Whimpering loss

(July 5)

Short Take:  Changes are coming

In the first inning, lead-off Ray Durham drove a 1-2 pitch over the wall in right field to give the Sox an early 1-0 lead.  What Sox Fans didn't know was 13 runs would follow that score, but only one of them would be by the Sox.  The Minnesota Twins unloaded on our feeble Pale Hose Thursday evening, an embarrassing 12-2 defeat.  Ray Durham's solo shot may well be remembered as the dying gasp of what had been our defending champion team.

It's over Sox Fans, and changes are afoot.  Anything less than preparing this team for battle in 2002 would be malfeasance on the part of Sox management.   The King is dead; long live the King.  Whoever the king might be, it sure isn't the 2001 Sox.

The future of James Baldwin was left in doubt with tonight's effort.  He couldn't even make it through the fourth inning, getting ripped for eight runs on eight hits.  Is there room for him in a rotation that clearly will place a premium on gaining experience for the youthful arms in the Sox system?  Would a contending team want J.B. for their stretch run?  Sox Fans won't have to wait too long to know the answers to these questions.

Jerry Manuel called out the dregs of this bullpen for mop-up duty.  Since there is no mercy-killing rule in major league baseball,  the Sox manager employed the next best thing:  4.1 innings of relief work by Ken Vining, Matt Ginter, and Alan Embree.  They allowed another four runs.

Sox Fans got a peak at the future when Manuel sent for Jon Garland to pitch the ninth.  He continues to show improvement since his demotion to the bullpen back in May, pitching a hitless inning.  He doesn't figure to wait long for a return visit to the starting rotation.

So what is left for Sox Fans to cheer for?  Each must decide for themselves.  Being a Sox Fan means never tolerating mediocrity, so it's good to know changes are needed and most certainly are forthcoming.  Keeping faith with the team and holding tight for a brighter tomorrow would seem the best course of action.  Of course you haven't much choice in the matter--this franchise hasn't gone anywhere in a long, long time.

85 years and waiting is just around the corner.