Tide is turning

And with an almost impeccable timing we welcome back the pitchers' nightmare that is Big Papi. After my post, and RSN wide worrying about long term injury problems for our DH, Big Papi returned from New York and quickly proved the "doubters" (I use this phrase very lightly, in the long run nobody doubts BP) wrong.

With karma-like help to bring him closer to the Mendoza line of course he was aided by the Rangers SP Luis Mendoza. After a very solid start from Mendoza, allowing no baserunners in the first 2 innings, including two K's and getting BP out on a weak grounder in a 1-3 play, Mendoza took the mound and promptly got two outs, Varitek on a foul out and Casey on a line out to shortstop.

Then it all unraveled. First rookie 3B/SS Jed Lowrie doubled to left, then he walked Ellsbury and Pedroia on 9 pitches. After a visit from the pitching coach, (and you know the Rangers bench, slump or no slump were worried at this point) Ortiz lumbers up to plate, takes his normal effortless (for him, not for us mortals) swing straight through a 93mph fastball right over the plate and puts it opposite field over the Green Monster. Grand slam, thank you...ehh...Mendoza.