Friday's  loss to the Cubs didn't bother me that much.  I thought Ozzie did the right thing by pulling John Danks after 85 pitches and that if Octavio Dotel had done his job, there would have been nothing to discuss on talk radio this morning. National league rules, kids.  You pull the pitcher early.  Especially when you have the set up the Sox allegedly have.  It was an exciting game, and in the end, the Sox came up on the short end of a one run game.

Today was an embarrassment.  The Cubs put up a nine spot in the fourth inning on the Sox.  Jose Contreras stood on the mound and gave up consecutive home runs to a guy who was sent packing by the Padres and a guy who is a middling player.  And then there were singles and doubles and another home run.  And then Boone Logan and another home run.

In my opinion, Ozzie should have moved a little quicker on getting Contreras out.  I would have pulled him after Jason Marquis was down two strikes and then singled.  The bullpen hasn't had much work lately and even if you had to trot Adam Russell out there, at least you are trying to change the momentum.  By letting Contreras twist, Ozzie allowed the Cubs to get a lead so big his team couldn't overcome it.

It was an embarrassment.

And when you stop and think that most of the National League has beat up both Ted Lilly and Marquis, how good are the Sox chances tomorrow night against the most effective Cub pitcher, Ryan Dumpster.

Don't give me the excuse that the Sox are struggling on the road. This was not a road game.  The players slept in their own beds.  They drove their own cars to the ballpark.  Okay, so they hit first and the yuppies booed them, it was still played in Chicago.  It was a road game is not an excuse.

Let's hope the Sox can salvage at least one this weekend and then take two out of three next weekend.  It will be tough, considering the idiot schedule makers have them flying to LA for three games and then playing at home on Friday afternoon. Of far more consequence than city bragging rights is the fact that the Twinkies could cut the Sox lead to 2½ games with a win tonight over struggling Arizona.

Heard in the Air

Len Kaspar to Bob Brenley: I didn't see a whole lot of Sox fans here yesterday.

That's because Sox fans aren't a) going to college b) Presidents of multi-national corporations or c) rich yuppies who would rather call in sick and get drunk at a ball game than work.  We have jobs.

Ed Farmer to Steve Stone: So, this is a homecoming of sorts for you.  Did you get to see everyone you wanted to see?

Stone to Farmer: Everyone I wanted to see is no longer with the ballclub.

Stoney sounds like he still hasn't let go yet.