When Tigers attack

Three steps forward, 1 step back. The Sox loss to the Detroit Tigers last night, 7-4, was a perfect example of what has killed the Red Sox since the All Star Break: poor starting pitching, poor relief pitching and cold bats until the 2nd half of the game.

Josh Beckett and Rudy Seanez (above, who unfortunately didn't get hit by that pitch) gave up 7 earned runs (5 for Beckett, 2 for Rudy) while the Sox didn't put up their 1st run until the bottom of the 5th...Sox fans keep waiting for Beckett to turn into this 1A ace, but it just hasn't happened and there are signs it is going to this year...

"I should have stayed home and played with myself..."

And the one time Manny decides to listen to his 3rd base coach he gets thrown out at home killing a would-be bases loaded and one out rally in the 8th...Todd Jones, who UB told LT just the other day was not a good enough closer to get the Tigers thru the playoffs finished off the Sox on 7 pitches.