BUT FIRST . . . There are serious, disconcerting issues facing the Red Sox on this morning, but I don't know. When your left fielder makes a running catch with his momentum carrying him up onto the wall, high-fives a fan (above), comes down, and fires the ball into the infield to start a double play . . . well, how bad can things be? Check out Ian Bethune's Sox and Dawgs blog for a video clip of the play, which kicks off a three-minute reel of ESPN's favorite Manny being Manny moments, some of which (the sprawling cutoff of Johnny Damon's throw while he was in dead center field) I remember and others (calling Edgar Renteria off a pop up, then letting the ball drop and having it carom off his knee into right field) I'd forgotten.

We all laughed when Manny anointed himself as the best defensive left fielder in Red Sox history, but you ever see Yaz or Ted or Jim Rice do that?

AND NOW BACK TO OUR SHOW: All you can do is laugh, because the alternative is pretty grim. The Sox blew a 3-0 lead for the third consecutive game yesterday and their season-long Achilles heel -- the bullpen -- never looked worse than it does now. Steven Krasner has the details of a frustrating afternoon in Baltimore, where a lead that was down to 3-2 by the seventh inning evaporated in the span of four batters with two outs and nobody on. Craig Hansen poured the gasoline and Hideki Okajima lit the match, continuing a horrid stretch in which Krasner reports Okajima has allowed 11 of 14 inherited runners to score and blown four of his five save opportunities. So that makes it four losses in a row, and five in the last six games. As Krasner notes, today's off day couldn't come at a better time.

WHAT, US WORRY? Okajima had nothing to say about the game-losing grand slam he surrendered to Jay Payton, or anything else for that matter, leaving his teammates to do his talking for him. To a man, they say they're not concerned. (Boston Globe) Good, because Red Sox Nation is concerned enough for all of them . . . and then some.

MORE MANNY: You can read Ramirez', and his teammates', reaction to his one-for-the-ages catch in Krasner's notebook, which also tells us that J.D. Drew is feeling better, Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo aren't, Brandon Moss is working out in Florida as he recovers from his appendectomy, and that Jacoby Ellsbury is now 23-for-23 as a big-league base stealer.

FRIENDS TO THE END: Ramirez is this close to 500 home runs, and he asked four of his buddies to make a commemorative video that will be played at Fenway Park when he reaches the milestone. One of those buddies? Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod agreed to do it, but said he kept it short because he's aware of the savage booing that will erupt when his face pops up on the scoreboard. (New York Post)

ONE MAN'S FLOOR IS ANOTHER MAN'S CEILING: A torn fingernail sent Clay Buchholz to the disabled list, and if that sounds like a pretty flimsy reason to be disabled, well, it probably is. Fact is, with Drew and Crisp sidelined the Sox needed another outfielder toot sweet, so they used Buchholz' roster spot to summon Jonathan Van Every. Krasner has the details of Van Every's first day in the major leagues after eight years in the bushes, in which he also recorded his first big-league hit.

WHAT'S THERE TO TELL? Jim Rice gives a matter-of-fact accounting of going into the stands at Yankee Stadium in 1986 after a fan had stolen his hat. (ask14.sullivantire.com)

MORE OF THE SAME: It seems like the Orioles start out reasonably well every year, and they claim they have a new attitude every year. So why should this year be any different? (Washington Post)

SPRINGING AHEAD: As Sarasota begins formulating plans to convince the Red Sox to move their spring-training base there (mysuncoast.com), an editorial in the Fort Myers News Press urges its community leaders not to break the bank to keep the Sox.

'CONTENDER. SERIOUSLY': So says Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal about the Rays in a look at whether or not the early season surprise teams are contenders or pretenders.

