What a difference a few weeks makes! Just before the All-Star break, Julio Lugo had gone hitless in 33 at-bats, and people were asking for a shortstop contract at the deadline. Others had said that Alex Cora should become the everyday guy. Fast forward to today, where Lugo’s single yesterday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox allowed him to continue his season-best 12-game hitting streak.
Earlier in the week, Lugo thanked fans in an interview about his recent success. “I want to thank the fans for not giving up on me,” he said. To the winner goes the spoils, as fans gave thanks on Friday night, after Lugo delivered a grand slam to open a 6-3 game in the eighth inning. As he came around the third turn, Manny Ramirez lifted him into the air and then received a rare curtain call at Fenway Park. He came off the bench and awarded the Fenway Faithful with a two-handed point.
It was a moment that could not have been better written. Now it doesn’t look like Lugo is heading to a new ZIP code any time soon. He just goes to show that when you stick with the characters, like Lugo, Mike Lowell, and Coco Crisp, the team will be much better off. The Red Sox snapped out of their slump this weekend that had previously allowed the Yankees to within 7.5 games, and it looks like by going on the road today against Cleveland, the team is finally firing on all cylinders.
Side note: Welcome back, Jon Lester! This could be the good story of the season, as the 23-year-old lefty takes the mound in Cleveland tonight. How effective he will be remains to be seen, but after last year’s battle with cancer, Red Sox Nation is eager to see Jon Lester back on the mound.
