One team is in first

Despite Charlie Manuel and Brad Lidge causing Christine some angst, the Phillies came back and held on to an 8-7 win and are alone in first place. The ghosts of 2007 are alive and well, helping the Nationals beat the Mets 1-0.

Jamie Moyer had an uncharacteristic bad start. He's earned a pass. But Cholly should have recognized that the 45-year-old who has pitched his body and soul out for this team lost it in the 6th and should have pulled him before he gave up six runs.

No matter: Ryan Howard had his back, knocking in a run with a triple in the 7th and then scoring on a Shane Victorino single. The big guy then gave the Phils the lead with a two-run homer in the 8th. She hasn't mentioned it on the blog, but Christine called the other day that Howard will have a big September and win the MVP again.

It wasn't all smooth sailing. Lidge walked the bases loaded and needed 33 pitches to close out the 9th. We're afraid that this Associated Press story might jinx him soon. Hopefully this is as close as he comes to blowing a save.

Red Sox: After Monday's game, Rays manager Joe Maddon said it's easier to get over a blowout than a 2-1 loss. His Rays proved him right tonight, beating the Sox 2-1, making tomorrow's game a must win if the Sox want to win the division.

Maybe Maddon was right just about the blowout part, not getting past the 2-1 game. I've said it many times, but the ALCS is going to be great - it just seems that the Rays and Sox match up well against each other. If they meet next month, expect a seven-game classic.

Ace Josh Beckett pitched like it's already the postseason - one earned on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over eight innings. But when the Red Sox score just one run on five hits, even postseason Josh can't pull it out.

We'll get 'em tomorrow: Tim Wakefield vs. Matt Garza. A win and we're back to within percentage points and a tied head-to-head record; a loss and we're two games out and pretty much settling for the Wild Card.

Four more years: OK, they haven't announced terms of Theo Epstein's soon-to-be-new contract, but it looks like we won't be seeing the ape costume this off-season.