Rough Night: Sox Blow Late Lead; Ortiz Goes on DL

It wasn't bad enough that Hideki Okajima had his worst game in a Red Sox uniform turning a 3-2 lead into a 6-3 loss, but then right after the game ends it's announced that Big Papi is going on the 15-day disabled list, will likely be sidelined at least a month and there's a possibility of season-ending surgery. Crap!

The Sox should be OK in the short term being able to play Coco or Casey and getting Manny some time at DH, but it would be tough to win without Ortiz if he's out for a long time.

It looked like it was going to be a happy night on the field Monday after the Sox rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the 8th with Okajima warming up. But Okey Doke got pounded for 4 runs and couldn't get out of the inning.

BOX SCORE: Orioles 6, Red Sox 3

He couldn't find the strike zone and then made mistakes after falling behind the hitters. Hopefully this is just a bad night and nothing to worry about. Even with the pummeling Okajima's ERA is just 2.10 and I still want to see him out there in the 8th inning.

Okajima almost got out of the trouble with the score tied 3-3, but Ellsbury couldn't make a great catch on the bases-clearing double by Adam Jones that won it for Baltimore.

Manny just missed tying the game flying out to right with two runners on to end it. It looked like a pitch he could have hit out. He'll need to keep up his home run binge with Papi out.

Masterson starts in the first game of the big showdown with the Rays Tuesday night. I like that move instead of rushing Buchholz back. This is a big series. Tampa is no fluke. The Rays will be in the race the whole season and have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.