Doug Mirabelli made the most of his start Monday. He sent the ball deep to tie the game in the seventh inning and Manny closed the deal in the eighth.

Having Mirabelli back on this team, may be the smartest things the Sox have done all year. While his presence behind the plate didn't help Wakefield last night, he has been a valuable asset. The move may even rival the acquisition of Orlando Cabrera in 2004. The simple fact that he bare-hands the bat brings me pleasure. It helps when you only have one start a week.

Kansas City's Luke Hudson was impressive, until the seventh. He had held the team scoreless. Then the Sox figured him out. The Kansas City Star calls it just another failure. The loss put the Royals 30 games back in their division.

This series vs. the Royals should put the Sox in better position though the Yankees aren't going way easily.

From reading a couple of responses to Monday's entry, one would guess that Sox fans aren't too concerned about the team's current situation.

I find it interesting that when the Red Sox are struggling a bit fans appear to be despondent, silent.

I too have fallen into this trap. Though I try to bring reality back to situations when the team is on a high note, rather than kicking them when they are down. And they are down.

There is no question about it. It's nearing August and the Sox are entering their annual slump. The Nation had to be aniticipating the occurance. Yankee fans have.

Boston Herald's Steve Buckley writes Yankees creep back once again.

And Forbes Magazine (of all sources) points out how the Yankees have closed the gap.

Why does Forbes Magazine care? I'd venture to guess that most millionaires support the Yankees. It's all about money, money, money. I am not a millionaire.

Speaking of business taking interest in baseball...Business Week reviewed "Feeding the Monster: How Money, Smarts, and Nerve Took a Team to the Top" That team of course is Boston's Red Sox. The book takes a look at the team from 2000 through 2005's off season. I have not yet had the chance to read it, but it looks interesting enough.

You find Sox news in the strangest of places.

The media too seems to focus their attention on other events rather than the game. Can no one find positives?

Not the best way to start the second half. The Sox seemed to let there guard down.

And Mark Loretta's error, a rarity this year, allowed two runs to score. What was he looking at? It's not like he would be throwing to home in that situation.

Jon Lester pitched well enough for the win. His walk totals remain high (five last night and 25 in 37 innings on the season). The walks once again stopped him from getting past the sixth inning. In fact, last night he was only able to go five. I still like him. But when your WHIP is up near the 1.60 marker there's signs of trouble. With just a little more experience and confidence he'll be a star.

The pitching situation in Boston is a bit unclear as injuries mount. The Boston Globe has the status of some pretty important pieces to the second half puzzle.

The Red Sox however need more help in the rotation. It's time now to look for available starters. Forget how they are going to fit in, just bring them. The more the merrier. The experiments with Jason Johnson and Kyle Snyder didn't work. Cut 'em move one.

That was exciting. Although the smart money was on the A.L., I was a little worried that the National League would pull it out.

But the Rangers' Michael Young is clutch, hitting a two-run triple with two outs to take the lead. With that hit, he earned the MVP Award. Rightfully so, someone has to get it and without the hit, game over. MLB.com has complete coverage.

Though the MVP went to Young, I was more wowed by the pitching prowess that each team displayed. I thought the game would be more of an offensive display.

I also enjoyed the interviews with the two "managers." They were pretty candid in their remarks, especially Ozzie Guillen, to no one's surprise. Managing a bunch of talented pros is probably the easiest job in the world. What do you really have to do? The players have a green light in any situation. If you want to steal with an 0-2 count and two outs, go for it. If you want to swing away at 3-0, why not?

The biggest part of the job, filling out the roster spots. I mean a look at the box is not only a who's who in baseball, but a mess when you consider the pinch hitters, pinch runners, and the many pitching moves.

There were some great plays on the field as well

I realize that I'm a bit of a homer. I will of course cheer for the American League tonight when they field the 2006 All Star Game. Afterall there's a lot riding on this, in case you haven't heard it from MLB.

This would mean that the Sox would get home-field advantage should they make it to the World Series.

Reasons to cheer the All Star Game and the A.L. in particular:

1. There are three representatives from the Red Sox.

First, David Ortiz. He has more home runs and rbis than anyone in baseball at the moment. You could say he was the MVP of the first half.

Second, Mark Loretta - this is a bit of a stretch, but looking at the reserves (Cano and Lopez) and surely he is the best of the three.

Three, Jon Papelbon - His 0.59 ERA is quite something even for a closer. He also holds the record for saves by a rookie. He has converted 26 out of 29, this far.

2. In the last 20 years the A.L. has one 15 out of 20 with on tie.

3. All of the first year participants. I love seeing the "newbies" play. I love seeing their expressions when introduced.

4. Pittsburgh's baseball park. What a sight! What they have done with these new parks is something special. I love seeing the backdrop of the city's skyline.

5. I'm not one for uniforms, but I do like what Pittsburgh has done. For the first time I can see the connection with the host team.

6. Chance to see the league's best of course. Even on the N.L. the stars will shine.

Reasons not to cheer:

Manny Ramirez isn't in the lineup. He has opted instead to rest his weary bones. Ortiz in a very subtle way during the Home Run Derby contest called out Manny. He basically said that Manny should be present for the fans who in fact voted him in. Yes, he did try to back track a bit after making the statement, but it was out there for all the fans to hear.

