"With a grade that had him on academic probation coming in, John Smoltz faced the stiffest test of his 2009 season last night against the New York Yankees.

Smoltz failed in a 13-6 Red Sox loss, calling into serious question just how much longer the club can endure his sustained string of ineffectiveness.

The right-hander allowed eight runs on nine hits (two home runs) and four walks (one intentional) in just 3 1/3 innings, blowing two leads along the way.

The Yankees hit four home runs in all and increased their AL East lead to 3 ½ games over the visitors. With the loss, the Sox' 8-0 start to the season series came to a crashing, bone-jarring, glass-shattering halt.

A new and concerning injury to the area near shortstop Jed Lowrie's surgically repaired left wrist was one more casualty of the night.

The Red Sox were not about to declare that Smoltz' next start was in jeopardy before the pain from the drubbing had subsided. However, there was more than a whiff of finality hovering in the clubhouse."