Talk about a June swoon. We can't think of two worse back-to-back losses than the ones the Red Sox suffered Tuesday and Wednesday nights, simply dreadful. Terry Francona seems to be making all the wrong decisions and players are fielding like they've got "Chico's Bail Bonds" ironed on the back of their jerseys.

To make matters worse, these losses were to the Yankees, and dropped Boston 7½ games behind New York in the AL East, the largest deficit since Grady Little's crew fell that low last August.

Things don't appear to be getting any better, either. The Sox were 11-14 in the month of June, and may have lost setup man Scott Williamson with an elbow injury Wednesday night.

The doctor isn't in, but feel free to sit on our couch and vent your feelings on the Sox. Can they turn this around? How? What are they doing wrong? Is this Francona's fault, or does the blame lie higher up the chain with Theo and the Trio? Or are the players to blame? Trade Nomar? Acquire a first baseman? Bring back Grady? It's open season ...

Page 28

best two games of the year

Gerard , Palm Bay

It is time that Boston stopped with all of this curse and this is the yeeeaaar crap and started to appreciate the fact that we are home to the team that won the Superbowl 2 out of the past 3 years. You want to make a movie? Make it about a team that won something. Everywhere else in this country, except for here and NY, football dominates, but last year when the Pats were on a historic winning streak all anyone wanted to talk about was the A-Rod rumor. Give it a rest Sox fans, here come the Pats!!

Doogan, Brighton

It's mind blogging that a group of professional ball players could commit that many errors on a consistent basis - It looks like the suffering of Red Sox nation was meant to continue

xhawks97, Westwood

We don't need to get all worked up here, but we do need to be a little worried. Mueller is coming back, but where do we place him in the batting order. The problem is that we say he's a batting champion and should be high up on the list. However, I believe he did so well due to the fact he was down in the 8 spot. He was able to relax, and play his game. You put him in the number 2 spot, and suddenly he is pushing too hard. Perhaps we should ask Nomar to bat 2nd? If you're an all-star caliber player, you are going to play in that spot. Jeter went 0-32, but still stayed near the top of the batting order. I just don't think Nomar is a number 5, and perhaps Ortiz should go back to that spot. It doesn't really seem to matter to Ortiz, he'll get his hits. Classic example of scratching one's head last night. You had Millar in there because he owns Lieber, fine. However, why not pull him in the 7th and go to a defensive lineup once they pulled Lieber? I have no idea why McCarty is not playing. True he doesn't have Manny type numbers, but who does? Should we not be playing Pokey either? If someone is going to save runs due to defense, one should think of that as RBIs. I live in NY, and not pleased to watch these Yanks win over and over. However, Torre asks his lineup to do the little things. When was the last time Nomar bunted, Oakland series I believe (that went well). I know that's not our game, but be realistic. It just sort of seems like Sox players are going through the motions. Perhaps Nomar is sick of us. I don't want to see him go, but it seems that he is trying to make sportscenter web gems every single play. It's obvious that Pokey can play shortstop, so maybe a Nomar for a star first baseman makes sense. I am not really sure.

NYsoxfan, Brooklyn

The players are absolutely to blame. Last year they played as though it was a blessing to have a strong team that was fighting to be successful and make it to the playoffs. This year they are playing like they just deserve to be there because its pretty much the same team, while the teams around them are working hard to prove themselves. Nothing is going to be handed to the Red Sox and they will NOT easily make the playoffs, the sooner they realize that and play like that the sooner they will be able to turn this disastor around and play like the team everyone loved last year

Brad, Boston

The only thing that could've been a more fun situation to watch last night would be something like this: GAME 7 ALCS, Pedro pitching. Yanks go down early 4-1. They get a homer from Giambi to make it 4-2, and actually look in it. Then Pedro gets the next two easily. David Ortiz comes up in the top of the next inning and takes David Wells' first pitch deep out to right. Yanks once again look hopeless, Boston might actually beat em to go to the World Series. Then reality sets in, the Yanks rally, off Pedro no less, to tie the game. Game goes to extra innings. Mo Shuts em down for 3 innings. Then Wakefiled comes in who the Yanks havent hit in about 3 years and as a fan you know he can go 7,8, or 9 innings. Which means this game is going to go till Mo is done, and then Weaver will come in and blow it. Then a player who the Yanks traded for, who has stunk bigtime since he came over here named Aron Boone gets to the plate, and takes the first pitch he sees from Wake and crushes it high and deep to left - and raises his arms in victory, as the Red Sox once again as they always have, look on in disbelief. (Pedro with a towel over his head while Yankee Stadium sings NY, NY) - NOW, WOULDNT THAT BE SOMETHING?!?

Bucky Dent, New York

That was another heart breaking loss as per usual. It feels like Nomar's already on his way out and the way he's been playing that's fine with me - he's too expensive. I like Pokey at SS better. I'm really afraid we might lose Lowe and Pedro and then we'd be completely screwed. We gotta at least keep Varitek. Really though, maybe we should dump everyone and start from scratch with a bunch of younger, hungrier players. I'm trying not to be too bummed about the past two losses but it's hard - I HATE THE FRIGGIN' YANKEES!

Matt, Cambridge

Although Red Sox fans have been for years well known for impatience, and sometimes rightfully so, I certainly feel that there is an urgency to win now that certain players (not to mention management) may not fully realize. We are 7 1/2 games back, and perhaps misguidedly already banking on a wild card birth (which I believe will come out of the American League West). Francona seems mystifyingly upbeat these days, and I believe a change in attitude, if there is to be one, should begin with him. I have my doubts as to his effectiveness in this area. I think it would be wise for the front office to make a move now. If I were them, I would release Kevin Millar. He is vastly overpaid for his vast underproduction. If anything, it would remind his teammates of their responsibilities. I believe baseball should be enjoyable, but not when a ballclub undercuts their valid expectations by such a remarkable degree. The Sox have been predictably flat, lax, and downright boring to this point in 2004 - cutting someone like Millar would send a transparent message that this ship needs to be righted now, and that the attitude(s) surrounding this ballclub needs improving.

todd, rutland

Not that I have to tell any of you guys this, but the Sox are TERRIBLE!! I am physically ill after watching the last two games. I have decide to boycott them until they can win three in a row. Terry needs to stop babying these guys and toughen up on them. They need to know their jobs are in jeopardy. Put McCarty in at first, Youk at third and definitely sit Nomar on the bench. He doesn't even deserve to be at the field.

Jennifer, Lunenburg

It's all about attitude... When new Yankee players get in the "Yankee" environment they develop the 'winning attitude' that they are expected to be and act like Yankees and win and they rise to the occasion and become better. The Sox on the other hand are expected to be the Charlie Browns of baseball and play and act accordingly. Add that to the fact that their manager is simply a players yes man who does nothing but sit and rock on the bench and responds to lacadasical(spellcheck :) ) play with "I love these guy" gives the impression that he simply doesn't care about performance and winning. Bottom line.... dump Francona(get someone who cares)... get Mike Sweeny to play first and the Big Unit and then take care of business... and win the series

Tom , Old Orchard Beach, ME