Well, the finale of the Diamondbacks series was a bit disappointing, as Randy Johnson outdueled Daisuke Matsuzaka yesterday in the air-conditioned comfort of Chase Field.

As an aside, according to the Diamondback's Web site, Chase Field has enough air-conditioning capacity for 2,500 typical Arizona homes. I'm glad I don't have to pay that electric bill!

Dice-K seems to be suffering from a case of Tim Wakefield Disease, as the Sox have scored only 1 run for him in his last two starts. Matsuzaka, for his part, has given up only 2 runs in each of those outings, one for 7 innings against Oakland and 6 innings yesterday.

At least the Sox were shut down by a future Hall of Famer yesterday, instead of the embarrassing debacle against Lenny DiNardo in Oakland, where they managed to hit into 5 double plays.

The game was still close headed into the last of the 8th, until Mike Timlin, in his first appearance off the DL, threw a bunt into right field for a 2-run error. The Dbacks eventually scored another run for the 5-1 final score.

So, the trip out west was disappointing, as the Sox go 3-4 and the Yankees managed to get the division lead under double-digits. Of course, the Yankees are done playing the reeling White Sox and the AAAA Pirates and have to take on the Dbacks (in a virtual tie with the Padres for first place in the West) and the East leading Mets at the Stadium. The Sox, on the other hand, come home to Fenway to play the Rockies and the Giants, the teams holding down the bottom two spots in the NL West.

I'm calling for 5 out of 6 by Sunday, and the lead back into double digits. Who's with me?