BTW: Ortiz is becoming a great ambassador for Major League Baseball. As I looked at all the other contestants in the derby, he wasn't the biggest or the most popular, but he was the best received.

2. New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will be starting. That stinks. Anyone who is booed in his own ballyard, by his team's fans shouldn't make it to the All Star Game - talent or not.

3. Fans love the underdog and certainly the A.L. is not that.

4. Potential injuries. This game always worries me. I remember when Bobby Abreu posted numerous homeruns, only to experience a drought after his return to the regular season. These types of things can happen. I worry about the pitchers the most.

5. Bud Selig. I am not a huge fan. He represents everything good and bad in baseball.

6. It's my wife's birthday. A baseball-free night may be a nice gift for her. I guess that's why God invented DVRs.

What a game! What a weekend! We witnessed some good and bad baseball. After six hours and 19 minutes, 16 pitchers, almost 600 pitches, 29 hits, and 11 runs, the wrong team won. The Red Sox had ample opportunities, leaving 17 baserunners stranded.

The Chicago Tribune says it was worth the wait The newspaper Web site gives Jermaine Dye and AJ Pierzynski a lot of credit for the victory - both at the plate and in the field.

I beg to differ.

For, it could have been quite different had Boston's nine noticed Pierzynski grab Alex Gonzalez during the double-play that wasn't. Had interference been called, game over. Boston wins!

Looking at his numbers over the years, I found Pierzynski to be perhaps the most underrated catcher in the game. After watching him play this season and especially Sunday, there is something particularly unpleasant about him. Sure teammates will tell you he's jovial guy, but perhaps Micheal Barrett knew something. Perhaps Pierzyski isn't all that nice.

Either way the fans appear to appreciate him. After a "Punch Pierzyski" campaign, he has found his way on the All Star team. He received more votes than the Twins' Francisco Liriano - the CY young favorite for Cripes sake. Fans can be wrong too.

I can't completely blame the umpires for the loss. The Red Sox had blinders on.
Jermaine Dye overran third and never retouched before returning to second. Heck, fatigue was bound to set in. Boston also blew two save opportunities (Jon Papelbon and Mike Timlin).

When will Francona learn that Mike Timlin has to enter a game with the bases empty? It's painful when he inherits runners. He was lucky enough to get out of the inning with only the one run scored.

The one pitcher who impressed me Sunday (and I afraid to admit it) was Julian Tavarez. He went 4+ innings, faced 13 batters and didn't allow a run. Amazing!

But why am I dwelling on the loss? The Red Sox took two of three from the 2005 champs - remaining in first place. And on Saturday night, I had a Yankee fan tell me that Boston was the best team in baseball - right now. Life is good.

Besides the Red Sox and I get a well-deserved break.

I've been a little remiss in my duties lately, but my theory still holds true. If I don't watch they don't win. So with the holiday and a family issue to contend with I missed the first three games of the Tampa Bay series. Obviously, last night I was able to sit and relax with the Sox for the first time this week. I was not disappointed.

David Ortiz continues to amaze me with his hitting. Even when I expect it, he goes over the top. Last night's grand slam ws no different. The victory helped the Sox avoid a sweep, which was extremely important especially when they face the Chicago White Sox tonight. That little boost of confidence will indeed assist them in taking down the 2005 champions.

Why I love reading home town newspapers: TBO.com writes From broom to bust. Who says that newpapers are unbiased.

I have got to hand it to Tampa Bay. They put on a good show. I was particularly impressed with the pitching that held the Sox to a .175 average before last night's romp.

Losing three in a row to the Devil Rays certainly stings, but Boston remains the leader in the East by three. I hope Tampa treats the Yankees with the same warm welcome, the Sox received.

I'm not sure how I feel about the Sox traveling to Chicago at this stage of the season. Though they trail the surprising Tigers by one game in the Central division, the White Sox are arguably still the best in the majors.

Chicagosports.com writes Boston is back, ready to battle the Chicago Sun is promoting this series as well with Sox vs. Sox: It's about rings, five things

True this is a battle of championship clubs. But lots has changed with the Boston nine and little has changed with the White Sox, though I'm sure they'd like to have Aaron Rowand back right about now.

Boston's Jon Lester has not lost a game and has a better ERA (3.08) than his counterpart, lefty Mark Buehrle (3.86). However his 1.56 WHIP is extremely high especially going up against such an offensive threat. Buehrle on the other hand has been able to keep his walks to a minimum. To me it will come down to the starters. Boston needs six strong innings from Lester as its pen has been depleted over the last few nights in Florida.

The series promises to be a tough, entertaining matchup. Which Sox will make it through the wash. Not too worry I'll be watching.

A side note: The Red Sox are preparing for the future. The organization penned two young international prospects, Moises or Oscar Tejeda and Engel Beltre. What I don't understand is why Tejeda has two names. One to take the cash the other to stow it away? I just don't know. Perhaps that's one is his middle name.