When The Man In The Middle Is DFA'ed

Ever want to take a pitcher who has blown a close game in the span of less than an inning and cut him from the roster straight away? Well, we all got our chance today when Kyle Snyder, after promptly coughing up whatever hopes the Sox had of keeping the game against Toronto close, was designated for assignment. Out of minor league options, Snyder will linger in Waiverland until another team (like Detroit, Kansas City, or many others) decide to take a flyer and try and help their miserable bullpens. Either that, or he'll go to Pawtucket in hopes of some sort of midseason callup miracle. Thanks for the dimishing K:BB ratio, Bronson Arroyo Lite.

It's been a damn shame to watch a team that seemed to really warm up in Oakland fizzle north of the Border, but there has been a silver lining. In five innings of work Clay Buchholz managed to strike out 7 Jays and pitch himself out of some serious jams. His line of 6 hits, two walks and 4 runs allowed (3 earned) are not at all indicative of the kind of game he had. It all unraveled with a textbook bunt single and a cringe-worthy error by Sean Casey at first base that chased the young starter from the mound. If it had been Youkilis, there's a chance the Sox would have escaped the inning unscathed.

Still, Buchholz was good. His changeup was disgusting, his fastball was decent, and when his curveball was in the strike zone, it was mind-blowing.