One game, yes I know - but how can I not be excited about what I watched last night?
Oh, and hello from Texas!
Anyway - Josh Beckett, 25 years old: 7 innings, 7 hits, one run, 5 strikeouts. After a shakey first inning, Beckett dominated the game and had the Texas bats confused and over powered. This kid stays healthy and he's going to be a monster. In the 7th inning Beckett had a 1, 2, 3 and hit 97, 98 and 97 on his last three pitches.
And now on to the second J of that show: Jon Papelbon. I've been talking about this kid since 2003 on this board and if any of you watched ESPN last night and saw the high lights, you'll know why. 9th inning, one run lead, on the road. Who is coming in to shut the door? Keith Foulke? No. 26 year old Jon Papelbon. Pap had a perfect ninth, striking out two and forcing a weak ground out. He hit 99 and no lower than 96, feeding Texas a steady stream of 2 and 4 seam fastballs.
And this is a kid that has six pitches.
Papelbon is the real deal and, I think, Boston's new closer until Craig Hansen comes up. Then you'll see him in the rotation.
Good night for a couple of Boston's young arms last night.
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