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 ...

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Coaches fault ..? nope..not this time..you think its bad now..wait until we're 12 games back..at the end of July...Pitching and defense wins ballgames..you can talk about how great our starting rotation is.. but in reality we have 2 good starters...its truly a shame we didn't go out and find and sign another top quality picture..they were there..and as we all know they certainly don't grow on trees..I cringe every time i pick up the paper and see that Lowe or Arroyo are going to pitch.. In summation, i do blame management..they have NOT done what we have needed to acquire free agents and available pitching. Spend the damm money...as much as I hate the Yankees..they still do a much better job at acquiring talent. than we do..All that Alex Rodriguez crap left me bitter..we don't need him..but we DO need pitching.. Oh well..I vented.. P.S. It will be nice after we loose Varitek, Normar, and Pedro too don't you think? John, Santa Fe, N.M.

John , Santa Fe, New Mexico

This is sad to watch. The so-called experts who picked the beloved Sox to win the East and ALCS are not diehard Sox fans. Diehard Sox fans have a "sense" of things to come and it started with Nomar's snub while on his honeymoon and trying to trade Manny. This "germ" has caused havoc and has affected the spirit and comraderie that the Sox had last year. Not to mention, a manager who in my opinion, has no blanking clue on how to manufacture runs. When is the last time you saw a sacrifice bunt? Francona keeps Millar at first base, even though he's got stone hands and his offensive production is poor. Why? Francona says basically, "I have confidence in him". Confidence my butt. Sit his ass down and let him think about why he's sitting! That's what we learned in little league. As a coach, you play the best players in order to win---not to be a pansy. As far as Nomar, trade him NOW!! He's gone anyway next year. His offense and defense are not the real Nomar because he's so pissed inside all he see's is yellow and not the white ball. The entire team is in disarray from the coaching to the players. This is sad to watch but I watch anyway because I'm a true diehard Red Sox fan.

Dave , O'Fallon, Illinois

130 million to field a team that cant play .500 ball. Embarrassing. Tito & Nomar need to go. Damon seems like the only one who is trying...

Drew, Yorktown, VA

Even before the season started, I thought that hiring Terry Francona was a bad idea. The man has either too much heart, as in, they'll be ok and they know how to play this game, or no heart at all. There might also be another part of the male anatomy that he lacks but we won't go there. I would like to see the return of Kevin Kennedy who was very successful in his short tenure here. Being the manager of the Red Sox is a thankless job but they played their hearts out for him and came away winners. We need to set a fire under some of these people, get their heads on straight and start playing like they might have major league skills.

JoAnn , Randolph

now, just now, youre going to get mad about leaving men on base. isnt that what this team is all about. how many times have we had bases loaded, no outs, and not scored. i know we lead the majors in men left in scoring position. i thought everyone hated grady gump cause he was too passive, so why then did we get terry francona. could we pleas put nixon in center, reese at short and bellhorn at second, kapler in right. we we're winning back then.

darin, valley center, ks

It's time for this ownership and management to accept their responsibility. They are the one's who endorse this MoneyBall philosphy and it is not working. The Sox are not producing runs and are absolutely horrible defensively which is an area that this new regime thinks is overrated. Really ? Overrated ?

KC, New Jersey

What better way to enjoy my 7 1/2 game lead but to read about the Red Sox Nation wallowing in their pit of despair and uncertainty.

Big Country, W.H., NY

There are two possibilities for next year: A. Nomar will sign a contract with the Yankees, and as a stipulation of that contract will be required to continue playing for the Red Sox, thus providing the Yankees and the rest of the division with an advantage over the Red Sox for years to come. Option B. The Red Sox will be sold to Steinbrenner, who will then use them as a Yankees farm team; I am sure Boston fans would not entirely mind driving to Columbus to watch their team, once it was part of a winning organization. Haha, seriously Boston get a grip; this like every other year is not your year.

Mookie Wilson, Queens New York

Watching the Sox recently has been like watching my softball team. The pitching that was supposed to carry the Sox had been nothing short of horrible. Derek Lowe should never start again. Trade him somewhere for someone. He is such a headcase I have a feeling his past outing against the Yanks is going to have a major effect on his psyche. Arroyo is in over his head and I feel bad for him. Whatever is wrong with Trot that prevents him from playing right field and enables Ortiz to wear a glove must be figured out and solved. The Sox need either another arm or another stick. Either one will do.

Wood, Schenectady

$130 million buys you the worst defensive team in baseball? The most expensive tickets in all of baseball buy you a team that can't drive in a run against Felix Heredia? Last night's effort was embarrasing.

chris, santa monica, ca