Comfortably Numbed

Cushy Lead Turns to Shocking Defeat

After The Worst Big-Lead-to-Blown-Loss of 2006 ...
Sox Are Slip Sliding Away in the American League East
Hello Chicago White Sox, Hi There Minnesota Twins ...
It's Welcome to the Wild Card Race Time of Year in Boston
More Torture at the Trop, 'Pen Leaks Everywhere, 7-6 in 10

Why Is Julian Tavarez Allowed to Keep Losing Games for the Boston Red Sox?
Throw Back a 40: Even Ortiz Can't Carry the Team to a Win This Time
Nothing Tito Can Do: Manny's Lack of Hustle Will Always Rear Its Ugly Head
Hey Dad: KKKKoKKKKo Krisp Was 1-for-6 and Can't Stay Hot for Long
Manny Being Clutchless: Ramirez Won't Do a David Impersonation in the 10th
We Needed Grady to Keep Jason Johnson in There a Little Longer
Catching At an All Time Lopez: The Corky Miller Era Has Begun
Gasoline Alley Redux: 'Pen Pals Just Not Getting the Job Done
Delcarmen Pitching Like He's a Dan Duquette Guy ... Oh Wait
Francona Has the Flu, And His Team Is Making Us Ill
Et Tu Jon? Even Papelbon Pitched Lousy in the Loss

Can Timlin Still Get Big Outs?

"We're not machines. We're not going to hit every spot every time. It just seems right now when we do miss, they're hitting the ball." -- 8.6.06, Mike "Is this the End?" Timlin

"Dear Mike Timlin,
I'm so glad we had this time together
Just to have a laugh and sing a song
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, 'So long.' "
-- Sincerely, Carol Burnett

With No New Arms Picked Up at the Trading Deadline
The Nation Can Chew on These for a While ...

Edes: Frustration in the Clubhouse

Are Players Upset Because Theo Didn't Upgrade?

Will Sox regret not making a major trade? "If you're talking about inside the clubhouse, there is already frustration that the Sox did nothing to upgrade themselves and came into this weekend with a misshapen roster of 13 pitchers and a short bench. These guys have just one investment, and that's in today. The future means little to them, and they're left to wonder whether the Sox did all they could to get a Bobby Abreu or Cory Lidle or another impact player. The frustration in the front office is tempered by a longer view, that they held onto the core of players that represent the team's future. But can you count on being this close to winning down the road?" -- 8.6.06, Gordon Edes, Boston Globe, Quick Shots: Will Sox Regret Not Making a Major Trade?