Two things the Sox don't need: injuries to Nomar and clubhouse dissension.
For yet another day, the Sox did without Nomar. His ailing hamstring proved costly, as Manny Alexander could not duplicate his Larkin-esque performance, and the offense completely stagnated against former Sox prospect Jeff Suppan. Suppan became the latest journeyman to do his Cy Young impersation against the Sox, throwing a complete-game five hitter.
Daubach double. Everett homer. Hatteberg double. Offerman single. O'Leary single. The offensive woes of the Sox have been well documented. Yet it's almost disgusting to see this team struggle the way it does. For the month of August, Boston has eked out 102 runs, good for third-worst in the American League. And for all the early-count swinging culprits this team has, the Sox are actually second in the A.L. with 101 walks since the trading deadline. The problem? The putrid .363 slugging percentage, easily the worst in baseball over the same period.
The Sox offense took the night off after the second; Jeff Fassero was nice enough to return the favor in the sixth. Well, at least he didn't think so. Dodging the Royal offense for the first five innings, Fassero tired a little, giving up doubles to Jermaine Dye and Dave McCarty and a RBI single by Joe Randa before Jimy Williams came out to give him the ceremonial quick hook. Fassero took immediate umbrage, and now yet another clubhouse situation for the ravenous Boston media has arisen.
Bryce Florie was summoned to pitch out of Fassero's jam, which he did admirably. However, his inability to pitch himself out of his own cost the team. Two two-run homers, by Mike Sweeney in the seventh and Johnny Damon in the eighth, brought on the inevitable: the way the Sox were swinging the bats tonight, a loss was very likely for Florie and the Sox.