Daniel Navas two run home run enough offense for Sox to hang on for 2-1 win.

Two months ago, Alfredo Aceves famously blamed the offense for a loss in which he pitched awfully in a 13-0 loss. After that game, Aceves was sent to the minors, and many Red Sox fans had hoped they would never have to see him on the mound in the majors again. But baseball is funny, it often provides second chances, and after a 14 inning game Monday left the Sox short on rested pitchers, they really had no other options but to give Aceves a start tonight.

Aceves ran with the opportunity, pitching 6 strong innings, allowing only one run, a homer from Evan Longoria, who homered in every game in the series. It wasnt without trouble. In the second, the Rays had the bases loaded, but Aceves got out of it. In the third, it was first and second for the Rays with zero outs, but Aceves got a double play and got out of that with zero runs as well.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox only offense of the game came about in an unlikely way. With two outs and nobody on in the third, Jacoby Ellsbury cracked a single. Two out singles are usually harmless and doesnt bother pitchers much, this one however would be different. Nava worked a long at bat before finally cracking a two run home run for a 2-0 lead. Twice in the inning the Rays were one strike away from the inning ending, and if they had done it, we may have seen a 1-0 game. For that two run blast, Daniel Nava earns MVP of the game.

Tonight was another example of why Daniel Nava should be an all star. This guy has become my favorite red sox player this year and one of my favorites ever. Nava is 30 years old, and just recently working as a fast food attendant. He had a minor league contract with the Indians, but the Indians cut him, and, after 28 other teams passed on claiming him, the Red Sox bought out his contract from the Indians for one dollar. Yes, one dollar!! He made the team this year mostly because of injuries, and has shown he should have been a major leaguer all along. Hes hitting .300 this year with nine home runs, and has the highest on base percentage on any outfielder in the entire league. He is the Sox second best hitter to Pedroia, in terms of grinding out at bats, working counts, and he draws a ton of walks. Hes also good with the glove, as he is pretty good out in left field. I love this guy.

So the Sox take a pretty sizable 5 game lead over the Rays in the standings. Up next is a four game set in Baltimore, against whom the sox currently own a 3.5 game lead against.