Fool me once ...

I don't think Theo Epstein read the Mitchell Report, which included this e-mail to Theo from one of his own scouts.

Some digging on Gagne and steroids IS the issue. Has had a checkered medical past throughout career including minor leagues. Lacks the poise and commitment to stay healthy, maintain body and re invent self. What made him a tenacious closer was the max effort plus stuff ... Mentality without the plus weapons and without steroid help probably creates a large risk in bounce back durability and ability to throw average while allowing the change-up to play as it once did ... Personally, durability (or lack of) will follow Gagne

After that e-mail, Theo still gave up three good prospects for a washed-up roider whose appearances down the stretch were downright frightening last year. Today, Epstein traded for another druggie, Paul Byrd. Usually this blog is happy when there's a new induction to the SoxandPhils fraternity, but I remember Paul Byrd standing in Fenway right before Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS answering to a report that he took HGH.

This deal won't blow up like Gagne did, but you'd think Theo would want to avoid players in the Mitchell Report. It sort of took some of the juice (bad pun, I know) from the excitement of 28-year-old knuckleballer Charlie Zink's major league debut.

Tonight's game: I'm sure that Zink won't forget his debut against the Rangers, although he will want to. There have been some who attribute his success this year to the fact that minor leaguers aren't exposed to knuckle balls; they say his stuff won't cut it in the majors. He started off with a perfect 1st, then watched his mates score 10 runs in the bottom of the inning, including two homers by David Ortiz.

The fun stopped there. This in-game musing on the Boston Globe's blog sums it up: "Has a team ever scored 10 runs in the first inning and lost?"

Answer: I don't know, but the Red Sox came too close for my comfort. They actually had to come back to win, 19-17.

Competitors: White Sox won, Rays losing and the Yankees are beating the Twins.

NL: The Phillies lead the Dodgers 3-1 in the 5th. Mets won; Marlins winning.