Red Sox rumors are in a jovial mood tonight, with the 2013 World Series champions winning the final two of their opening three-game series of the 2014 MLB season against their AL East rivals, the Baltimore Orioles.
Part of that joviality may also have something to do with a certain Japanese closer's birthday and an impromptu birthday party prior to the game.
Per Sean McAdam of Comcast Sports Net Boston, the entire Red Sox pitching staff serenaded newly 39-year-old righthander Koji Uehara with an old favorite prior to Thursday's contest --
During pre-game stretch, Red Sox pitchers sang "Happy Birthday'' to Uehara. Farrell's gift? "I told him he'd get the ball in the 9th.''
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) April 4, 2014
Uehara promptly made good on manager John Farrell's gift, setting the Orioles down 1-2-3 for his first save of the season.
Koji Uehara remains one of the best closers in the game at his advanced age -- coming off a 2013 campaign where
he posted a miniscule 1.09 ERA in 73 appearance (74.1 IP). He also posted a ridiculous 11.2 K/BB ratio, posting 101 strikeouts to just 9 walks.
For Boston Red Sox fans, that is plenty of reason to celebrate.