Take 2 Roundup: Games of Sat, 3/1/08

[bernieh]

[size=24:8c732d6169][b:8c732d6169]BOSTON REACHES .500[/b:8c732d6169][/size:8c732d6169]
[size=18:8c732d6169]Say It With Us One More Time: Hurst So Good[/size:8c732d6169]

<img src="http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/images/baseball/stratomatic/1986/story_photos/bruce_hurst_1_150x212.jpg " align="left" border="1" width="150" height="212" style="margin-right: 10px;" /> Boston hurler [b:8c732d6169]Bruce Hurst[/b:8c732d6169] improved to 14-6 on the year, leading the Red Sox to a [url=http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/1986/scores/boxscore.php?id=1346]tense 2-1 duel[/url] over Mark Gubicza and the Royals on Saturday night. Gubicza went the full 8 innings, allowing only 1 hit - but that hit was a 2-run HR by DH Don Baylor that proved to be the decisive blow. Not to be overlooked was the stellar job by 4 members of the Red Sox bullpen, who combined for 3.2 shutout innings to seal the win.

With the win, Boston finally reaches the .500 mark, which is remarkable considering the hole they'd dug for themselves out of the gates. The Red Sox still are 9 games back in the AL East looking up at 4 other teams, including the also-hot Cleveland Indians, but they have to love the way they're playing these days.

[b:8c732d6169]Meanwhile, up at the top[/b:8c732d6169] of the division, the suddenly cold Blue Jays lost their 6th straight game ([url=http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/1986/scores/boxscore.php?id=1347]to the Orioles, 10-3[/url]), allowing the Tigers to reclaim 1st place where they now sit, a half-game up. Don't let the AL East out of your sight for a SECOND.

[b:8c732d6169]Also:[/b:8c732d6169] [b:8c732d6169]Doug Decinces[/b:8c732d6169] [b:8c732d6169]hit for the cycle[/b:8c732d6169] in the Angels' [url=http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/1986/scores/boxscore.php?id=1352]7-3 win over the Mariners[/url] on Saturday night! Congratulations to Beth Johnson of Santa Ana, CA, who wins $5,000 in our "Will Doug Decinces Hit for the Cycle" contest.

[i:8c732d6169]photo: SN Archives[/i:8c732d6169]