RETURNING ORDER TO THE UNIVERSE: Maybe they are, but for one night things were back to normal as Mike Mussina pitched the Yankees to victory over the Tampa Bay upstarts. (New York Daily News) Since it came after a) Hank Steinbrenner had called them out and b) Joe Girardi held a closed-door meeting before the game, many will credit the brass for "motivating" the players out of their slump. But a postgame clubhouse poll by Peter Abraham indicates otherwise. (LoHud Yankees Blog)

THE HOT SEAT: It's where Brian Cashman is sitting these days. (New York Times) Don't believe it? Listen to Hank Steinbrenner for five minutes, even though he never mentions Cashman by name. (New York Daily News)

CAN'T LOSE IF THEY DON'T SCORE: No one's paying much attention -- not even in Cleveland, where folks are riveted on the Cavs and Celtics (projo.com) -- but the Indians recorded their fourth shutout in five games last night as C.C. Sabathia blanked the A's, 2-0. (Cleveland Plain Dealer) And, as Sheldon Ocker points out in the Akron Beacon-Journal, it's exactly what they needed since the Indians have scored only nine runs themselves over that span.

LOOK AT THE FACTS: I've become a big fan of Craig Calcaterra's blog ShysterBall for many reasons -- one of them being his daily roundup of games under the heading "And That Happened," in honor of John Mayer -- and today he lays out the reasons why Barry Bonds' continued unemployment isn't necessarily a case of collusion. It came in response to Dave Zirin of the blog The Starting Five calling the Bonds saga a "case of blackballing so obvious it would shame a Dartmouth frat house."

OH, NO! The blog Big League Stew has checked around and discovered that Cubs Nation isn't too thrilled about the impending acquisition of Jim Edmonds. Cubs GM Jim Hendry disagrees, but ace Carlos Zambrano sides with the fans . . . though probably not for the same reasons. (Both stories Chicago Tribune)

CHANGE AT THE TOP: The blog The Biz of Baseball reports Peter Magowan will step down as managing partner of the Giants.

HAIL FROM THE CHIEF: If President Bush could choose any player with which to start a baseball team, he says he'd pick the Phillies' Chase Utley. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

'PAUL FROM FAIRFAX, YOU'RE NEXT ON THE 'FAN: Ex-Met Paul Lo Duca, now with the Nationals, called WFAN yesterday just to chat, and discussed a number of topics . . . including his inclusion in the Mitchell Report. (New York Daily News)

ROCK ON, METS: The blog Mets By The Numbers has a fascinating interview with perhaps the world's unlikeliest Mets fan: George Thorogood. A Delaware native, he tells why he abandoned the Phillies for the Mets, and also has a fascinating theory -- and one I'd never thought of -- on how the Mets really won Game Six of the 1986 World Series against the Red Sox.

NO GOING BACK: The old-timers don't like it -- at all -- but they're all in sad agreement: On-field celebrations are here to stay. (espn.com)

ON SECOND THOUGHT . . . The blog Athletics Nation is wondering if picking up Frank Thomas was such a good idea, after all.

HERE AND THERE: Mark Prior says he cut off his latest rehab attempt after 10 or 15 pitches because he felt "a firecracker going off in [my] back" (espn.com) . . . Nick Johnson's wrist hurts and he may be lost to the Nationals for a while (Washington Times) . . . Tom Glavine won his first game as a Brave since 2002 last night (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . . . The Rays have signed Scott Kazmir to a long-term extension (St. Petersburg Times) . . . John Smoltz thinks he'll be back with the Braves in about 10 days (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . . . Both the Brewers (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) and the White Sox (Chicago Sun-Times) may be looking for help in the trade market soon . . . Gary Sheffield is back to being a DH because of a sore shoulder (mlb.com) . . . Jake Westbrook and Joe Borowski are ready to begin rehab stints for the Indians. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

OLD FRIENDS: We hate to keep harping on Eric Gagne, but he keeps making news. Now it appears his struggles -- at least partially -- were caused by his tipping his pitches, which he apparently has rectified. (mlb.com) The Brewers are in town this weekend, so we shall see . . . Pedro Martinez threw a 55-pitch simulated game in his recovery from a hamstring pull (New York Post) . . . David Riske has a hyperextended right elbow (rightfieldbleachers.com) . . . The suddenly hot Bronson Arroyo has allowed just one run in his last 15 innings. (rotoworld.com)

-- ART MARTONE

At 8 o'clock this morning, Van Every, in Buffalo with the Pawtucket Red Sox, was told he was promoted to Boston, taking the place of pitcher Clay Buchholz (torn fingernail) on the roster because the Red Sox had two outfielders unavailable -- J.D. Drew (hyperextended left wrist) and Coco Crisp (migraine-like symptoms).

