Angels 3
Red Sox 1

Our favorite psychopath did everything he could to give the top ranked team a series victory over the 1st place Angels, but the offense was once again stymied by a sinister lefty. Julian Tavarez allowed only two hits in six innings, but was outpitched by Joe Saunders. What made this game particularly frustrating was the fact that Saunders came into the game with a paltry K/9 of about 4.5, but managed to whiff seven guys in seven plus innings of work.

J.D. Drew might be having a decent month at the place (hitting .365/.431/.519 in August), but his display last night is what most fans will remember when the team makes it back to Fenway: watching a called third strike sail over the plate with two outs and the tying runs aboard in the 8th inning. This, in addition to a couple of recent high-profile gaffes in the outfield, is just more fodder for a laundry list of items that have gone wrong for him this season. It’s going to be very difficult for this guy to resurrect his image here, but with a 5-year contract that is virtually impossible to deal, he should have ample time to do so (for better of for worse).

The biggest problem this team has right now? It’s not the offense. It’s not Eric Gagne. It’s not J.D. Drew. It’s not Kevin Youkilis’ horrible slump, or David Ortiz’ shoulder. It’s not Jason Varitek’s pitch calling, or the lack of a passable backup catcher. It’s the New York Yankees, who continue their late-season romp through the American League.

The lead is now down to 4 games, and things do not get any easier tonight, as the Sox face Scott Kazmir at Tropicana Field. That obnoxious Devil Rays fan who sits behind the plate and constantly screams at hitters, he’ll be there. Hopefully the Red Sox offense shows up as well.