I can't get over the sight of Matt Clement holding his head on the mound last night after ball hit him flush against his right side. At first it looked like it hit his temple and I must confess I was sickened by the scene. It was reminescent of Bryce Florie's knock down in 1999.

My thoughts and prayers are with Clement, his family and of course the Red Sox.

Not to eulogize, but Clement has been the single most important pitcher in the rotation. Without him, where would the Sox be?

Of course he has struggled at times, and sometimes against the wrong team, but overall Clement has brought some stability to the starting five. Without question, he's been Boston's ace.

How long he will be out is anyone's guess. The Boston Herald reports that Clement's prognosis is good. We can only hope and pray.

However, from a fan's point of view in a penant race, if he misses one start, it's too many.

Boston.com writes Sox get a scare. An understatement for sure. The sight of seeing The Ace on the mound in a heap, must have shaken Theo Epstein.

Aside from witnessing the injury in the first place, I especially hated seeing it over again. What is gained from this sensationalism? Yeah, the announcers suggested those with weak stomachs look away. I must admit my stomach isn't what it used to be, but it was still hard to look away. Though, I wish I had. Oh, the power of instant replay.

I guess fatherhood has raised my sensibilities. My mind wondered briefly as I watched in awe for 11 minutes. I thought of Bryce Florie and Tony Conigliaro. I thought how injuries like this could change a player's life. Neither of those gentlemen were ever the same after the injuries, but each displayed a rare type of courage when they returned, albeit briefly. I'm sure Clement has that same courage.

Not only worried about Clement's health, but about the health of the championship club's pitching, this "scare" is sure to rattle some nerves within the organization. Surely the Sox realize that one injury could mean the season.

Like a tourist in Maine looking for lobster, the Sox will now have to pay top dollar for a starter. The Miami Herald says that the Marlins organization has narrowed its options and now is only looking at the White Sox for a deal. But in Chicago, the Tribune says White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen expects to have the same 25-man roster on Monday.

Which means the Red Sox are still in the hunt. In fact, the fans of Chicago say that the price is too high for Burnett. Not so, here in New England.

They say, the "show" must go on - and on it did. Back-to-back extra inning games. Who would have guessed that Tampa would give the Sox such a fight.

Curt Schilling may have given up yet another run, but luckily Johnny Damon was there for the save. The Tampa Tribune reports that Damon dashes Rays chances. It's more like snuffed them.

Not only did Damon make a brilliant catch in the ninth, he also hit the game-winning home run in the top of the 10th - his fourth home run in seven games. He now has eight on the season and looks to be heating up.

He is Boston's MVP. While his arm is suspect, he runs out every fly, sacrifices his body, and leads the American League in average, runs, and hits.

His heroics have kept the Sox in their rightful place - first.

Reader comments: Without Clement and Trot Nixon, injured his left oblique muscle. (See Boston.com Red Sox notebook)

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