Hit, check. Throw, check. Catch...uh...

I'm not going to blame tonight's 9-8 loss strictly on Javier Lopez, though when you botch a play that an 8-year-old could make, you're somewhat to blame. But Boston had several chances to win tonight and failed, snapping their 11-game winning streak.

Brad Penny, who I dropped from my fantasy team during tonight's game, allowed the Cleveland Indians to score in the first, second and third innings immediately after the Sox scored in the first, second and third innings, before Terry Francona mercifully yanked him after giving up seven runs and getting just eight outs.

Mike Lowell threw a ball away, allowing a run to score and another runner to get to third, which led to a sacrifice fly and another run.

Julio Lugo screwed up a double play by attempting to transfer the throw from Dustin Pedroia too quickly, leaving Penny out longer than he should have been. The next batter, Ben Francisco bombed a 3-run shot to left to tie the game.

Takashi Saito, staked to a one-run lead in the seventh, took eight pitches to give that lead back up.

Nick Green, who should have been saved as a defensive replacement for Lopez instead of Lugo, struck out on three pitches with one out and runners on the corners in the ninth inning before Jacoby Ellsbury lined out to leave both runners stranded.

That led to Lopez, who PITCHED well, allowing a bloop single before getting an out via sacrifice bunt and strikeout. But with two outs, Asdrubal Cabrera bounced a ball to Kevin Youkilis' right. Youk did his job, fielding the ball. Lopez, however, dropped the simple flip from his first baseman and instead of going to extra innings, Cleveland prevailed.

Now, I'm not getting paid $1,350,000 and can't pitch as well as Lopez (even though I can probably throw as hard), but if the Sox need someone to teach the guys how to watch the ball into their glove, I think I'm qualified to give lessons.

I mean, I did play tee ball...