Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE _ Whatever is in the water here, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek should bottle it and take it with him for the rest of the season.

Varitek has been struggling at the plate this season, but he seems to have found his stroke the last two games against the Orioles.

He hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning Monday night and he did the same thing again on Tuesday night. It was the first time since Sept. 21 and 22 of last season that Varitek hit homers in back-to-back games.

With his blast on Tuesday he also becomes the first catcher in club history to record nine 10-homer seasons, and ties former receiver Carlton Fisk with seven consecutive seasons with 10 or more.

"It's been great," said Sox' Dustin Pedroia, referring to Varitek's recent resurgence. "Hopefully he can catch fire and keep it going. He's swinging the bat real well and he needs that. Everyone goes through a tough stretch during the season, his was just longer than a lot of peoples. He'll be fine and hopefully it'll last the next 30 games."

Varitek now has three RBI and three hits in the last two games.

"If he's hitting .220, but he's not a .220 hitter down the stretch and Ellsbury's getting on and stealing bases, we're a different team," said Francona. "That was very encouraging."

So what does Varitek get rewarded for his surge? He's getting a day off.

Francona said Varitek wasn't too happy with him after Tuesday's game for the fact that the manager told The Captain that he will not play Wednesday in the series finale here. The Red Sox have an off-day on Thursday, so this decision will give Varitek two days off before Boston plays the Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday.

"I don't think [playing Wednesday] is in his best interest," said Francona. "We'll run him right into the ground. We'll let him come into the game a little later, he just can't catch every day. Because Tim Wakefield is on the DL, Tek can't catch every game; that won't work."

 Tags  Jason Varitek Red Sox

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