I'm little upset with last night's outcome. Though there is a big "L" next to Jon Papelbon's name, I can't blame him for the loss. He was eventually going to give up a run, let's face it. The American League is full of fastball hitters and at some point one or more of those guys are going to get lucky.

The loss happened long before Pap entered the game in my mind.

Let's put it this way: You're batting say .181. It's your turn at the plate. There are two men on. You look over and the manager is signaling for a bunt. You've got to lay it down. You've got to advance those runners. This is your time to shine, do something useful in the box. It was Alex Gonzalez' moment and he simply jabbed at the ball. Ouch!

That's when the Sox lost.

It's times like this that I wish we had a more offensive shortstop in the lineup.

It looks as though the Red Sox may have the same idea. Though, they are stating publicly that Gonzalez is their guy, rumors suggest the Sox may be interested in the Dodgers' Cesar Izturis.

Izturis is currently on the DL. he had surgery in the offseason on his throwing shoulder or elbow, I honestly can't remember which. He is due back anytime. The Dodgers don't really have a spot for him once Jeff Kent returns from his injury. They have Rafael Furcal at short, Kent at second. So, they will request, ala Alfonzo Soriano, to have him make the move to the outfield - a position that Izturis doesn't want to play.

Izturis is a defensive-minded player, who thinks he is much bigger offensively than he is. He has speed and in the right environment could excell. I'm not sure where the Sox would bat him or if he would be the right fit. Plus his injury worries me.

I would think that the Red Sox would look for other options if indeed Gonzalez is not sticking around. Why we got rid of Edgar Renteria again?

Tonight the Sox again face the Blue Jays in better weather. Matt Clement gets the call for Boston. His counterpart will be Josh Towers.

A baseball season is all about cycles. It's time for Clement to turn things around. He has not been impressive this season. What makes Clement's outing more precarious is the use of the pen last night. Timlin, Foulke, Papelbon and Tavarez all pitched. Scary isn't it? That leaves only Seanez, DelCarmen and perhaps Foulke again.

However, it's a good night for baseball and hopefully a bad night for asthma.

Go Sox!

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