Blazing Saddles.................

 The night before Josh Beckett gave up 10 hits in six innings of work with a walk, last night Justin Masterson gave up only 8 hits and three walks in 6.1 innings of work.  The difference was the amount of runs that each pitcher gave up, as Masterson was tagged for six earned runs, on his way to dropping his second consecutive game.  It was also the second time in as many outings that Masterson gave up a touchdown.  Not an impressive stat, but one that is becoming old habit with the Boston Red Sox starters.

  Our old friend Carl Pavano looked pretty good last night, another bargin basement pitcher.  Theo could have picked up Pavano for less than he paid for Brad Penny, however Pavano weighs less than Penny, so Epstein must have figured he was getting short changed, no pun intended.  Pavano pitched six good innings, holding the Sox to just two runs on six hits. 

  The Sox offense was missing a few pieces last night in Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury, and it showed.  They twice left bases loaded, and grounded into three double plays.  Even Yankee killer Jason Bay got into the act of stinking, as he had an 0-ffer night, striking out twice.  I guess he took lesson from JD Rally Killer Donkey Hole Leave em Loaded Drew.  Speaking of Drew, he left bases loaded again last, second night in a row.  I have never seen a guy live up to the expectation of failing quite like Leave Em Loaded Drew.  If this guy sucked any worse it would be a felony crime.

  Looks like the Sox will lean on thier most consistant starter Tim Wakefield to be the stopper.  Last week versus the Indians, Wake pitched 7 innings, gave up no runs and got a no decision for his efforts.  Somehow depending on Wake always seems like a risky proposition.