Giant sucking sound

(June 27)

Short Take:  They can't sweep us again?

Why can't Ohio State ever beat Michigan?  Maybe the answer to that question offers insight into the dilemma our Sox face against Minnesota.  Whatever the answer is, you can be sure Jerry Manuel won't be seeking advice from  the fired Buckeyes coach John Cooper.  He never did figure it out.

Another disaster in Minnesota, Sox lose 4-1 with a pathetic effort.  The Twins are inside the Sox's heads.  These guys can't sweep us again?  The Sox are 0-8 versus the Twinkies this year.

Some punk named Kyle Lohse made Sox Fans wish Joe Mays was on the mound.  He at least is the devil we know.  In his first start of the season, Lohse carved up a Sox line up that appeared clueless all night.  

As if Lohse needed any help the Twins benefited from two unearned runs caused by errors committed by Jose Valentin and Carlos Lee.  Kip Wells couldn't be more snake-bitten if he was pitching in a viper's pit.  He allowed eight hits but only two earned runs in five innings pitched.  

If Sox defense was faulty, don't overlook the role Minnesota's Hump Dome contributed.  Carlos Lee was so clueless on a Twinkie homerun jack, he didn't know the ball landed in the seats beyond the left field wall.  Twins base hits that didn't scoot through the infield on the speedy artificial turf were blooping over the infield.  One of them took a funny skip on the edge of the carpet in front of the second base sliding pit, scoring another run for the Twinks.  It just doesn't get any worse than this.

The less said about Sox hitters the better.  Herbert Perry is the only one that managed even as much as two hits.  Five Sox starters were 0-fer the night.  Valentin batted in the only Sox run on a sacrifice.

A matinee for Thursday's finale gives the Sox even less time to recover from the sting they doubtlessly still feel from the 7-6 disaster suffered Tuesday night.  They sure hadn't recovered in time for this game.