TOUGH START

For all of the good things the Red sox did to erase a five game deficit in the division before the All-Star break last night's first game back was just as ugly. The pitching and defense was not good and a little bad luck mixed in spelled doom in an 11-3 loss to the Angles.

Starting pitcher Clay Buchholz was inconsistent in his 4.2 innings of work. The young lefty gave up 4 earned runs on eight hits and an error by shortstop Alex Cora allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate. And Buchholz luck didn't do him any favors either. With runners on first and second with one-out Vlad Guerrero hit a shot back up the middle. Because of the Red Sox shifting Dustin Pedroia over behind second base it looked as if the visitors would escape the jam with an inning ending double-play. However, Buchholz didn't have time to get out of the way of the ball. It hit the pitcher in the foot and bounced towards first base. Kevin Youkilis fielded the ball to get an out at first, but the angels were still alive. Tori Hunter followed with a gound ball to short that Cora bobbled allowing Hunter to reach first and a run scored. Before the innings was over the angels had an 8-3 lead.

It was one of those nights for the Red Sox. With everyone worried about Big Papi getting back asap, this loss had nothing to do with run support. Buchholz has now made two starts since being called up from Pawtucket and he now has two losses. He's failed to go the six innings in either start.

Today the Sox play an afternoon game hoping turn things around in a hurry. Tampa Bay is now a half game in the lead for the division. It's important the Red Sox put forward a winning effort as to not lose the momentum they built up prior to the All-Star break.