"On the flight there were a million things going through my mind, childhood things," said Van Every of his childhood dream finally being realized.

The dream took on an even happier note when Van Every found out from traveling secretary Jack McCormick that he was in today's starting lineup, batting ninth. Van Every learned that bit of news when he called McCormick after landing in Baltimore.

"I wasn't expecting to play. It's definitely a great feeling. There have been many trials and tribulations," said Van Every, 27, who arrived in the clubhouse about two hours before the first pitch.

Van Every had spent the first seven years of his career in the Indians' organization, having been drafted in the 29th round of the 2000 draft. He signed with Boston as a minor-league free agent this past winter.

He is starting in center field with Jacoby Ellsbury in right field because he hasn't played a corner outfield position this season, though he does have corner outfield experience. Ellsbury has played several games in right for the Sox this season. Van Every is going to wear uniform number 30.

-- Steven Krasner

Little did he suspect that, while the torn nail had a negative impact on his performance in that game, it would land him on the disabled list. But that's what happened this morning, when the Red Sox placed him on the 15-day DL, as much to help fortify the depleted outfield corps as anything. Boston replaced him on the roster with veteran minor-league outfielder Jonathan Van Every, called up from Pawtucket.

Buchholz said the Sox told him they didn't want him to alter any mechanics to compensate for the torn nail and possibly hurt his elbow or shoulder.

"I feel fine, like I could throw. But they told me they want to be cautious with it," said Buchholz, showing his torn nail to the media, having lost a part of the nail on the outside of the finger.

Once Buchholz felt the tear, he was forced to go more with his breaking balls and changeups, limiting the number of fastballs he could throw and the command of the pitch. Ultimately the Twins sat on his offspeed stuff -- unofficially, only 37 of his 90 pitches were fastballs -- and hammered him to the tune of seven earned runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings.

"I felt it when I did it, but I didn't look at it. When I got to the bench I saw it was bleeding, but I didn't tell anyone. I never had any swelling. It was just tender," he said.

Buchholz will not throw today, and tomorrow is a day off for the team. He'll be re-evaluated on Friday, when he'll learn what throwing plans the Sox will have for him.

In the meantime, because of the off day, Josh Beckett will slide into Buchholz' spot in the rotation on Sunday. Boston will need another starter on Tuesday, and that pitcher could be Bartolo Colon if he is able to stretch out his innings and pitch count for his next start with Pawtucket, tomorrow in Buffalo.

-- Steven Krasner

Lugo has been able to field grounders and take batting practice the last few days, but the Red Sox' medical staff hasn't cleared him to play yet.

"I have a headache, some pressure in the back of my head. That's why they're worried," said Lugo this morning.

"I feel good now. If it was up to me I'd be playing but I have to do what they say. They're going to check my head. They'll find out all sorts of wrong stuff back in there," joked Lugo.

-- Steven Krasner

Crisp had an excruciating headache and was vomiting. He said this morning that he didn't recall having migraines in his past, and was hoping the medication he took earlier today will allow him to be available at some point in today's game, if he's needed. If that medicine doesn't work, he said he would take some medicine specifically designed to help alleviate migraines.

"I'm feeling off and on a little better and weird at times," said Crisp quietly. "Last night on the bus ride back to the hotel I didn't feel too good. I lay down and watched TV and started to feel better so I ordered some pizza. All I'd had to eat was crackers.

"I took some medicine and this morning I went out to do some late Mother's Day shopping and when I was out I started to feel sick again," he said. "It's not stomach sickness. My head's just messed up. My head's not pounding or anything. I'm not good at describing injuries. It's just a heavy feeling, more like a wooziness than an actual headache."

Crisp said he was happy when Alex Cora made the final out of the top of the sixth, leaving Crisp in the on-deck circle. Moments later he was getting sick in the clubhouse. He appreciated Brad Mills, the bench coach filling in for manager Terry Francona (death in the family), noticing his distress.

"Millsy did a good job. He didn't put me back in. It would have been embarrassing in the batter's box with the cameras on me," said Crisp. "Once I got back to the clubhouse (and began vomiting) it was game over."

