Sox Drop Last Game of Series

Finally home (only for a day though). Tonight's recap:

After last night's clutch performance by David Ortiz and solid return by Wake, the Sox dropped the only game of the four game series this evening. Junichi Tazawa, who pitched well against the Yanks last time out, was lit up tonight (4 IP 9 ER). Only lasting four innings, Tazawa exposed the very thin pen we have (until rosters expand on Tuesday). After Delcarmen and Ramriez pitched, the Sox summoned utility man Nick Green to throw and save the pen. Green did his best Dave McCarty impression (even better than Dave actually) and was hitting 90 MPH on the gun. while walking three in two innings without allowing a hit.

JD Drew, who is starting to get hot at the right time, hit two solo HRs tonight. A-Gon chipped in with a shot of his own, while Papi hit an RBI double. However, all five of these runs came after the Sox were down 9-0. Jacoby left the game with a sprained ankle and could miss a couple of days.

NOTES:

-Jed Lowrie, who had two HRs in his first three rehab games, experienced a setback in his rehab tonight when he felt more discomfort in his wrist. The Sox will most certainly proceed with caution, as the wrist continues to be a problem for Jed.
-Wags threw a side-session at Fenway today in-front of the Red Sox brass; he will not pitch back-to-back days for the foreseeable future.
-Brad Penny was released to make room for Wagner on the roster which was expected. If a team claims him maybe the Sox will get a little something for him.
-Chris Carter, one of the rumored players in the Wagner deal, was claimed off of waiver by who else but the Yankees. This simply means he did not clear, and that he cannot be moved to the Mets until after the season (because he was on the 40-man roster). Because Carter will not be moved, he will have to stay on the team's 40-man roster until the end of the season which will make it a numbers crunch when the likes of Dice-K, Paul Byrd, Fernando Cabrera, etc. get added to the roster sometime in September. The Red Sox have 38 people on the 40-man right now.
-The Rangers crushed the Yanks; the Sox are six back of the Yanks in the division. They continue to lead the wild card (1.5 up on Texas and 3.5 up on Tampa).

Look for more today including what to look for in the Patriots third preseason game at 8, as well as a preview of the series versus the Jays (yes, we're playing the Jays again).