Old guys come through

With time running out on the season, two old starting pitchers - neither of whom have been to a World Series - came up big for the SoxandPhils. Younger Cole Hamels could learn something about playoff intensity from Paul Byrd and Jamie Moyer.

Red Sox: I guess I owe Theo Epstein an apology for picking up another druggie. The Red Sox beat the Rangers 7-2, and Paul Byrd is now 4-1 since coming to Boston. Byrd pitched well - no runs with just three hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings. He was backed up with a rare homer by David Ortiz and one by Jason Bay. MVP-to-be Dustin Pedroia went a ho-hum (for him) 1-4 with a walk and an RBI.

The Rays lost, so the Red Sox's footsteps must be getting louder - they're 1.5 games out of first, which is the closest they've been since July 28. Oh yeah, if you can strain your eyes that far down the standings, the Yankees are in fourth. The Orioles are 12 games behind them, so the Empire doesn't have to worry about coming in last.

Phillies game 1: Jamie Moyer pitched even better than the Sox cagey veteran, dominating the Mets to a tune of no runs on two hits and three walks. Phillies 6, Mets 2. He was backed by Greg Dobbs who went 2-4 with a double, home run, two runs and three RBI. Pedro who? (That can be for either Feliz or Martinez, who ate the loss today.)

Phillies game 2: J-Moy's win meant the big Cole Hamels-Johan Santana match-up would determine whether the Phils would leave New York trailing by two games or tied for first.

The latter scenario doesn't look likely after young Cole was shelled for five runs in five innings. Christine predicts he will blame his adjusted schedule, even though he pitched on his normal rest. The Phils trail just 5-2 in the 8th, but you have the feeling they were never in it since the first inning, when they had Johan on the ropes but scored only once.

And guess who did most of the damage for the Mets? Another old guy lacking World Series experience. Carlos Delgado had playoff fever tonight, going 3-4 with two runs, four RBI and two homers through seven innings. The ESPN announcers blatantly rooting for him were very pleased.