Give it up for Tek

Although Jason Bay and Jed Lowrie, not to mention Jon Lester, got the job done last night, it was Jason Varitek who made a crucial game-changing play in the 8th inning, snaring an inside fastball and racing up the third base line to tag out speedy Reggie Willits after a failed suicide squeeze.

No, Tek doesn't hit like he used to. But his smarts in calling a game and making key plays demonstrate his value to the Sox.