As we move deeper into the offseason, I will be recalling month by month the 2007 season of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.

MAY

Entering May, the Sox were red hot, in 1st place of the AL East by 3.5 games and 6.5 up on the Yanks who stood in last.  May was a month where the Sox had some tough tests, facing all 3 future playoff teams of 2007.  The Sox proved April wasn't just a lucky start.

The Sox won 4/6 against Oakland, Seattle, and Minnesota to start off the month before sweeping Toronto on the road.  Beckett won his 2 first starts of May, bringing his record to a ridiculous 7-0.  The Sox returned home to face the Orioles.  The Sox split the first 2, setting up a rubber game on Mothers day:

GAME OF THE MONTH: In what has been named the "Mothers Day Miracle," the Red Sox made their biggest comeback of the year and it was arguably their most exciting win of 2007.  The game looked lost at first, especially when Josh Beckett who was already 7-0 had to leave with torn skin on his finger.  It would have been his first loss, but the Sox came back in the 9th.  Down 5-0 in the 9th with 1 out, the Orioles handed the Sox a break that opened up the doors.  Miscommunication caused the Orioles to let a pop up in front of home plate fall in for an error.  After that, Baez came in probably too soon and the Sox capitalized.  Ortiz doubled scoring Crisp.  Willy Mo then singled, prompting the O's to bring in their solid closer Ray.  Drew walked to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate.  The game got even more interesting when Ray walked another batter, YOOUK to score another run.  Varitek had the big blow, with a 2 RBI double to make it a 1 run game.  After Hinske was walked intentionally, the bases were loaded with only 1 out.  After Alex Cora grounded into a fielders choice @ home it was up to Julio Lugo of all people.  A simple ground ball caused more confusion and Lugo beat the O's to bag.  The ball got away and the Sox scored 2 for an amazing Mother's day victory 6-5.

Beckett would go on to miss only a few starts and the Sox were rolling, having their 2nd largest lead in the AL EAST this early in their history.  The Sox won another key series, winning 3/4 from the defending AL Champs Tigers, to really take a hold of their league, as the early top team in the AL.

Interleague play started and the Sox took 2/3 from the Braves, with Dice-K increasing his solid record to 6-2.  Kason Gabbard outdueled Hudson in the rubber game.  The Yanks finally got the best of the Sox, winning 2/3 in their 2nd series @ home.  Red Sox bounced back with 5 straight wins, sweeping the Rangers on the road and taking 2/3 from a good Indian team @ home.  Beckett won his 8th game of the year and Schill went to 5-2.

AL EAST STANDINGS (AFTER MAY 30)

BOSTON 36-16

BALTIMORE 27-27 10 GB

TORONTO 25-28 11.5 GB

TAMPA BAY 22-29 13.5 GB

NY YANKEES 22-29 13.5 GB

The Sox finished the month 20-8 and were off to a brilliant start.  They were 20 games over .500 and had the best record in all of baseball.  They were dominating their division, 10 up on the .500 O's and more importantly 13.5 up on the last place Yankees.  But, little did the Sox know, that the Yanks would finally begin to get going and it would start with a 3 game series @ Fenway to kick off June. 

Stay tuned for the Red Sox June recap next week.  Also, stay tuned for the Mets April recap coming within the next few days.