Helter Skelter...Red Sox Swept By Rays

"They're wounded right now and you really do want to be able to take advantage of that moment, obviously. Nevertheless, they also are solaced by the fact they aren't at full strength. It's always a rationalization process. From our perspective, they weren't at full strength, and to be able to win these three games is very important."

"This was a disappointing three days as far as getting wins. We ask our guys to try their best, do their best and that's exactly what they're doing. We'll keep battling. This is actually kind of a fun group right now. It's a good group to work with. We'll figure it out."

The Boston Red Sox are more like a Triple A group, but the skipper has to do what he has to do. It's sad. The Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon gave us the first quote, Red Sox skipper Terry "Tito" Francona the second. While Terry says it's a fun group to work with, makeshift and all, right now they're in a four game losing streak. Last night, they lost their third straight to the Rays by a score of 6-4 although they out hit the Florida team 11-5. Wakes was not as effective in the Tampa Dome as he usually is, not at all, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up all six runs on only four hits. He walked six (!!!) and whiffed three. It was far from his best performance when his team needed it most. Face it, Boston is hurting big time.

In better news, Kevin Youkilis was back in the lineup after a Tuesday night ankle flare up, a cramp of some kind. He did have the trainers work on the ankle in the dugout at times and near the end of the game, he limped off the field. Boy, we can't lose him!

Next stop will be Toronto for three after a day off today. After that will be the All Star break. Here's everything you need to know...

7/9/2010 at Tor 7:07 PM ET NESN/RSN*** Lester (10-3) vs. Romero (6-5)
7/10/2010 at Tor 1:07 PM ET NESN/RSN*** Lackey (9-4) vs. Morrow (5-6)
7/11/2010 at Tor 1:07 PM ET NESN/RSN*** Matsuzaka (5-3) vs. Litsch (0-3)

Have a great Thursday and GO SOX. As always, BE WELL.