Catch-22

Sweet Jesus, did that really happen last night?
If I don't turn on the TV or radio, if I don't pick up a newspaper, I can just will it away, can't I?

Out of sight, out of mind, out of cell phone range.
(Is it possible to find a pocket of isolation any longer in our shrunken world? If so, I'd like a one-way ticket, please.)

Truth is, I haven't blogged in a while because blogs, by their nature, are b*tch forums, and when it comes to our boys, brethren, there hasn't been much to whine about. We've won six straight series, we still haven't lost to the Yankees, we have the best record in the American League.

But last night's events beg comment, and here's mine: Our downfall began the minute Jason Varitek was taken out of the game.
Tek: The one guy in the infield who knew there were only two outs in the bottom of the sixth and didn't follow the lead of Julio Lugo and trot off the field.

'Nuff ced.

I understand why he was taken out, of course. It was a 10-1 game and he'll be catching this afternoon. It was the right move.
But George Kottaras, for some reason, clearly wasn't ready to play. Justin Masterson, in a twinkling, went from cruise control to unable to get anyone out.

And the rest of the bullpen following suit? It seems more than just a coincidence. It wouldn't have happened with Tek behind the plate.

Kottaras' crowning achievement was getting throw out at the plate in the top of eighth. On that play, the final die was cast. If Kottaras scores, as he should have, we add to a 10-6 lead, perhaps get more runs and, most critically, grab back momentum.
Instead, it kept building in Baltimore's favor. A palpable force: Saito actually seemed physically unable to throw pitches in the bottom of the eighth.

Meanwhile, Geoff Zaun, Baltimore's backup catcher, came on in the ninth and blocked a handful of balls in the dirt preventing the tying run from getting in scoring position until Youk got hit by a pitch.

We talk about this Red Sox team having enviable depth, both in terms of position players and pitchers. Yesterday's events, between Lowell going on the DL and a 10-1 lead melting away, erode that notion a bit.

And championship teams don't lose games like that. They don't lose focus so dramatically.

In the end, I guess (hope), we chalk it up as a momentary blip, a well-timed kick in the pants, a loss more monumental in our psyche than in the standings.
We hang our hat on Smoltz pitching well, curse a poorly timed rain delay and look forward to Revolver Beckett putting the finishing touches on a 6-3 road trip.

OK, let me wake up now...