Uninspired

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw a clunker, and despite several rallies late in the game, the best the Red Sox could do was make it close enough for Francisco Rodriguez to notch another save in his quest to make Bobby Thigpen's career irrelevant.

After coming in from a walk, I thought the game was in hand as Dice had a 2-1 lead in the 6th. But of course he couldn't get another out and gave up five more runs before yielding to Justin Masterson, who allowed one in two innings.

The hitters kept trying to climb back into it but couldn't get over the hump against Angels relievers Jose Arredondo, Scott Shields and K-Rod. The AL-leading Angels 7, the Wild Card-leading Red Sox 5. At least the Rays and Yankees also lost, keeping our division deficit at one and Wild Card lead at two.

Manny Ramirez kept up his contract drive, going 2-3 with a run and three RBIs. He hit a meaningless homer off Rodriguez in the 9th. Oh, and Pat Gillick said no way to a Manny for Pat Burrell swap. Wonder if Charlie Manuel nixed that idea because Jimmy Rollins has been enough distraction for the Phillies.

Best news of the day: Now pitching for your hometown IronPigs, Adam Eaton. OK, they haven't announced for sure that he's worthy of pitching in AAA, but fans in Philly won't be chanting "You suck Eaton" for a while.

The Marlins beat the Mets, so with an off-day, the Phils are a half game behind the Mets and a half game ahead of the Fish.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]