Friday's game

The Sox ran into a hot pitcher in Aaron Small, who improved to 7-0 with the 8-4 win Friday. They made too many errors, and all up the middle -- Varitek, Graffanino, Renteria and Damon. They had plenty of offense, getting 11 hits, but plated only four runs, and the errors -- two on one play, were costly.

You can't play defense like that and win. Not in September.

The Sox still have a 3-game lead over the Stinkins. The top of the Wild Card standings didn't change, as Cleveland and Oakland both won.