Clinched

A day after Dustin Pedroia tucked his baby into bed and then celebrated a loss by dumping beer on his teammates, the Phillies played like it were 2008 and then celebrated their third straight NL East championship.

Congrats to the Phils. And thank you for ending Christine's constant whining that you were going to blow this. Now I get a few days reprieve before she starts worrying about how the playoffs will be lost. {No way. The Phillies are going all the way.}

Even though this is the first time in recent memory that they've clinched on a weeknight, the vibe was reminiscent of the last two clinchers. Heck, they even had solid pitching (once Kyle Kendrick relieved Pedro Martinez), and the vaunted bats lived up to their hype in the 10-3 win over Ed Wade's lowly Astros.

The Phillies join the 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 Red Sox as the only reigning World Champions this decade to return to the playoffs the following year.

So for the third consecutive season, the SoxandPhils are both in the playoffs. We came damn close to the epic showdown last year - is this the year? We're just 14 wins away.

The Phillies will proceed to the playoffs without grizzled veteran Jamie Moyer, who needs surgery but should be ready in the spring for his 24th season.

Red Sox: Not much to say. Fielding the B-squad, they lost to Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays 12-0. Minor league catcher Dusty Brown pitched the 9th inning. He has thrown a strikeout in the major leagues before he attained his first hit as a batter. He gave up a run, but he wasn't among the worst three pitchers on the night for the Sox. And he was the third position player to pitch for the Red Sox this year. Remember the heralded pitching depth we had?

I guess they were still hung over.

Exciting endings

After a complicated night in our real lives and a general blah-ish feeling about our teams, I'm keeping it short tonight.

We woke up and learned that no matter how awful our teams play this week, there will be at least one extra SoxandPhils game this year because the Angels beat the Rangers last night, guaranteeing the Red Sox at least a tie for the Wild Card - and what would be a one-game sudden-death play-in game on Monday, if necessary.

If the Phillies survive this week, we won't be seeing them in the playoffs. We got our notification that we didn't win the lottery for the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets for the NLDS. After years of getting suckered into buying tickets during the near-misses of the early 2000s, we finally got to see playoff baseball in 2007. We saw three games last year - thankfully, Christine didn't listen to me when I said not to buy tickets because the Phillies were four games out in September and looked like they weren't going to make it. We'll be watching from home this year.

Tonight's games: The Phillies woke up and Ryan Madson looked like Brad Lidge ... Brad Lidge circa 2008 but with the ability to go two innings. The Phillies beat the Astros 7-4 and are also assured of at least a tie for a playoff slot because the Marlins just beat the Braves. Magic number, 1. Christine should be less cranky tomorrow.

The Red Sox came close with their own exciting ending, but couldn't close the deal. Clay Buchholz didn't have it tonight, but the Red Sox scored five in the 8th to pull within a run. They had the potential tying run on second base (speedster Jacoby Ellsbury), but Kevin Youkilis struck out looking to end it. Blue Jays 8, Red Sox 7. Maybe the Angels will finish what they started last night and eliminate the Rangers for us (Halos up 1-0 in the 2nd).

Lord knows our teams can't take care of their own business right now.

Talking points from the weekend

As we try to clear our heads from the lost weekend, some of our SoxandPhils gave us some talking points today.

1) We do not shoot our friends. (Even a chum with 11 blown saves.)

Last week, I wanted to compare Brad Lidge with a champion race horse that could no longer run. Christine outvoted me 1-1, and the insensitive metaphor wasn't published. Since then, she has said I should say the same thing about Jason Varitek. I don't disagree, except for the fact that we have a longer relationship with the Captain, and he has been supplanted as starting catcher by Victor Martinez.

I say all this as background because Charlie Manuel doesn't think Brad Lidge should be shot:

"I don't want to shoot Lidge. I think he'll get back to where he's at," Manuel said yesterday when asked about the status of the closer's job. "He needs a little break."

Maybe Cholly is just a better person than me.

2) The Phillies aren't playing as poorly as you'd think from Christine's reaction. Yesterday I heard they played .500 on their last road trip. Watching Christine mope all weekend, I thought they were 2-12 or something. Cholly says we're both right:

The 5-5 trip was not easy for manager Charlie Manuel. "As bad as we played, we played .500, didn't we?" he said. "Bad as we played, is that accepted? It will have to be, I guess."

3) It's OK to celebrate the Wild Card. It still feels wrong, but several Red Sox said some things to convince me. Here's a SoxandPhil quoted in coverage of his former team:

"You don't want to take [getting to the playoffs] for granted," said the Red Sox' Terry Francona, the only manager since 2000 to take a defending world champion to the postseason the following year. "Because it's tough. You want to get excited, but you also don't want to lose sight of your goal.

