GREAT STARTING PITCHING COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS:

Sox’ lead as big as Texas: Win adds to strong start to season (Jeff Horrigan, May 27, 2007, Boston Herald)

Red Sox hitters and pitchers are working in perfect synchronicity and the rest of the American League is paying the price.

Once again operating under the complementary formula of strong pitching making the most of generous offensive support and vice versa, the Sox took the latest step in their historic start to the season by pounding the pitiful Texas Rangers, 7-4, last night at Rangers Ballpark.

Keyed by Manny Ramirez’ four hits, the Red Sox won their 32nd consecutive game when scoring at least five runs and widened their AL East to an almost unthinkable 11 games before the arrival of Memorial Day. The lead is the Sox’ largest this early in a season and the biggest since an 11-game advantage on Sept. 17, 1995. The earliest occasion in franchise history with a lead of at least 11 had been 106 games into 1995 (Aug. 20). The 2001 Seattle Mariners, who ended up winning 116 games, are the only other team ever to hold such an enormous lead this early in the season.

Synchronicity? Manny and JD Drew haven't started hitting yet and John Lester is still rehabbing. The team hasn't even hit its stride yet. It shows though why Theo and company are building around a dominant young pitching corps.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 27, 2007 12:00 AM