SOX SWEPT INTO BREAK

The good news is that the first half is over and the Red Sox are way ahead of everyone else in their division.

The bad news is that they haven't looked the part for the past month and a half.

The Sox continued the 'bad news' by getting swept in Detroit, losing today 6-5. The Sox, as is their wont, had numerous opportunities to cash in their baserunners and tie (or God forbid, take the lead in) the game, but declined to do it.

When your offense is led by Julio Lugo thats when theres a problem. I suppose that is a little disingenuous, as Lugo singled (!), doubled (!!), and homered (!!!). He also threw in a walk for good measure.

The Sox had to rally from a 6-2 deficit as Matsuzaka had his first bad outing in over a month giving up six runs and ten hits including three homers in only five innings. Still the Red Sox pen somehow held the Tigers scoreless the rest of the way, allowing the Sox to close the gap.

The Sox only managed seven hits on the day (three by Lugo), but augmented it with six walks. The Tigers did their part to keep the game close by committing five errors. Wily Mo Pena had a solo homer taken away by Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson.

AL East: Toronto and New York both won today. The Sox lead them both by 10.0 games. Despite getting swept, the Red Sox still maintain the best record in baseball (53-34), mere percentage points ahead of Detroit.

Tomorrow (Monday): Let the All-Star break commence! No Red Sox games until Thursday, when the Sox start a three game series with Toronto in the Fens. Tim Wakefield vs. Roy Halladay.