-- Steven Krasner

He said he didn't think he'd need an MRI to see if there's more damage than a simple X-ray would show, and x-rays taken after he suffered the injury were negative. Drew said he was hoping to be able to play through whatever discomfort was lingering, mentioning this weekend as a timetable. He's hopeful he won't have to be put on the disabled list.

"It's a little stiff and a little bit sore but it doesn't feel much worse than it did yesterday so that's encouraging," said Drew, who arrived in the clubhouse a short time ago still wearing the removable brace on his wrist.

"There's still a little problem with the rotational aspect of it so we'll get some treatment on it and see how it goes. Hopefully it will heal relatively quickly. I think it might take a day or two and then it can be something I can play through. I broke my ulnar (bone in his left wrist) with the Dodgers (2005) so I don't know if maybe I dislodged some scar tissue in there," said Drew.

-- Steven Krasner

BALTIMORE
-------------------
Brian Roberts 2b
Jay Payton lf
Nick Markakis rf
Aubrey Huff 3b
Kevin Millar 1b
Ramon Hernandez c
Luke Scott dh
Adam Jones cf
Freddie Bynum ss
--
Daniel Cabrera p

--STEVEN KRASNER

BALTIMORE -- The Red Sox just placed Clay Buchholz on the disabled list because of a torn nail on the middle finger of his right hand and recalled outfielder Jonathan Van Every from Pawtucket.

The Sox are short of outfielders at the moment. J.D. Drew suffered a sprained left wrist in an unsuccessful attempt to make a diving catch in the third inning of Tuesday night's game and it's likely he'll be out for a while.

Coco Crisp had to leave the game in the sixth because of migraine-like symptoms -- an excruciating headache and vomiting. Jacoby Ellsbury, meanwhile, is playing despite a nasty bruise on his left knee and only three days ago Manny Ramirez had to miss a start because of a tight hamstring.

Buchholz was scheduled to pitch Sunday against Milwaukee. Josh Beckett will be able to make that start on normal rest because of the team's day off tomorrow. The Red Sox will need a fifth starter on Tuesday at home against Kansas City.

That also happens to be Bartolo Colon's day to pitch for Pawtucket, so if the Sox think he has had enough work for the PawSox (two starts), he could be in line for a promotion to Boston. He had been out of action since early April because of an oblique strain.

Buchholz was 2-3 with a 5.53 earned-run average.

PREMATURE CELEBRATION: We've been treated to a score of Red Sox-are-the-best proclamations in the last week, in places like the Boston Globe, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Detroit Free Press and msnbc.com. Lost in the huzzahs is the fact that a) the Sox have lost four of five after last night's 5-4 beating in Baltimore, b) they now trail those amazing Rays in the A.L. East standings (more on that in a moment), and c) their players are dropping like flies. Steven Krasner touches on all three topics in his accounting of last night's doings, which includes a heavy emphasis on the game's turning point: The pitcher-to-home-to-first double play grounded into by Manny Ramirez with the bases loaded and no out in the seventh inning, enabling the Orioles to maintain their at-the-time 5-3 lead.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR, GIVE ME THE NEWS: After David Ortiz was ejected in the ninth inning for arguing a third-strike call by plate umpire Laz Diaz, the Sox were down to one healthy non-pitcher on the bench: Backup catcher Kevin Cash. They started the night knowing that Julio Lugo was unavailable, although Krasner reports he seems to be recovering nicely from his mild concussion and could be ready to play again soon, perhaps as early as today. Then the game started, and soon joining Lugo on the sidelines were right fielder J.D. Drew, who sprained his left wrist while trying to catch a looping fly ball hit by Freddy Bynum in the third (above), and center fielder Coco Crisp, who had to leave in the sixth when he began suffering symptoms consistent with a migraine. (Attention all of you who made Coco jokes after NESN reported he took himself out because of an "upset stomach": the line for apologies starts here.) Krasner has the postgame medical updates, and it looks like Drew -- like Mike Lowell last month -- may be out for a bit.

