Nobody expects pitchers to have a great outing every time out.  Sometimes pitchers have less than good stuff, but battle through it.  That's when their teammates have to step up to the plate (literally) and offer them some run support.

Such was the case of John Danks last night against the Texas Rangers.  When the first hitter he faced, Ian Kinsler drove one out of the park, you knew that the lefty was in for a tough night.  But it didn't help that his teammates gave him no support.  The Sox left 16 men on base last night, five courtesy of Josh Fields and four by Carlos Quentin.  When the guys you depend on to drive in runs don't, you not only lose one game, you lose a lot of games.  It's not like the Sox were facing Nolan Ryan last night either, but they continued to allow Rangers' starter Matt Harrison to wriggle off the hook.

Last night, the game took on an eerie 2007 feel to it as the Sox got adequate pitching but absolutely no offense. 

Adding injury to insult, Josh Fields became the second Sox player in as many nights to be plunked on the hand by a pitched ball.  Fields stayed in the game, but his future tonight is cloudy.  Jermaine Dye is already day to day with a brusied hand from Saturday night's beaning.

One bright spot was the play of Jason Nix, who went 2 for 3 with an RBI in his Sox debut.  If Nix is capable of playing third, he should start for Fields tonight.  Lead him off, hit Getz second and let's see what happens.  At this point, this offense needs a jump start.

Lighting Round:

• Why does ESPN's Jon Miller pronounce Wilson Betemit's last name like he is test beef ? (BETA MEAT)
• Joe Morgan says Dewayne Wise is the Sox best hope at leadoff because "he brings speed."  Um Joe, Brett Lillibridge could blow Wise away in the 40 and Chris Getz and Jayson Nix would certainly challenge him.  Do you ever do any homework or do you just show up every week and let your sphincter do the talking?
• We told you Sunday that the discussion about Jose Contreras was not far off.  Apparently, it's game on.
• Look! The Titanic has purchased a new deck chair.  Meanwhile, the Tin Woodsman is on his way to the Emerald City.
• "The Answer" continues to make our man crush look good.  (Sports By Brooks)
• Don't fear Willie, ladies, he's probably still scared to death to go over the middle. (Sports By Brooks)
• Broncos owner says if you call Bears QB Jay Cutler, don't expect him to call you back.  Just a sidebar: With the way this Cutler deal went down and the way the Brett Favre situation went down last year, do you get the impression that agent Bus Cook is fast becoming the Scott Boras of football?  (Pro Football Talk)
• One of the guys who has been tormenting the Blackhawks will not be in uniform tomorrow night.