Lowe Down Effort

(August 20)

Short take:  Does it really make any difference?

After a weekend sweep against Oakland, a trip to Kansas City ought to feel like baseball purgatory.  The Sox aren't good enough to go to heaven, and they aren't bad enough to be in last-place.  Maybe a few centuries worth of games playing K.C. would cleanse their "sins".  Unfortunately they can't even beat the Royals anymore.  A lifeless effort leads to another loss 10-1.  That's four in a row.

Sean Lowe started and went seven innings but not before giving up seven earned runs and thirteen hits.  Jerry Manuel left him out there to save his overworked bullpen still tired from throwing batting practice for Oakland.  

How bad was it?  Sox Fans were relieved when pitching waste Alan Embree came into the game for the eighth.  Yeah, thirdbasemen Jose Valentin made two errors that led to one unearned run.  Some dolt will suggest Manos lost this game.  Was he pitching B.P. for the Royals?

Meanwhile the Sox bats were silent against the mighty Blake Stein.  Ray Durham was benched, Jose Valentin led off, went 0 for 4 with two K's.  Can Jerry Manuel possibly do anything more to screw up the sparkplug for the 2000 championship team?  He stuck him in centerfield, repeatedly plays him at third base, and can't figure out Jose is not a lead-off man.  Sox Fans half-expect Wrong-Way Manuel to put Mr. Versatile Josh Paul in the lead-off spot tomorrow.  

A pathetic effort at the plate, on the mound, in the field, and inside the dugout.  Other than that, things are just fine for Sox Fans.