NO JOSHING: Like Clay Buchholz the night before, Josh Beckett was staked to a 3-0 lead before he ever took the mound. Like Clay Buchholz the night before, Josh Beckett gave the whole lead back . . . and then some. Unlike Clay Buchholz the night before -- he was rather subdued and philosophical -- Josh Beckett gave an X-rated critique of his performance that laid the blame for last night's proceedings right on his own shoulders. (Boston Herald) Even so, Jason Varitek thinks Beckett is "really close" to once again start clicking on all cylinders. (Boston Globe)

JUST WHAT THEY NEED: As if the Sox didn't have enough troubles, they'll be facing Daniel Cabrera this afternoon. In an item in his weekly notes column, Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal says the talented but eccentric right-hander is finally get his act together, which may create a do-we-trade-him-or-do-we-keep-him? quandry for the rebuilding Orioles.

RELAX: Despite their recent slide, the Sox are still No. 1 in Foxsports.com's Power Rankings.

THE BIG VICTORY: Forget these little setbacks. The Herald's Howie Carr says the Sox (and the Patriots) pulled off the mother of all upsets: They took down the Boston Mafia by bankrupting the bookies with their run of success.

TRADE BAIT: Jim Rice examines the future of Jed Lowrie and -- since Dustin Pedroia is entrenched at second and both Lugo and Lowell are signed to long-term contracts -- wouldn't be surprised "if the Red Sox shop their prized prospect to other teams." (ask14.sullivantire.com)

OUR SYMPATHIES: Condolences to Terry Francona, who'll miss the series in Baltimore because of the death of his mother-in-law. (ProJo Sox Blog)

NOT AT THAT PRICE: The Denver Post reports the Rockies are still interested in Julian Tavarez "but aren't about to give up pitching prospect Brandon Hynick" for him.

THE NEXT BIG THING: ESPN.com's Jim Caple is calling 21-year-old Japanese phenom Yu Darvish Dice-K 2.0.

RAYS OF POWER: They're already figured out the magic number -- 122 -- in St. Petersburg as the Rays moved into first place with an 11-inning win over Mariano Rivera and the Yankees last night. (St. Petersburg Times) They're beginning to make believers out of people, like the Times' Gary Shelton. And Tampa Bay players who've experienced success before (on other teams, of course), like Cliff Floyd and Troy Percival, say they're seeing the signs of a team coming together. (Tampa Tribune) Now to get the fans on board. There were less than 17,000 at The Trop last night and David Pinto of Baseball Musings tells the folks in the Tampa Bay area to come out and support their suddenly successful franchise.

HERE TO STAY: If you think the Rays are a fluke team bound to fall, Baseball Analysts urges you to think again.

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: You could always count on the in-his-prime George Steinbrenner to weigh in whenever the Yankees were struggling. Now it's Hank Steinbrenner's team, so now it's Hank Steinbrenner's turn. (New York Post)

SHORT MEMORIES: While I don't recall them thanking the offense for carrying them to the playoffs last year, Yankee pitchers, reports Peter Abraham on the LoHud Yankees Blog, are quietly blaming the hitters for the team's struggles this season.

THE CAVALRY ISN'T IN SIGHT: The Yankee attack will no doubt pick up when Alex Rodriguez returns, but there's still no word when that will be. (New York Daily News)

THE ILLS OF SOCIETY: Goose Gossage is beginning to town down his criticisms of Joba Chamberlain, saying Joba's showboating antics aren't really his fault because "no one is passing the torch today (to the rookies)." (New York Daily News)

I THOUGHT THAT WAS HIM . . . Gossage said last week that Orioles outfielder Al Bumbry was one of only six batters he intentionally hit during his career. But baseball-reference.com looked it up and discovered Gossage never hit Bumbry.

PREPARING THE GUILLOTINE: Our buddy The Tao of Stieb says John Gibbons' time is almost up in the Blue Jays' managerial chair, and tells us why.

A GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE WOULDN'T LOOK SO BAD RIGHT NOW: One day after he ragged on the Nationals for acting like "a bunch of softball girls" in their dugout while he was pitching, the Mets designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment. (New York Daily News)

FIXING THE CASE: Prosecutors have rewritten their indictment against Barry Bonds, as ordered by the judge, and baseball's home-run king/pariah now faces 15 felony counts. (AP via projo.com) The blog ShysterBall says there's nothing really new here and that his original handicapping of Bonds' chances in court still stands.

