The Second Cup: Botch job

Gordon Edes’ morning headline is probably the best, and sits on the easy line between panic and more minor distress. At five games, I’d say that line is getting an awful lot closer to general panic, wouldn’t you? Regardless, here’s the best of this morning’s headlines:

The Sox will need a good outing from Jon Lester if Eric Gagne’s going to get any work in Anaheim.

BOSTON GLOBE

Red Sox botch it, lead is cut to five - Edes nails it on the head, and his recounting of the night’s general sloppiness only makes the haphazard loss hurt that much more.

Way is cleared for Pena trade - An insightful notebook by Edes and Dan Shaughnessy, leading with the odds that Wily Coyote will still be wearing a Sox uni come October, and also touching on … wait for it … the Mariners’ mascot.

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

Rookie Moss is put to the test - Sean McAdam looks back on the intriguing first day of outfielder Brandon Moss’ brief Red Sox tenure.

Angels cut Sox lead further - McAdam’s gamer reads even more like the intro to a story of a cancer sufferer than Edes’ game story. Both, of course, are suitably depressing.

BOSTON HERALD

According to Tony Massaroti, the Sox weren’t really paying any attention to this guy.

Historic moment is lost on Sox - Another terrific piece by Tony Massaroti, writing on the lack of Barry Bonds attention among the Sox, who - of course - were playing as the San Fran slugger connected on No. 756.

Gagne brings ‘A’ game to free agency - Rob Bradford writes about how compensatory draft picks played a big role in sealing the Eric Gagne deal.

– Cameron Smith