Six runs scored, three losses, millions of groans … the Red Sox have frittered away the three-game lead they held at the All-Star break and now share first place in the American League East with The Empire. Is there anyone left arguing against the fact that this club is offensively challenged, regardless of any statistics that can be molded into a prettier picture? Being shut down by Roy Halladay is one thing; being shut down by Blue Jays lefty Marc Rzepczynski (dropping their record against starting southpaws to 11-21) and Kevin Millwood is another.

The headlines this morning focused more on John Smoltz’s struggles, just as Sunday’s focused on Brad Penny’s. But a clubs No. 4 and No. 5 starters, regardless of their pedigree, are going to get slapped around from time to time. Teams in the American League must be capable of winning games 7-6.

Terry Francona lifted Jacoby Ellsbury back into the leadoff spot, which has been particularly unproductive. But if J.D. Drew (now hitting .239) and Jason Bay (now at .255) don’t resume hitting, it may not matter regardless of what Ellsbury does.

Maybe Theo Epstein will be more aggressive than we previously presumed as the trade deadline approaches.

Tags: Brad Penny, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, John Smoltz, Red Sox, Terry Francona