Sick players, sicker bats

Antonio Bastardo, who unexpectedly helped the Phillies weather the loss of injured Brett Myers, has a doctor's appointment Monday to have an MRI on his shoulder. That can't be a good thing. Off the top of my head: Bastardo, Myers, Brad Lidge, Clay Condrey and Scott Eyre have been injured this year. If I were a member of the Phillies pitching staff, I'd be looking into some insurance policies right about now.

***Update*** Chan Ho Park left tonight's game in Toronto, either struck by a ball or a twisted knee trying to avoid said ball. A month ago, I was nearly hoping Park would get injured - now that he has become a solid bullpen performer, it could be the body blow to the Phillies pitching staff. {No, it won't. They'll be fine, eventually.}

Less surprising, but more disturbing, is Mike Lowell's balky hip. He's had a history of hip problems, but the remedy is the disturbing part. I never heard of the injectable man-made lubricant Synvisc. It just sounds like something that would get you a 50-game suspension.

Meanwhile, Bastardo and Lowell aren't the only things in SoxandPhils-ville that were ailing tonight. Both teams' bats could use a shot of Synvisc. The Phillies were held hitless for six innings by Ricky Romero. They finished with three hits in the 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

"I wouldn't want to be around Charlie tonight," Christine said in reference to the media speculation that Charlie Manuel is getting ready to blow his top at his underperforming team.

Other notes ... Cole Hamels got ejected, and Brad Lidge made his first appearance since coming off the DL. He stunk - two runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Ironic that the Mike Lowell link contains a reference to Keith Foulke's balky knees after closing for a World Champion team.

The Red Sox bats were not as bad, but they didn't need much with Josh Beckett pitching. He blanked the Braves for seven innings. David Ortiz hit his 8th home run of the year, and the Red Sox beat the Braves 4-1.