Problem solved

The Red Sox have been looking for a way to steady their pitching staff, which was supposed to be a strength but has become an albatross. Little did we know that the solution was on the roster this whole time. And I'm not talking about Tim Wakefield ,who spent a month on the disabled list.

It's SS Nick Green, who pitched two innings last night, mopping up what turned out to be a 9-5 loss to the White Sox. We couldn't figure out why Terry Francona would bring him in. Yes, fans can give up hope trailing by seven runs with just two innings to go, but not the guy who managed the greatest postseason comeback ever.

So what happened?

Takashi Saito? Unavailable because he slept on his neck wrong Wednesday night. Billy Wagner? Unable to pitch because he threw a bullpen session yesterday afternoon.

Daniel Bard? Possible, but that would have made him unavailable for tonight against Toronto given his previous workload in the Chicago series. Hideki Okajima? Same story.

So when Junichi Tazawa faltered with every pitch but his fastball in the second and third - the White Sox banged out eight runs over the two innings - Red Sox manager Terry Francona turned to Nick Green in the third and informed the infielder he'd most likely be taking the mound for the first time as a major leaguer.

"I had to go out there and try to pitch because our pitchers couldn't go," said Green. "That's the only reason I went out there."

Two innings, no hits, no runs - but three walks - later, and I think the Red Sox have a new pitcher. But his good work might have earned him a shot at a less glamorous position:

With last night's outing on the mound, Green has now played all but one position: catcher. And it's not like that thought hasn't crossed his mind.

"I would like to, but that's a tough situation," he said. "I catch guys between innings. I feel like I could do it if I had to."

And apparently, Francona has at least considered the idea as well.

"Tito asked me if I could do it if somebody broke their leg or something," Green said. "So I know I could get back there. I don't know how good I'd be but I'd try."

Today's games: Josh Beckett's struggles continue. He gave up five runs in five innings. He's given up 13 home runs in his last three starts compared with seven in all of May, June and July. He did strike out nine tonight, so maybe the MLB Network guys are on to something about him possibly tipping pitches. He better figure it out soon because never mind Nick Green, without a strong Josh Beckett, our World Championship hopes are toast.

In the 8th - Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 5.

Phillies: Just call Pedro Martinez the Rain Man. For the second time in four Phillies starts, he had an early exit because of the weather. There were two rain delays tonight before the 3rd inning. Hopefully this one gets completed so that Cliff Lee (sorry Pedro, he's more important) has an uninterrupted start tomorrow.

Jamie Moyer, who seemingly hasn't pitched since the 1970s, is in, trying to repeat the Pedro Moyer show we saw 10 days ago. So far, so good. The Phillies are up 3-1 against the Braves in the 5th on a pair of home runs by the Big Piece Ryan Howard, who on this special night at the park - '70s night - is donning his pimp garb on the scoreboard.