I haven't done much blogging recently, so here are a few catch-up items.

• I said at the beginning of the Red Sox 13 game stretch against the Tigers, Yankees, Twins, Phillies and Rays that we would know a lot more about this team at the end of it. After a slow start, losing 3-of-5 in Detroit and the Bronx, the Sox swept the Twins at Fenway, then took 2 of 3 from the Philles and swept 3 from the Rays to go 9-4 in what is probably their toughest stretch of games of the year. The Sox also made up some ground and are now only five games out of first and 2.5 behind the Yankees for second. Of course, they then only split a weekend series with the Royals at Fenway, but they are certainly a much better position than they were a few weeks ago.

• J. and some of his friends on our street went up to the school a couple of times over the weekend to play baseball on one of the fields. In this day and age where so many kids are over-scheduled and spend what little free time they do have in front of a computer or TV screen, I was thrilled to see this.

• The Rockies Ublado Jimenez may be baseball's best kept secret. After yesterday's shutout win over Tim Lincecum and the Giants, Jimenez is 10-1 with a 0.78 ERA. Despite that, when I mentioned yesterday's game to a co-worker I would consider a casual baseball fan, he had no idea who I was talking about. Make sure you watch him pitch the next time you have a chance - his starts are must-see TV.

• Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA!