There have been 256 no hitters in MLB, 249 if you count only those thrown by a single pitcher. Red Sox pitchers have pitched a disproportionate 18 of them and the last two were by Clay Buchholz and, today, Jon Lester.

All the superstitions were in evidence: don't mention the no-hitter, don't talk to the pitcher in the dugout and so on. At the end, Lester was hugged by what must have been the entire Sox field staff including Francona who lost it and disappeared in tears. Almost incidentally, the Sox beat the Royals 7-0 and are alone in first a game up on the remarkable Rays with the NY AL team 6.5 games back and four games under .500.

And, after going three for three in Boston, Ted and Tex missed all the fun while flying back home. I was at work today, caught an inning or two at lunchtime then ran the whole game on mlb.tv.

It's on Sportscenter right now and it's still amazing.

This little outpost of Red Sox fandom celebrates its second birthday today, although it started life as RSN UK. Back then, I was five months into unemployment and a search for a job which eventually turned up a few months later and it changed its name and your correspondent moved halfway around the world.

Right now, the Sox are 24 and 19 and in second place behind the team formerly known as the Devil Rays (of all people) and the NY AL team are two games under .500 and propping up the division, 4.5 games back. In 2006 at this point, the Sox were 23 and 14 but leading the division by a game from the Y*****s and we all know how that turned out.

I'll take what we have with this team and believe they're good enough to repeat, both in the Division and in the playoffs. The Rays are playing waaay above themselves as are the Orioles. The MFYs on the other hand are in some disarray with young master Steinbrenner carrying on the family tradition of interference and lunacy.

Meanwhile, Elmerpalooza is underway in Boston with Ted's first ever visit to Fenway Park due on Friday, accompanied by quantities of SG commenters and sundry stuffed animals. I suspect it could get a little dusty around 5 pm EDT.

My own pilgrimage this year is scheduled for the end of the month for the 4-game series in Baltimore and a quick side trip to Fenway for a game. Scouserpalooza? Possibly, with a chance to meet Cyn, the inspiration for this little blog, and a reunion with Kelly and Beth from last year's San Diego trip.

Can't. Wait.