Thud

Not a good way to go into the first series in the Bronx on Monday by the Red Sox.

John Lackey got hit hard for the second straight start on Sunday, but this time had no support from the Red Sox, who were sitting down Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez.

Armando Galarraga was just brought up from AAA and the Red Sox got just one run off him. Lackey allowed all five runs in seven innings, striking out three and walking four.

Well, so much for bringing some momentum to the Bronx for the two-game series. I wouldn't have minded Sunday's defeat that much if they could have held on on Saturday night. They wound up dropping two instead of winning two in Detroit.

The Yankees coughed one up in the Bronx today, as their bullpen imploded in the 8th against the Twins, as Joba Chamberlain loaded the bases with two outs, and Mariano Rivera walked in a run, and then gave up a grand slam to Jason Kubel.

But the Red Sox fall back to .500, at 19-19. Daisuke Matsuzaka will go against Phil Hughes on Monday night, and Josh Beckett will try to do better against New York against C.C. Sabathia.

On Monday afternoon, I will be at the Yale Club in Manhattan at the BLOHARDS meeting, as they always have their first of the year on the Sox' visit to New York. I will be doing Red Sox trivia and handing out prizes. It's always a fun time and I'm looking forward to it.