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Baseball Today: Thursday, June 7

TOLD YA: Everybody said it, but nobody really believed it. Everyone said the Red Sox couldn't maintain the scorching pace they'd set over the first two months of the season, and everyone said there'd be tough times ahead, and everyone said it was inevitable that the team would hit a rough patch. But, human nature being what it is, in their hearts everyone really expected the good times to roll and roll and roll. Well, they've stopped rolling and last night's 3-2 loss -- which the Red Sox variously attributed to bad bounces, bad calls and a bad travel schedule -- was their fourth in a row and sixth in their last seven games. The Sox stress staying on an even keel over the long haul, and most times they're able to do just that, but last night's exchanges with plate umpire Dan Iassonga (one of which led to Terry Francona's ejection, right) could be a sign that frustration is setting in. (All stories projo.com)

The A's, of course, think the notion of sweeping the Sox -- which can be accomplished with a victory in this afternoon's series finale (first pitch 3:35 EDT) -- would be sweet, or at least their fans do (San Francisco Chronicle blog); the players see the results of the first three games of the series as stemming not so much from Boston's struggles but from their superior play. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Fact is, there's truth on both sides. But the great thing about baseball is, there's always a game coming up, giving you a chance to turn things around. Today's shot for the Sox comes in about eight hours. Come back and follow it with us here.

STAR-GAZING: Latest odds on Red Sox pitchers making the All-Star team: Josh Beckett si (Boston Herald), Daisuke Matsuzaka no (Boston Globe).

EL GUAPO! Rich Garces is still mowing 'em down -- though he's doing it for the Nashua Pride these days -- and is the subject of a profile from SI.com's Joe Lemire. Lemire says he's listed at his "Red Sox weight'' of 240 pounds ''though it looks like it could be a dozen pounds or so heavier,'' and Garces metaphorically throws up his hands in frustration at his ongoing battle of the bulge. (''I'm a big guy, what can I do? All my family is like that. If I drink one bottle of water, it's like five pounds to me.'')

YOUR SERVE, CURT: In a column on ''dangerous moron Gary Sheffield'', espn.com's Jeff Pearlman lumps Curt Schilling into a group with Sheffield, John Rocker, David Wells and Barry Bonds, people he says ''equate volume with veracity''. Interesting to see if G38 responds.

STEP UP: Bud Selig all but orders Jason Giambi to discuss his steroid use. Mike Lupica says it's time for Giambi ''to actually be the stand-up guy he likes to think he is''. Giambi's teammates, however, are in his corner. (All stories New York Daily News)

THE BROKEN CLOCK THEORY: Sometimes Ozzie Guillen's outspokenness is right on, says the Chicago Sun-Times' Greg Couch. Like now, when he talks about baseball's steoids investigation.

STIRRINGS: The Yankees won again at Chicago, making it five of out six. (New York Post) Could it be . . . ?

GET REAL: Writing on YES.com, Phil Pepe says ''Catching the Red Sox for a 10th consecutive American League East championship is still as remote as Uranus, and even reaching the postseason as a Wild Card, while still possible, remains far-fetched because to do so, the Yankees will have to leap-frog over seven teams.''

STAY-AT-HOME ROD: Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez were the picture of wedded bliss on the streets of Chicago, at least until photographers got too close. (New York Daily News)

BE LIKE LOU: The Times Herald-Record's Michael P. Geffner thinks the Yankees need the kind of fire Lou Piniella has.

AND LIKE THE CUBS: Who are beginning to stir in the N.L. Central. (Chicago Sun-Times)

TEARS IN MY CLUBHOUSE: Not only did Carlos Zambrano finally apologize for his fight last week with Michael Barrett, but he cried while doing it. (Chicago Sun-Times)

LET'S GO TO THE NUMBERS: SNY.tv's Michael Salfino says the Mets are winning with defense, and he has the statistics to prove it. He also takes a shot at Derek Jeter, which should cheer Red Sox fans during these dark times.

MINORITY OPINION: Ex-A's pitcher Dave Stewart thinks it's great that Barry Bonds will be breaking Hank Aaron's home-run record. (Sports Action Daily)

END OF THE LINE? It may be for long-time big leaguer Steve Finley, who was let go by the Rockies. (Denver Post)

DO SO, DO SO: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi fires back at critics who say doesn't have a good draft record since he took over. (Toronto Globe and Mail)

OLD FRIENDS: Shea Hillenbrand is out of a job -- or at least out the starting lineup -- in Anaheim (Los Angeles Times) . . . It's a new year for Bronson Arroyo in Cincinnati, and we don't mean that in a good way (Cincinnati Enquirer).

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by Art Martone  at 7:10 AM | Permalink