Moss leads offensive charge as Red Sox pound Rays, 7-3

Statistics only sometimes tell the story of a baseball game. If you look at the box score from last night's game, it appears that Clay Buchholz delivered another solid start. He allowed just one run and five hits, and struck out six over 5.1 innings. Though he continued a run that has now seen the Red Sox rotation surrender eight runs in its last six starts, the rookie right-hander also walked four, uncorked a wild pitch that plated the run and often pitched behind in the count. Nevertheless - thanks to Brandon Moss throwing out Carl Crawford at the plate, and a dormant offense that pounded out seven runs and 13 hits - Boston stung the Rays, 7-3, in the first of a three-game series. The Red Sox are now 18-13 and lead the Rays by a full game in the American League East.

Buchholz was not remotely as sharp last night as he was when he limited the Rays to two runs and three hits in eight innings last weekend, but he lost that game, and earned the win yesterday. He is now 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA.

Edwin Jackson was not nearly as effective Friday as he was last weekend either. The Tampa Bay right-hander allowed a run and five hits in the game that Akinori Iwamura hit the two-run home run in the eighth inning off Buchholz. Last night, Jackson was reached for six runs and nine hits in 4.0 innings. Boston added a run in the eighth when Jason Varitek's RBI double scored Moss, who had singled. The seven runs ended a streak of five straight games that saw the Red Sox score no more than two.

It was an encouraging game for Dustin Pedroia, who has struggled recently but was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run. Moss launched his second home run of the year off Jackson in the fourth. In fact, Moss, Varitek and Julio Lugo composed the bottom three of last night's batting order and each belted two hits. Moss and Lugo also added two runs apiece, and Varitek scored one.

A return to the pitcher's duel is probable tonight, when Josh Beckett opposes James Shields. It is unclear whether the fragile J.D. Drew will return to the lineup. His absence certainly does not hurt the Red Sox. Moss is formidable at the plate, and he plays solid defense in right field. I would rather Drew nurse his myriad of aches and pains from the bench than waste a spot in the lineup by posting another 0-for-3 with a walk performance. Moss is clearly the better option. He wants to be in the lineup whereas Drew prefers to sit when he experiences the slightest "tweak" of any body part.

The bottom line is this - the Red Sox don't miss Drew because of the presence of Moss. While sitting on the bench, the veteran Drew can learn about playing the game with passion and hunger by watching the rookie Moss.