Sports Redux: Sox Run Into Tampa Bay Buzzsaw

Two great outings by Red Sox starters...two perplexing losses. Maybe the Rays are for real.

Josh Beckett, trying to stop the Sox' freefall back into a pennant race, pitched almost as well as humanly possible. He went seven innings, striking out thirteen, giving up only two runs - one unearned on a JD Drew throwing error, one on a home run by Rays wunderkind Evan "No, I'm Not Married To Tony Parker, Please Stop Asking" Longoria. Meanwhile, the Sox offense was apparently packed and waiting at the airport; it surely wasn't anywhere near Tropicana Field. They scratched out two whole hits against James Shields.

In fact, the only Sox hitter to even get to second base was Manny Ramirez, on his first stolen base in three years. Manny explained the sudden burst of speed: "Contract year." What we can't run away from is the fact that the Red Sox are technically in third place, and Tampa Bay fans are calculating the magic number. This has to stop. Now.

The Patriots added a whole bunch of defensive players on day two of the NFL draft. They selected linebackers Shawn Crable (Michigan) and Bo Ruud (Nebraska), cornerback Jonathan Wilhite (Auburn), special teams player Matt Slater (UCLA), and a quarterback(!), Kevin O'Connell of San Diego State.

TONIGHT: The Celtics try to regroup on the court, as they take on Atlanta again for Game Four. The Red Sox try to regroup in general, as they have an off-day before the Blue Jays come to town.

Image from Amazon.