Sox win is overshadowed by Youk

The Red Sox came out last night in the rubber game of their three-game set with Atlanta ready to play and win. Aaron Cook made just his second career start for Boston, facing Mike Minor, a moderate pitcher with the Braves. In the fourth inning, Cody Ross started off the scoring with a three-run bomb over the Green Monster, then Adrian Gonzalez, who has certainly been underperforming this season, went back-to-back. The Braves came back to score three in the fifth, but Ross was at it again in the Boston half, drilling a three-run blast out of Fenway Park for a 7-3 lead. Matt Albers then withstood a Jason Heyward homer to watch Daniel Nava drive in a run with a double. Finally, the immortal Kevin Youkilis drilled an RBI triple and was replaced by a pinch runner. The Sox won 9-4 for their second straight, with Cody Ross driving in five runs. But that's not the whole story.

Sometime during the game, it was learned that Kevin Youkilis had been traded away, changing Sox if you will, to the Chicago White Sox, for right-hand pitcher Zach Stewart and utility outfielder Brent Lillibridge. According to mlb.com, relations had been strained between Youk and Bobby Valentine for some time. Now, I don't begrudge the Sox this trade, much as I love Youkilis. After all, rookie Will Middlebrooks has been outperforming Youk all season at third base, and will now step into that role full-time. But I just think that Youk is an essential part of the Boston team. Speaking of which, the so-called Greek God of Walks is one of just two Red Sox players to be part of both World Champion teams. The other is David Ortiz. And according to the USA Today blog, the Sox are already starting to advertise for Youk's return, when the White Sox come to Fenway in mid-July. Now Youkilis is in Chicago. Well, Youk, I hope you like deep-dish pizza.