Extra double disappointment

Both teams had early games; both lost in extra innings.

If I told you the Phillies would play into the 10th inning after being down 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th, you'd be happy. Until, I told you:

• The two runs they scored in the bottom of the 9th wouldn't have been needed if Brad Lidge hadn't given the Dodgers an insurance run in the top of the inning. That's five consecutive appearances without a scoreless inning for the formerly perfect closer.
• Cole Hamels had a dominant outing - giving up two runs (only one earned) over seven with nine strikeouts.
• The offense, although facing a quality starter in Chad Billingsley, could only muster five hits in the 5-3 loss.

Christine was disappointed earlier this week when she saw this was an afternoon game. I'm not too disappointed I didn't have to sit through it with her. She wouldn't have taken it too well.

Red Sox: No going to sleep wondering what will happen tonight. In fact, thanks to MLB Network's constant updates, I got to see most of the game-ending high, err, lowlights.

In the 11th, Jonathan Papelbon put two runners in scoring position with two outs, but pitched out of it. In the top of the 12th, the Red Sox loaded them up with one out for Dustin MVPedroia and the ultra-clutch David Ortiz. This was a surefire lead until Pedroia meekly struck out and Papi looked even meeker checking his swing and hitting a little dribbler to end the inning. The Sox were put out of their misery in the bottom of the inning. Angels 5, Red Sox 4.

It's eerie how our teams' fates sometimes seem intertwined. It's kind of neat when they're winning, not so much on days like this.