Even If Nobody Watches Or Cares, The Red Sox Still Lose Like Their Lives Depended On It

You'll be proud to hear that I am really starting to kick my pathetic Red Sox addiction. With NFL Week 1 in full gear this afternoon, I honestly didn't watch one pitch of Boston's 4-3 loss to Toronto at Fenway Park. Fittingly, the Patriots (1) have already matched the Red Sox' (1) win total in September.

However, I couldn't help myself as I read that the Red Sox (63-78, 32-41 home) have fallen two games below the Blue Jays (64-75, 30-41 away) in the AL East basement. Toronto swept the three games this weekend, sending Boston to its 11th loss in their last 12 games. With 21 games left in 2012, the time can't go by fast enough for the Red Sox so maybe they can start to make some long-term decisions: firing Bobby V is the logical start.

Let it be noted that I think the only guys that began the season with the team and are still trying for Boston had good performances today. Clay Buchholz (11-6) went 8.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Dustin Pedroia (2 hits) had a solo homer (his 14th of the season), Cody Ross was 2 for 4 with a double, walk and run while Jacoby Ellsbury had a two-run blast (his 3rd of the season).

Carlos Villanueva went six innings for Toronto, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks. New London CT native Rajai Davis was 2 for 5 with two runs, a walk and stolen base while Anthony Gose was 2 for 4 with a run and stolen base.

Former Red Sox pitcher Brandon Lyon (2-0) earned the win in relief after retiring Pedroia on a ground out to end the eighth inning. Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen struck out one in the ninth for his 20th save of the season.

Ellsbury's two-run homer in the second put Boston up 2-0 but Toronto scored four times in the fourth. Jeff Mathis and Adeiny Hechavarria had RBI singles wrapped around a sacrifice fly by Omar Vizquel (foreshadowing!). Pedroia's homer in the sixth tied it at three but the Red Sox winning is not allowed anymore so old man Vizquel put Toronto back on top with another sacrifice fly, this time in the ninth.

After Monday off, the Red Sox host the Yankees (79-61, 1st place AL East) for three games at Fenway. I wish I could get into trying to be a spoiler but that's the role of perennial losers like the Royals. Better yet, I'd rather watch (work with me here) Boston get drilled by New York which will most certainly happen.

Jon Lester (9-11) faces Hiroki Kuroda (13-10) on Tuesday night (7:10 p.m., NESN), Aaron Cook (3-9) gets David Phelps (3-4) in what's sure to be a classic on Wednesday night (7:10 p.m., NESN) and Felix Doubront (10-8) opposes Phil Hughes (14-12) on Thursday night (7:10 p.m., NESN) in a game that could end 20-18.

Six of Boston's last seven series of 2012 are against AL East playoff contenders (Yankees, Rays, Orioles) which means that they'll be lucky to win any games.

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