Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- There's been a lot of focus on the Red Sox bullpen the last two games and for good reason.

Relievers Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima and closer Jonathan Papelbon have been solid in their roles. The left-handed Japanese import has been especially key.

Okajima has worked two scoreless innings in each of his last three appearances, and has allowed only two runs in seven postseason appearances (nine innings).

Earlier this season -- his second in Boston -- the southpaw struggled a bit, unlike what he was able to accomplish in 2007 when he was lights out for the majority of the year.

"It seemed like every time he made a mistake earlier in the year somebody hit it," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "If he threw a fastball it would come back over the plate. If he threw a changeup he would leave it up.

"I also think confidence plays a huge part in what guys are doing. He's very confident [now] and you can tell. He's throwing a lot and it looks like he's having the time of his life. He knows what he's doing and I'm sure he's getting a lot of satisfaction out of it."

The biggest problem with Okajima earlier in the year was his inability to keep inherited runners stranded. The reason it was so glaring this season is because he hardly allowed runners to score last year.

"The bar [this season] was set a little bit unfair," Francona said. "To get to where we are somebody has to step up, and he's one of them."

 Tags  ALCS Hideki Okajima Red Sox

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