They're killing me

The first baseball game that I remember going to was against the Cubs. I believe it was a group outing, perhaps through a church; my parents, my brother and I were sitting up high and I remember that it was a hot day. I also remember that game because it featured Greg Maddux vs. Mike Maddux; the elder brother was the victor because the bullpen managed to not blow the game.

There was no sibling rivalry tonight, of course, but there was a decent starting pitching match-up between Cole Hamels and Ryan Dempster. Cole left with a 4-1 lead after seven innings. Unfortunately, his bullpen couldn't handle the three-run lead and lost it in the 8th. Cubs 6, Phillies 4.

This is getting pretty scary. The bullpen has been outstanding all year, and now it keeps blowing leads in the 8th inning. The Phillies won't be going anywhere unless the bullpen straightens itself out.

The Phillies also missed a chance to move into a tie for first with the idle Mets. They are now a full game back.

Singing update: For some reason Jim McMahon sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" tonight instead of Gary Matthews. Sarge will be featured tomorrow afternoon. Yes, after killing me with late games every day this week, the Friday game will be played at 2:20 p.m.

Josh Beckett: The Red Sox starter is going to have his elbow examined tomorrow by Dr. James Andrews in Alabama. Dr. Andrews, I just learned, is a specialist in Tommy John surgery. Uh-oh.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox relief pitchers are experiencing the same bad mojo as the Phils. Boston lost the game in the 9th on a walk-off single by Jason Giambi. Yankees 3, Red Sox 2.

The Rays won, putting the Red Sox at 4.5 games out. Their Wild Card lead is two games.