Alone again at the top

A 4-2 win over the Marlins put a game between the Phillies and the Mets, who lost against the Reds tonight. It was a crisp win: six innings from Jamie Moyer and another shut-down performance from the bullpen. It was a good way to resume play after the All-Star break.

Besides hitting his 29th home run, Ryan Howard drew an intentional walk. He's been torrid for the last three weeks, but before tonight, teams have opted to walk him only once in that stretch. He has only 10 for the season, but I bet that pace will soon pick up.

But I'm burying the big news: The Phillies have made the most significant mid-season bullpen acquisition since ... Eric Gagne last year. Adam Eaton is now a reliever. Too bad that Billy Wagner had to whine about the bullpen set-up, putting the Phillies pitchers farther away from the taunting fans in Ashburn Alley. I bet Eaton would love to chat with the fans during the next homestand.

Red Sox: Clay Buchholz didn't start off too well. They're down 4-3 against the Angels in the 4th on the West Coast. We'll pick up the pieces tomorrow.