THE COMEDOWN

Things are still rosy after the Celtics won the NBA Championship earlier this month. But the Red Sox are struggling. Yes, they're winning their fair share of games and are the first team in baseball to win 50 games. But they are losing a bunch of 1-run games, due mostly to a poor bullpen. The Sox went 3-3 this week but they should have won at least 5. I traveled into Fenway to watch Beckett/Haren duel on Monday. The Sox lost 2-1 and had many late opportunities to win. The team used a late rally the following night to start a win streak that was not halted until Saturday night. In that game, the team blew leads of 4-0 and 9-6 before losing 11-10 in Houston. Then the team wasted another great start from Beckett as the bullpen, particularly Okijima, blew the game in the eighth and fell again by a run 3-2.

Not acceptable. Especially against poor teams such as Arizona and Houston. The team is horrible on the road. The bullpen is inconsistent. The offense the same. They leave too many men on base, including 12 through 7 innings today. They waste great starting pitching. And for that they are now in 2nd place, for the first time in a couple years.

Where do we go from here. It's a long season and they still are the best team. They have 7 solid starters and Big Papi will return in early August. But for now they have a huge week ahead. They travel to Tampa, who owns a 1/2 game lead on the good guys and then NY for 4 games. In Tampa, the teams may brawl again like they did a couple weeks ago. In NY, the team has a big-swing 4 game matchup and the pinstripes are only 5 games back. Should be interesting. A 4-3 mark would be sufficient. Though I am obviously pissed at our boys..........Go Red Sox!

In other small news, the Sox Triple AAA team is flourishing with players who are ready to join the big club but there are no roster spots. They are 52-32, the best record in the International league. The New England Revolution, our MLS team, is once again cruising in 1st place with a league high record of 9-4-3.