One Step Forward ... This rudderless team seems incapable of mounting even a modest winning streak. For more than two months, the Red Sox have not won more than three consecutive games. Here are their longest streaks of this season:

6 - April 23-29
5 - May 21-26
4 - May 5-8
3 - April 19-21
3 - June 5-8
3 - July 24-26

Since the All-Star break:

L
W
L
W
L
W
L L
W
L
W W W
L
W
L L
W W
L L
W W
L

Doesn't that make you want to tear your hair out? That's why it's impossible to *really* like this team. Just when you think they might be getting it together, they fall on their face again. ... Bronson Arroyo will try to get the club -- now tied with Texas one game behind Anaheim for the wild card -- back on its feet at 7:05 pm tonight.