Monkey business hurts Sox

In this case, it was the plate umpire, James Hoye, who decided that Manny's rare exercise of his freedom of speech transgressed the bounds of good taste after Hoye ruled that Manny had not held up his swing on a high third strike from Angels pitcher Jered Weaver leading off the fourth inning.

"I guess he said the magic word," said manager Terry Francona. "In what language, I don't know."

When someone wondered why Hoye reacted to something that Ramírez said as he was walking away from the umpire, Francona said that was his first thought, too, when he emerged from the dugout to discuss the matter with the rookie umpire.

"Manny doesn't argue many balls and strikes," Francona said. "He knows the strike zone pretty good."

But Francona's exchange with the umpire was over quickly.

"He said Manny said it once, and that he wanted to make sure he said it," Francona said. "The second time, it was pretty clear."

How much the Sox missed their hottest hitter became painfully apparent when Moss, not Manny, came to the plate to face Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez with two on and two out in the ninth. Moss went down on strikes, the Angels had their first win in four tries against the Sox this season, and Boston's lead over the Yankees was just six games, the closest the teams have been since May 11.

Tough way to start your big-league career?

"I don't know if there is a way you can make your debut with the Boston Red Sox behind the scenes," said Curt Schilling. "Unfortunately he had to face one on the toughest guys in baseball, but I bet if you asked him, he wouldn't want it any other way. I was hoping he would come through."

That's what the Sox had hoped for Schilling, too, pitching seven weeks after he came out of the rotation with a shoulder that required a whole lot of strengthening.

Schilling passed inspection last night, which is more than you can say for some of the concession stands in Angel Stadium, the subject of some health violations involving creatures a lot less cuddly than the Rally Monkey.