75

So if ESPN's announcers knew it, how come Ozzie didn't? They predicted that Javier Vazquez was going to fall apart the third time through the order, which is precisely what happened last night in the sixth inning. The Tigers, down 2-0 at the time by virtue of Joe Crede and Juan Uribe home runs, scored five runs, including Detroit's first grand slam of the season -- and that was all she wrote. Maybe it overtaxes the bullpen to bring them into the game in the sixth, with a lead, but as ESPN pointed out, opponents hit .228 against Vazquez the first two times through the lineup and .361 thereafter. Maybe before, but definitely once he'd given up one run and had the bases loaded with no one out, I would have given him the rest of the night off. Yes, hindsight is 20-20, but this wasn't hindsight. ESPN was predicting it and I was yelling at Oz to make a move before the Granny. I guess he wasn't watching TV and couldn't hear me.

The loss puts the Sox back where they were before the series started -- 4.5 games behind Detroit. The Magic Number remains at 75. Today's game takes on added importance. We really need to Meat Loaf them and take two out three, not vice versa. (We could have used Frank Thomas last night. The Big Hurt drove in three runs against Baltimore on a single and his 20th homer of the season to lead Oakland to victory in the Vanna White, I'd Like to Buy a Vowel Series -- A's vs. O's.) Jose Contreras throws this afternoon against Kenny Rogers in the rubber game. Go Sox!