NEW PERSPECTIVE: Last week Pinto, writing for sportingnews.com, examined why the National League is outscoring the American League so far this year and concluded that, with its influx of young talent, the N.L. may soon be the better league once again. William Burke and Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus take their own look at their issue and conclude that A.L. scoring may be down because of A.L. personnel decisions; to wit, choosing defense over offense at some positions.

PETCO SOUNDS: Padres exec Paul DePodesta takes a look at Petco Park in his latest blog entry and says the fact that Petco is an extreme pitchers' park shouldn't obscure the equally true fact the team's greatest run of success in history has occurred since it moved there.

'PEDRITO': The Reds' Edison Volquez idolizes Pedro Martinez. More importantly, says espn.com's Amy K. Nelson, he's pitching like him this year, too.

FACT OR FOLLY? The Seattle Times' Larry Stone, who admits he bought into the "last year's 88-win record plus this year's addition of [Erik] Bedard equaled a championship run" notion, thinks the time of reckoning may soon be here for the stumbling Mariners.

NO QUIT IN HIM: Jay Mariotti's frontal assault on the White Sox continues, as he uses Ozzie Guillen's admission that he was thinking about stepping down as manager as a jumping-off point for an attack on someone he calls "a crazed, bitter man . . . [whose] stupidity . . . has turned the franchise into a national farce."

LOCAL BOYS: Rocco Baldelli, sidelined since spring training after being diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder, took batting practice yesterday and says he still hopes to play this year. (mlb.com)

HERE AND THERE: The Brewers' Chris Capuano will soon have the second Tommy John surgery of his career (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . The Reds' Jeff Koppinger suffered a broken patella when he fouled a ball off his leg (Cincinnati Enquirer) . . . Jacque Jones would like to join the Marlins. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

OLD FRIENDS: Guess he was right about needing a quick mental-health break. Eric Gagne got the save for the Brewers last night (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . Nomar Garciaparra says he's not ready for a rehab assignment just yet. (insidesocal.com)

-- ART MARTONE

Crisp left the game in the bottom of the sixth because of an upset stomach. That necessitated Jacoby Ellsbury, who had replaced Drew in right, moving over to center field in place of Crisp. Kevin Youkilis moved from first base to right field and Sean Casey came off the bench as a replacement for Youkilis at first.

Youkilis had played in 17 games in left field in 2006 because of injuries. Last night was his debut as a right fielder.

-- Steven Krasner

The initial word from the Sox' clubhouse was that Drew suffered a sprained left wrist. X-rays were negative.

Drew's glove appeared to stick in the grass for a split-second as he tried to scoop the ball before it hit the turf. That caused his wrist to bend back.

After being checked out by acting manager Brad Mills and trainer Paul Lessard, Drew came out of the game, replaced by Jacoby Ellsbury, who is nursing a bruise just below his left knee, the result of having been hit by a pitch Sunday night in Minnesota.

-- Steven Krasner

Mills has filled in for Francona in the past, and boasts a 5-3 career record heading into tonight's game at Camden Yards against the Orioles. All of Mills' decisions came during the 2005 season.

He went 2-2 from April 6-10 when Francona missed four games because of a viral infection. He went 2-1 from April 29-May 1 when Francona was serving a three-game suspension. And when Francona's daughter graduated from high school on June 13, Mills won that game.

-- Shortstop Julio Lugo (mild concussion) continues to improve but still isn't ready to play. Alex Cora will make his third straight at short. Lugo has missed the last four games.

-- Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (left knee bruise) also continues to improve, and he could play, but the Sox have decided to keep him out of the starting lineup for at least one more game as a precaution.

-- Steven Krasner

Crisp cf
Pedroia 2b
Ortiz dh
Ramirez lf
Lowell 3b
Youkilis 1b
Drew rf
Varitek c
Cora ss

Beckett p

ORIOLES

Roberts 2b
Mora 3b
Markakis rf
Huff dh
Millar 1b
Scott lf
Jones cf
Quiroz c
Bynum ss

Guthrie p

-- Steven Krasner