db41

What makes you think that the Yankees are the front runners to sign Lee in the off-season? Oh, that'$ right....

I appreciate the help and no, I won't blame anybody if things go awry. I'm flying around Google Earth now trying to piece it all together. It's been a while since I've been there and it's a bit of a pilgrimage for my family. My three kids have never seen Fenway, except for my son's 6 foot photo of the 2004 WS hanging above his bed. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Yeszir, thanks for the reply. So, I'm driving in from Vermont and you're suggesting that I drive around the city to the Riverside station. Is that right? Cheers db

I haven't been to Fenway for a few years now and will be returning to New England with the family on vacation. We'll be driving down from Vermont for the day, probably I-93, and I'm looking for options for a park and ride experience. Don't mind taking commuter rail or "T." We're attending a Saturday night game. Thanks in advance. Cheers, db

The Sox knocked him out after three innings a couple of nights ago, so it was probably his day to throw in the pen anyway.

A few weeks ago I led a school trip outer island to do some hiking and service. While waiting for the parents to drop the kids off I noticed one young lad step out of his car with a NY Yankee necklace on. Before his second foot hit the pavement, I told him, "There is no way you are getting on the plane with that paraphernalia around your neck." He smiled, as if it were all a big joke. I waited and stared. After a moment or two, he took of the necklace and gave it to his mother. He boarded the plane and we had a discussion about what it meant to be a "mile wide and an inch deep." He's considering options on cheering for a new team-- I suggested one for him to think about. Just wanted to let you know that I'm doing my part to educate the youth of America, as we all should.

Just don't pull a hammy rushing to the computer to get the game thread going. We can't afford any more injuries, unless your last name is Drew.

Yikes, my mere presence has caused us some defensive issues: our catcher sucks, our SS can't decide what he wants to do then throws high, and Wakefield can't find first base. Sorry about that, I take full responsibility. Check back in later. Cheers.

Hey all, just checking in... Only one run down? That's not too bad. Thought they'd run away from us tonight.

Tonight, on the way to the fridge to get a beer I kicked the leg of the coach and broke my toe. I rolled around on the floor a while cursing my bad luck, and then, I remembered I'm a Red Sox fan.

Before I am banned for life, let me, in my defense, make a case for temporary reassignment. I didn't plan on Youk getting hurt as it was his spot in the order that ended the game. Though I probably should have. I didn't plan on Tito pinch-running our only chance of getting a base hit (Cameron). Though, I probably should have as Niumann is a known slugger of epic proportions. Let me just say that I have the solution for all of out problems and will arrange for said solution should I be allowed to stay. I know of a young player, switch hitter with power to all fields, speed up the line and a five tool player that has somehow stayed beneath the scouting radar. Of course, he's only five years old but in these thin times he's just as good a bet as Niumann. What'd you say?

Gotta check out for a bit. Go Sox!

Dude! Dubrount's got more sack than Dice-K. You can take all of his starts if you wish...

Niemann reminds me of D. Lowe.

I've got this one today and will take full responsibility over the outcome of tonight's contest.

Bard threw 10 pitches to get three outs-- barely broke a sweat. He played his role perfectly and was used appropriately and effectively. The sac bunt up the third base line hurt. Dice-K, for all his flaws, is a good athlete and fields his position well. Beltre could have easily stayed home on the bunt and Dice-K could've made the force out there had Beltre stayed home. They didn't have their s*** together for some reason and for that you can blame Tito. It's basic baseball you learn starting at about 9 years old. That was maddening. If you get that out, a groundball gets you out of the inning. With runners on 1st and 2nd in the 8th, they had a chance for an easy double play when Pena hit a ball right to Hall. For some reason, Scutaro (whom I like) ran over to back up the play instead of staying where he was positioned-- ON TOP OF SECONDBASE! It was a bad read by Scutaro and one of those things that won't show up as an "error" in the box score. That's two outs instead of one and if we get those, the fly ball to right field doesn't hurt us. Speaking of the fly ball to right field. With runners on second and third and one out, Ramirez has the Bartlett 0-2. At 1-2 he throws him the only pitch he can hit in the outfield-- a fastball away. No slider in the dirt, no up and in (base open mind you), no making him chase. That one pitch ended up to be the winning run. I'd say the lack of cohesiveness defensively can be attributed to the makeshift lineup-- to some extent. However, there are some things that are just basic baseball and you should always pay attention to the "little things."

Shallow observers might view this loss solely from the pitcher's mound. Give the Rays some credit. Their manager got the matchups he wanted and their players executed. Meanwhile, the Sox couldn't get their signals straight on who is covering the third base line on a bunt, who is covering second base when the "shift" is on on an made to order DP, and for the second straight night a run scores when a ball goes back to the screen. Offensively, the book on the Sox hitters must be that they'll chase high fastballs out of the zone. They failed to move runners up, hit behind runners, and execute with a runner on third with less than two outs. All of this, and they lost by a run. Most losses are a culmination of the little things that you did not do correctly; most wins are a culmination of all the little things you did right. When the Sox go back to taking each pitch as it comes and playing the game of baseball the right way they'll be fine. Spare me the "Tito is an idiot" analysis.

Was that JD hustling into second base? What hustle. Must need a day off now.

That jumped out at me too.

"Over their heads" sounds like a championship year to me. In 2004, we had lots of guys playing "over their heads," putting up career numbers.

I've seen this team win some big games on the road-- sweep the Rays-- and then come home and fall flat. I think the injuries keep each day relevant and heightens the importance of the game at hand.

Guthrie's a good pitcher-- limited the Sox to only two runs in 7+ last time. He's got good numbers against our entire lineup-- save Ortiz. We should expect a close game. Is it only me, or does anyone else think that the injuries actually help us in a way? Hold on for a minute, hear me out. It seems to me that one thing this team has lacked in recent years is a real sense of urgency-- letting games come and go with the attitude like, "there's always tomorrow." These guys seem motivated to win and play now and, in a strange way, the injuries have made them a better "team" in the true sense of the word.