"The Red Sox faced Felix Hernandez on Sunday, Jered Weaver on Monday and Dan Haren last night. The three are among the elite starters in the American League.

"They're some of the best pitchers in baseball and they're hot,'' Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It's a tough chore.''

That the Sox found a way to win all three games is a testament to how far the offense has come after a painfully slow start of the season."