The Daily Closer: Red Sox Send A Message

Notes from a day in baseball:

• OK, If We Run Out Of Baseballs, Blame Wright. Please note the photo at left, which was on the Boston Globe web site sports front this morning. See the warm sentiments, the fine craftsmanship, the not-so-secret message to Yankees fans at the mid-right edge. It's possible that Globe editors missed this digital gesture, but we prefer to think that they knew exactly what they were letting through. (Also, our sign holder seems to have been given a very generous helping of ears). Chase Wright doesn't see the humor; he gave up four consecutive home runs — on 10 pitches — during Boston's 7-6 win over New York on Sunday. To put that in perspective, we've never even seen this feat in Wiffle Ball. It was the Red Sox's third straight comeback win in a three-game sweep. That's life. One minute you're on top of the world, and the next you're giving up back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers to Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek in the third. Lowell also connected for a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh. Jonathan Papelbon retired Alex Rodriguez on a game-ending grounder with a runner on to end the game, which Red Sox fans no doubt enjoyed. It was Boston's first sweep of New York at Fenway since 1990 (top Billboard hit: Because I Love You — Stevie B). And listen to this! Using keen journalistic insight, MSNBC's Mike Celzic breaks the news this morning that the Yankees may have a pitching problem.

• Howard Powered. Ryan Howard is back! His second homer of the season — leaving him only 56 behind last season's total — led the Phillies to a 9-3 win over the Reds. Howard missed the past three games with a sprained ligament below his left knee. So now feel free to speculate on whether last year's NL MVP is on the juice ... although Beer Leaguer offers this impassioned (Sept., 2006) essay on why he is not. But they're all on it, right? Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out!

• Birdland. All things happen in fours on Sunday; the Orioles won their fourth straight, 7-3 over the Blue Jays, as Nick Markakis and Miguel Tejada each had three RBI. Steve Trachsel (1-1) got the win; Baltimore has now won eight of nine.

• Something Wild. Albert Pujols had a three-run homer in the 10th, and Scott Rolen had five hits, which meant on Sunday that we slept the sleep of kings. Cards 12, Cubs 9.

• Now With Hip Swiveling Action. Look at this photo and tell us that it doesn't look like someone took Hank Blalock's McFarlane action figure and Photoshopped it for the story.