Hung Up In Houston

After two tough one-run losses, the Red Sox find themselves 1/2 game behind Tampa Bay heading into this week's "Division Collision" with the Rays and the Yankees.

Saturday's game was an old-fashioned slugfest which the Astros pulled out with three runs in the 8th off Manny Delcarmen. Mike Lowell's solo shot in the 9th brought the Sox within a run but the rally ended there and the Sox lost 11-10.

Lowell and Dustin Pedroia had four hits apiece and Jon Lester had his worst outing in months allowing six runs on nine hits in five innings.

Old friend Mark Loretta had a huge 3-run homer in the 3rd for the Astros which helped Houston erase the 4-0 lead that the Sox grabbed in the top of the inning. It's always a bad sign when the pitcher allows any runs to score right after the offense takes the lead, especially when it's a 5-spot.

BOX SCORE: Astros 11, Red Sox 10
BOX SCORE: Astros 3, Red Sox 2

Sunday's game was one of the most frustrating losses of the season and possibly the worst managed game that Tito Frnacona has had all season.

Josh Beckett had a solid outing, but the Red Sox managed just 2 runs despite getting 9 hits and 6 walks. Boston left 13 men on base, including the bases loaded twice.

The Sox had runners on first and third with one out in the 6th, but instead of pinch hitting for Beckett, Francona allowed him to bat. He struck out, and after Jacoby Ellsbury walked, Pedroia flied out for the last out of the inning.

Then in the bottom of the 8th with the game tied 2-2 and a man on, Francona brought in Hideki Okajima who obviously doesn't have it anymore. We've been calling for Francona to take him out of the 8th-inning role for weeks now. Maybe after this he'll finally learn.

Okie Doke allowed two hits including the game winner to Loretta - who burned the Sox again.

Manny Ramirez broke out of home run drought with a solo shot in the 7th, but after the game there was word that Manny had another scuffle with a team employee - this time it was the traveling secretary. Big Papi can't get back soon enough as some needs to get Manny's head on straight - or at least as straight as Manny can get it.