Okay, the Sox are fading fast. After blowing 2 games late vs. Houston to end last weekend, the team was knocked out of 1st place for the first time in a long time. Tampa passed them and took a half game lead entering the 3 game series vs. our Red Sox that began Monday. Shields, whom ignited the big brawl earlier in the month when he nailed the currently suspended Coco Crisp, outpitched Masterson and the Sox fell 5-4, the 3rd straight loss for the club;all three were one run losses. In game 2, Wakefield pitched great but opposing thrower Garza pitched a tad better en route to a 3-1 Tampa win. With the team in a losing streak and frustrated, they had a chance to win the final game and save face. A win would of avoided the sweep, pulled them within 1.5 games and shown some heart and pride. But they lost- even worse was the fashion it happened in. The team built a steady 4-1 lead behind Dice-K. But then the bullpen collapsed. The horrendous combination of Delcarmen and Hansen (amongst others) blew the game when they gave up 6 runs in the inning. The Sox rallied late and should have tied it but didn't- hence another 1 run loss, a 5th straight loss and a sweep. The Sox are now 0-6 at the Trop and trail Tampa by 3.5. With the team down and out, a beautiful pitching performance by ace (my opinion) Jon Lester staved off the losing streak in the opener in The Bronx the next night. Lester threw a complete game shutout as the Sox won 7-0. The next day, the Sox won a 4th of July game thanks to Becket's pitching a Mike Lowell 3 run shot. The game will be remembered for a Youkilis triple the Damon almost caught. It fell out of his glove, got stuck on the top wall and Damon left injured. After losing the first 3 on this 7-game trip, the Sox won the next two. With 2 games left, a 4-3 trip seemed possible. In the 3rd game drama ensued. A Mussina/Masterson duel turned into a Rivera showdown in the ninth. The Sox trailed 2-1 but had the bases loaded no out. So the Sox won right? At least tied it right? No and no. Rivera got Crisp swinging, Varitek to pop up (on a 2-0 pitch) then struck out Logo. Humiliating, shameful and disgraceful. Another difficult one run loss. So that is where we sit entering tonight's nationally televised Sox-Yanks game. The team is now 4 games back as Tampa is 5-0 this week thus far. Here is the lone good news. After hopefully winning the game tonight (the odds are good), the team has 6 straight games at home before the All-Star break. First, take care of business tonight. Then try to win most if not all 6 vs. Minnesota and Baltimore. Enjoy the break. Relax. Big Papi will be back soon.
Pedroia, Drew and Lowell are carrying the offense. The starting pitching is good. Let's go to work!
In other news-
- The Celtics are in talks with James Posey and Corey Maggette.
- The Bruins made some moves as the free agency period began Tuesday with a flurry. The team resigned Nokelainen and signed Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder. Ryder comes over from foe Montreal. He can score goals but will he stay motivated. Nokelainen won a job after a terrific series vs. Montreal and Wheeler has super potential as the former 4th pick in the draft. The team did lose Metropolit and Auld.
- Both the Pawtucket Red Sox and New England Revolution are still in first place.
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