BOSTON - Junichi Tazawa was an all-but-forgotten man on that evening in Manchester, seated between his interpreter and just a single reporter while the rest of the press corps huddled outside the dugout at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, eagerly anticipating the emergence of John Smoltz.

Smoltz, after all, was the hall of famer who was supposed to be the Red Sox's secret weapon for the second half. Officially he was on a rehab assignment, and technically he was something of a reclamation project, but many considered him more of an ace-in-waiting than either of those things. They expected he'd be a big part of Boston's pennant push and playoff run.

Last night, for example, was supposed to be one of those big starts Smoltz was brought here for. It was his turn in the rotation, and the team had lost six of seven. It was facing the Central Division leader. It began

the day up a half game in the wild card race.

But instead it was the afterthought who stood at center stage.

And who seized the spotlight rather nicely.

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