Final Score
Red Sox 4
Rays 5

Food for Thought: So much for momentum from Saturday's stirring comeback!

A disappointing road trip ends with another loss in Tampa. The Sox have now dropped 7-of-10 and are tied with the Evil Empire atop the American League East.

Though it’s a long season and most of the specifics from this trip will be long forgotten come August and September, it’s interesting to note how one seemingly meaningless decision 5-days ago could have made the difference in Sunday’s loss.

Remember how Terry Francona brought Curt Schilling out to pitch the 7th inning against the Indians Tuesday, despite the fact the 39-year old righty had already thrown 111-pitches? (If you read this blog you surely remember, because I’m such a nitpicker and pain in the butt I’ll never let you forget!) Well, Schilling went on to throw 133-pitches that night, and the extra tosses didn’t help the Sox cause or the ace’s.

Fast forward to Sunday, when Francona removed Schilling after 6-innings and 98-pitches. “Tee-ball� Rudy Seanez proceeds to surrender a 2-run homer to Carl Crawford (his first of the year, mind you) which turned out to be the difference in the game. Now, I wasn’t privy to the manager’s post-game comments, but I’ll betcha the fact Schilling had thrown 133-pitches last time out led to his early withdrawal. (God, I hate when I’m right!)

Bring on the Yankees: Time to put these games behind us and focus on what shapes up as a fun week ahead at Fenway. First up…the Yankees and Johnny Damon’s return to Beantown. We Red Sox fans like to think of ourselves as the best and smartest in the country. If so, I hope Damon gets the standing ovation he deserves for busting his hump for 4-years, playing great, playing hurt, and helping deliver that World Series we had been dying for.

I know a lot of you are angry and feel jilted because he left town and took the riches in New York. Get over it! This is a business on both sides, and Damon was nothing but gracious to the team, media and fans alike. I’ll assume there will be a few idiots who boo, but if they’re not quickly drowned out by 35,000+ rising to their feet and saying thanks for the great memories, I will be very disappointed in Red Sox nation.

So what will it be gang…boos or cheers for Johnny Damon?