8/31/07 - Orioles 9, Red Sox 8

I've been remiss in failing to award Varitek a Tardcap this season. There have been opportunities, but I've avoided it for some reason. Maybe the "C" on his uniform has some special Tardcap-repelling powers. Tonight those powers, along with the Sox' chance to extend their lead in the division, faded when The Cap'n grounded into a game-ending DP with the winning run on first base.

Tonight's runner-up is Mike Timlin, who, in his 1000th game, made us wish that he was stuck on 999 for at least another night.

8/29/07 - Yankees 4, Red Sox 3

After six innings, Josh Beckett had thrown over 100 pitches and given up 3 runs and 12 hits. He was struggling, but he had somehow managed to "keep the team in the game" and "given them a chance to win"**

It was obvious to everyone not named Tito Francona that he was done, so Tito took a page out of the Grady Little Postseason Playbook and left the starter in the game.

When asked why he let Beckett start the seventh inning, Tito replied, "Great to see ya, Tommy!"





** The United Stated Department of Baseball Cliches approved this blog entry.

8/17/07 - Angels 7, Red Sox 5

Lately, Eric Gagné couldn't suck any harder if his name was Dyson.

Some blamed Francona for using Papelbon in the ninth inning of a four-run game instead of holding him back for the second game of the day. But I'm sure Tito didn't tell him to go out there and throw nothing but straight fast balls.

I blame Canada.



(Tip of the Tardcap to T.V. for the inspiration)

8/12/07 - Orioles 6, Red Sox 3

7/25/07 - Indians 1, Red Sox 0

There are times when the opposing pitcher has unhittable stuff and you just tip your (tard)cap and move on to the next game. Fausto Carmona pitched a very good game last night. He threw a bunch of ground balls (which he's been doing all season) struck out 6 and only walked 2.

But he also benefited from some pretty horrendous base running by the Sox, which brings us to our winner, Coco Crisp. Memo to Coco: If you're trying to score from second on a single to short right field, you don't slow down between third and home.



Runners-up: Alex Cora for failing to swing on a hit-and-run, resulting in Tek getting caught stealing, and Julio Lugo for making Victor Martinez look like Ivan Rodriguez later in the eighth inning while attempting to steal second.

7/19/07 - White Sox 4, Red Sox 2

A couple of years ago, the Sox were the clutchiest clutch hitters that ever hit in the clutch. This year in late innings, they're stranding runners like the cast of Gilligan's Island. In the seventh inning, with an opportunity to give the lead back to the Sox, Manny hit a bomb to the deepest part of the park, only to have it tracked down and caught. Back in '04, it would have gone another couple of feet to the right and landed safely in Mike Timlin's glove in the bullpen.

Tonight's poster child for lack of hitting with men on base is The Greek God of Strikeouts - Kevin Youkilis.



And to those eternal optimists who deny that the blue haze around their ears isn't really the sky falling - the Sox no longer have the "best record in baseball."

7/18/07 - Royals 6, Red Sox 5

The Sox are now 38-6 in games where they score 5 runs or more. Two of those six losses, including tonight's agita-inducing episode, were started by Julian Tavarez.

A couple of walks and timely hits (a rarity lately) gave the Sox a 4-2 lead, but Tavarez was in a generous mood tonight and regifted the lead back to the Royals.

He shouldn't pitch more than 2 or 3 innings, which means he shouldn't be starting. The second and third times through the order, the opposing team's batters are killing him. It's like he's Greg Maddux in the first inning and Ryan Rupe in the fourth. Whether it's Jon Lester or a trade acquisition, the Sox need to plug the hole in the fifth spot in the rotation.