Texas Rangers Run All Over Boston Red Sox, Literally...Texas 7 Boston 2

We have to face two things. One, Brad Penny is and will be a .500 pitcher. His record right now is 7-7. Two, Sox catcher Jason Varitek has had a miserable time successfully throwing out runners trying to steal a base. Part of the fault for last night's EIGHT Ranger stolen bases must lie with Penny, but that's just part. 'Tek this year has thrown out only 9 runners of 101. That's pathetic, pure and simple. Starter Brad Penny had this to say after the lifeless, at least for Boston, game ended mercifully...

"I was just trying to throw strikes and I was off a little bit. The way to stop that is to keep them off base,” Penny said. “I have to pay more attention to throwing over to first or pitchouts and not let coaches take care of it. I’ve got to put it on me, not let them give me a sign.”

Oh, by the way, the Romper Room Rangers beat the Beantown Bummers by a score of 7-2. Penny went his usual 5 plus innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, ballooning his season ERA to 5.22. That's not good enough even for a number five guy. The bullpen gave up the remaining three runs in the losing cause. You'd think that after an uplifting comeback win such as Friday's, Boston would come out with more pizazz, but I guess it wasn't to be. Coupled with the Yankees win over the Mariners, they now are a season-high 7 1/2 games behind the pinstripers and 1/2 game ahead of the Rangers in the AL Wild Card race. Skating on thin ice? Exactly that, I'm afraid.

This afternoon at 2:05pm EDT, it'll be Tazawa for Boston and Nippert for Texas. The Red Sox need a win...in fact, they need a whole lot of 'em.

Thanks for stopping in on this way too early and still dark Sunday morning. Everything's good on the homefront and Nadia and I are doing great, or close to it. You do the same and as always, BE WELL. Click on the title of this post for more on the Red Sox versus the Roadrunners. I'll see you...soon. Your comments will be devoured and digested.