CHILLY IN CANADA

The starting pitching hasn't been the problem in the first two games of this three-game set with Toronto. It's been shaky defense along with a chilly bullpen and batting order. Those three elements again failed the Red Sox during a 10 - 2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Starter Clay Buchholz wasn't spectacular, but solid in five innings of work. The tall and slender rookie allowed six hits, but struck out seven batters. He took a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning when first baseman Sean Casey's bases loaded fielding error allowed two runs to score. Before the inning was over the Jays held a 4-2 edge. That was it for Buchholz and as it turned out also for the Red Sox.

Relievers Kyle Snyder and Bryan Corey blew up in the sixth inning. Snyder lasted just 0.1 innings giving up two walks to start the inning. Corey entered the game and before he exited the Jays took a 10-2 lead. Snyder was charged with two runs. Corey allowed a pair of RBI singles a run scoring double and a two-run bomb to Frank Thomas.

For the second day in a row Toronto pitching kept the Red Sox in check. Starter Jesse Litsch went five innings allowing just two runs and the Blue Jays pen continued in shutdown to close out the game. Manny Ramirez drove in his seveth run of the year in the first inning on a double and Casey plated the Red Sox second run with a RBI single in the fourth.

THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

Buchholz was solid in his five innings of work. As stated earlier he had seven strikeouts. He found himself in trouble often, but managed to keep the damage to a minimum. In other words, this kid showed he will battle. Had Casey not committed an error in the fourth he may have been able to deliver a quality start. Regardless, Buchholz did enough good things to expect better days moving forward. He still may end up taking a trip to Pawtucket with Josh Beckett returning tomorrow and Bartolo Colon throwing effectively in the minors. But it's quite apparent that Buchholz is a MLB pitcher to look forward to.

The defense again played a role in this one. The Sox committed two errors and after looking shakey and not making a couple of key plays last evening you have to wonder if the long travel is in fact taking a toll on the team. The true test will be after the team travels home after tomorrow's game for a six-game homestand. This is a team that plays defense well and I think a couple mights sleep in their own beds will settle things down on defense.

The pen has a much more bleek look. Outside of Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima you have to wonder who will step up for the Red Sox. Delcarmen was solid last season, but he's now the main set up pitcher to Papelbon. Snyder, Corey and Javier Lopez just don't look the part of MLB pitchers ready to move forward and become consistent. Additionally, Mike Timlin's health is in question. A Coco Crisp trade might help adress that need, but you have to wonder how quickly that might happen this early in the season. Julian Tavarez threw 2.1 innings of shutout relief in mop up duty, but he's more of a long guy. Craig Hansen is on the farm, but not taking leaps forward. One way or the other the pen has to find an answer. It's by far the ugliest part of the Red Sox team in the early going.

BECKETT RETURNS

Beckett returns tomorrow afternoon to square off against Toronto staff ace Roy Halladay. Beckett will be making his first start of the season after 20 regular season wins and a dominating post-season for the World Champions.