Manny's 5 RBI's, homer lead Sox over DEVIL Rays

Manny Ramirez led the way, hitting a first-inning 3 run homer and then adding a bases-loaded single to drive in two more as the Red Sox won their 13th straight home game, 7-1. This was one of the more eventful games this season; a benches-clearing brawl in the second inning when Shields hit Coco on his lower leg. Coco pretended to be heading to first base and then charged the mound where the two of them exchanghed punches. Shields missed on an attempted haymaker as Coco dodged out of the way. The slugged it out and the two of them were taken to the ground where players piled on. Crawford hopped on top and punched Crisp several times while he layed defenseless on the ground. Best fight I've seen in years. Crisp, Shields and Gomes were ejected. The win enabled the Red Sox to move 2 1/2 games ahead of the DEVIL Rays, who are about to descent in the standings as they hit the road for Texas and then Anaheim.

Jon Lester (4-3), making his first Fenway start since his no-hitter against Kansas City on May 19, gave up one run and eight hits, struck out five, hit two batters and didn't walk anyone in 6 1/3 innings. Timlin worked 1 2/3 hitless innings and Aardsma got the final three outs. Ramirez's three-run homer -- the 503rd home run of his career -- gave Boston a 3-0 lead in the first. Pedroia was hit on the left elbow by Shields (4-4) and Drew led before Ramirez's drive cleared the seats above the Green Monster. Ramirez's right knee appeared to buckle when he took a pitch from Dan Wheeler in the seventh. Ramirez continued to flex his leg after drawing a walk before leaving for pinch-runner Kevin Cash one batter later. Gomes' RBI single made it 3-1 in the second, but Pedroia had a sacrifice fly in the bottom half. Drew's bases-loaded walk and Ramirez's two-run single through the shortstop hole made it 7-1 in the fourth.

Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury left the game with a strained right wrist after making a sensational diving catch of Evan Longoria's sinking fourth-inning liner. X-rays proved to be negative and Ellsbury is listed day-to-day.

Manny hits number 500

Manny slugs number 500. Ramirez became the 24th player to reach the milestone, connecting in the seventh inning off Chad Bradford to help the Red Sox beat the Orioles 6-3 Saturday night. Boston's left fielder hit the first pitch into the bleacher seats in right-center. He stood and watched the flight of the ball, then took off around the bases in a slow trot, a broad smile on his face.

Ramirez was slow reaching the milestone. He hit No. 496 on April 19 and had only three in 34 games before Saturday. This one, however, was worth the wait. "It was great, especially since I've been trying so hard the past three weeks just to get it done," he said. "It finally came and I'm happy. I'm proud of myself, of all the things I've accomplished. Now I can go and have fun." As he got to first base, Ramirez exchanged a high-five with coach Luis Alicea. He slapped hands with third base coach DeMarlo Hale, then hugged on-deck hitter Mike Lowell as he crossed the plate.

Many of his teammates greeted him as he reached the dugout, where Ramirez received more hugs and bounced up and down in an embrace with David Ortiz and Julio Lugo. The solo shot gave Boston a 5-3 lead. It traveled an estimated 410 feet. "I'm happy, you know, about everything I accomplished in life," Ramirez said. "Not everybody has the chance to go and get to 500. I'm just proud to do it." There were thousands of Red Sox backers at Camden Yards, and cameras flashed in the stands during every pitch to Boston's left fielder.

Friday Red Sox Report

As the Sox head into Balimore, Manny is holding at 499 and will reach the milestone very shortly. Been in a little bit of a slump ever since he hit 498 and matter of fact, the whole team has been in a slump this road trip. How can such a team with so many fine hitters that were killing the ball at times in Fenway Park suddenly freeze up. 3 runs in two games AND those runs came on a Manny round tripper!!! The Sox are batting .169 over the last 6 games. Ray Allen 'showed up' for the Celtics on Wednesday, so about some of the Sox players showing up for this series in Orioleville. The C's and the Sox are quite similar, actually.

Still waiting to hear about Dice-K's MRI and we can expect them to DL him at least just to give him a rest. Buccholtz going today for the PAWSOX so I guess that means that Masterson will be called up on Tuesday to take Matsuzaka's place in the rotation for a couple starts. Don't expect the sox to DL him until then, but it will be retroactive. However, they could make multiple moves and DL him today and bring up somebody until Tuesday and swap with Masterson on Tuesday. Getting another look at one of our youngsters?