Tough one to take

Last night's loss to the Rays was painful.

Eric Patterson hits two homers, Papi scores from first on a nifty slide, Beltre and Hall come up with big two out hits -- all leading to a commanding 5-1 lead. Commanding to any pitcher on the staff except Hideki Irabu.

Irabu pitches behind hitters all night, fails to get an out on a sac bunt, and for all the scratching and clawing the depleted team does to win a game, he coughs it up. The saddest part of it all is while we are watching all this unfold, we knew it was going to happen.

Offensively for the Sox, the sequence of the game was the bases loaded one out situation in the sixth. Beltre and Drew both strike out. We all realize these guys have had solid years and can't do it every time but can we get the ball in play?

Lost in all this is Joe Maddon's decision to put on a safety squeeze with first and third and no out, in a tie game, with his lead off (and one of the best hitters) man Ben Zobrist. What the heck is the thinking behind that? Scared of a strikeout? Okay you would still have first and third one out with Crawford up. A double play? You would still have the lead. Makes no sense. Jerry Remy is saying he would understand if it was a sacrifice to get the runner at first into scoring position. What?? That too makes no sense.

Just last week, Maddon up 6-1 attempted to bunt to put guys on second and third. Up 6-1???? I know it is hard to judge other people but some of this is just bizarre.

Maybe Joe Maddon can get Irabu back on track.