he gave up the second homer in the 2nd I said to myself "Here we go, the real Cone is back". But then it was almost as if Cone took a deep breath and said to himself "Wait a minute. I'm David Cone. It's time I start pitching like him". From there he went on to completely stifle the Marlins and retire 13 of the next 14 batters. With the exception of the 2nd inning that makes two very good starts from Cone and this one couldn't have come at a better time.

Brian Daubach (2-4 1R 4RBI HR): That aforementioned Big Hit? It was Dauber who came thru with it in the form of a Grand Salami in the fourth and the Sox never looked back. It doesn't have to be a Slam every time, but the rest of the battery needs to come thru in situations like this as well. Like I said if we can jut add one more big hit a game, we'll win a heck of a lot more.

Chris Stynes (1-3 R): Didn't do anything especially spectacular last night, but he did get the start at third base. With Hillenbrand struggling I think this is a great move by Jimy and I'd like to see more of it. Stynes was originally penciled in for the 3B job anyway until injuries to himself and other players forced him out of there. The defense may not be so great when Offy is at 2B but the hitting is much better when he, Dauber and Stynes are all in there at the same time. I've said it before and I'll say it again, who needs defense if you can't score?

Off to Atlanta for tonight where things are going to be a bit difficult for the offense. We have the pleasure of being matched up against Greg Maddux, I'm just overflowed with confidence right now. Taking Pedro's spot will be Rolando Arrojo (at least that's what ESPN.com has for today) who I'm sure will only be able to go four at the most since he's been in the pen all season.

At the moment the Sox have 12 pitchers on the roster. Sunny Kim was called up and John Shave sent back to Pawtucket. I'd say it's pretty much a lock that Kim will be in this game tonight along with two or three others as long as the game is close.

I'm not too worried about this Atlanta series though, mostly because we're still on schedule to meet my 'plan' for the month. With last night's win we're still on pace to go 18-10 for the month. Obviously I don't want to lose any, but I'm being realistic and I have us marked down as only taking one from this series. If we can escape Atlanta with one win, we finish the month playing 12 games against Tampa Bay and Toronto. Nothing is guaranteed but if our track record for the season is any indication, that could be a very fun 12 game stretch.

paul@redsox2000.com