Sports Redux: Clay's Going Away For A Little While

Oh, Clay Buchholz.

You teased us with that no-hitter last year. But, at heart, you're still just a young, inconsisent kid, except for the last few months, when you've been consistently bad. And last night, when your team gave you a 4-0 lead, well...that may have been the last straw.

Yes, the Sox turned the 4-0 lead over to Clay and watched it quickly turn into an 11-6 loss, which will send Buchholz (who last won in May) to AA Portland for a while. Clay didn't even last three, which put so much strain on the bullpen that Terry Francona even sent Alex Cora to warm up. He couldn't bring himself to call him in, though, after watching Coco Crisp go over the fence to try to catch a Ramon Hernandez home run. "They didn't quit playing," said Tito.

Josh Beckett says he feels better and is ready to throw now and pitch in New York on Tuesday. Julio Lugo is sad about not being able to play, and no doubt sadder that in his absence, fans have been able to watch and get used to a shortstop who drives in runs on a regular basis.

Tampa Bay lost, so at least the Sox didn't slip farther back (still 4.5). Minnesota won, so the wild-card lead is down to half a game.

The Revolution bounced back from a shaky stretch with a 2-1 win over DC United in Foxboro last night. Jeff Larentowicz and Taylor Twellman got the goals, and Doug Warren saved the lead, in his first MLS start since 2005, while regular goalie Matt Reis mends.

Tom Brady practiced a little - nothing strenuous. Coach Bill basically shrugged when asked if Brady would take any snaps against Philly this weekend. Maybe someday, football reporters will learn that a Magic 8-Ball will provide just as many answers as Coach Bill, and save a lot of money driving back and forth to Gillette for press conferences.