"We always like to say that every year is different. So why shouldn't you celebrate?"

Here's the players' take:

"As of right now, obviously (the Yankees are) the better team," left fielder Jason Bay said. "Once the postseason starts, everything else is kind of thrown out the window."

Didn't it sting just a little watching the Yankees celebrate?

"I don’t care," Kevin Youkilis said. "I want to get into the playoffs. Once we get there, it's a whole other game."
[...]
"I was a wild card once and got a World Series," (David) Ortiz said. "That means I don’t care."

4) It still would have been nice to clinch in New York.

"Damn, man," David Ortiz sad. "It gives the carpet a smell a few days later. It kills me. That's why I want to do it here. But it's not going to happen."

Patience, big man. You can stink up their new jaunt once you beat them 4-2 in the ALCS.

Tonight's games: Days after Jon Lester took a ball off his knee, Josh Beckett was scratched from tonight's start with a bad back. Perhaps the baseball gods aren't happy with a team that was setting up its playoff pitching rotation at least a week before it clinched.

In game action, it's like the SoxandPhils are playing chicken with each other to see who can clinch last.

Emergency starter Michael Bowden gave up seven runs in three innings. The Red Sox trailed the Blue Jays 11-5 in the 7th inning when downpours delayed the game. In case they don't resume this one, it will be up to the Angels to beat the Rangers if the magic number is to be reduced from two.

Cole Hamels gave up six runs in 6 2/3, increasing Christine's concerns that the baseball gods are putting the Phillies on the opposite end of the historic collapses they've dealt the Mets in recent years. In the 9th, Astros 8, Phillies 2. Magic number expected to remain stuck at three.

State of the SoxandPhils

Each of our teams reduced their magic numbers by one today - two left for the Red Sox, three for the Phillies. The Phils held on to beat the Brewers, but Christine remains cranky. The Red Sox inched closer to the playoffs - not by winning and delaying the Yankees' division clincher, but by the Rays stealing a win from the Rangers in the 9th inning.

I was, and probably still am, more mellow than Christine about the fact the our teams' killer instinct has gone from Rambo to Gandhi, but I think we're both getting a little antsy.

Saturday night, when I was getting exasperated with Christine's reaction to the Phillies walk-off loss to the Brewers (amazingly, Brad Lidge had nothing to do with it), she turned the tables and pointed out that I'm not too happy with the Red Sox right now.

Sure, they've been embarrassed by the Yankees. But I truly believe that the Red Sox have had their fair share of success in recent history, and I don't mind sharing the wealth as long as they play hard, are competitive and are better than the Empire.

Two stories this morning illustrate the state of our teams. The Inquirer game-day story starts off with Charlie Manuel addressing a handful of players after the loss. Although he struck a comforting tone, he's a little more of Christine's mindset than mine:

"I know some say it's in the bag," the manager told them. "We ain't got a thing yet."
[...]
Asked whether he was worried about complacency, given that the Phillies have seemed inevitable division champions all summer, Manuel said: "I'm not [complacent]. You'll have to go ask them. I talk to them every day, and I hadn't seen nobody tell me that. I'm not taking it for granted that we've got the division won. No. Not at all."

The story also mentioned something Christine has been concerned about for quite a while:

"When we were in Atlanta [last weekend]," said Werth, "I just happened to look at their schedule and notice that, like, seven of their last 10 games were against the Nationals. Ever since I saw that, I realized that, potentially, they could still make a run at us. As far as I'm concerned, it's over when we've got it."

I'm still not worried.

This Dan Shaughnessey column, however, pointing out how the Yankees have been the better, hungrier and more focused team all season, did make me pause for concern, especially because it reinforces my point yesterday that the Red Sox seem content with second best.

One team is going all out to win every day.

The other team is the Red Sox - asking you to stand back and look at the big picture.

That got me riled until the following line reminded me of the success of the Red Sox over the past few years is because of strong management and solid planning. There may be mistakes along the way, but the big picture will usually be pretty good.

Two managers. Two theories. Sox fans might not agree with Francona, but he knows his team and has a pretty good track record in this area.

So I took the following advice from the column, closed my eyes, held my nose (and switched the channel before the final out).

Today might be a good day to employ the half-full theory. Cover your eyes, let the Yankees celebrate, and think about October.

I'm not sure if our teams are aware, but October begins this week. The playoffs start next week. We're just two clinchers and two rounds away from the SoxandPhils Series.

Weather watch: On my last training day before the bike ride, I stayed in due to rain. I figure I'll have plenty of time to get wet on my bike next Saturday. Weather.com still calls for rain on both days; AccuWeather still disagrees. Christine, usually the more pessimistic about such things, is more optimistic than me.

Lost weekend

The SoxandPhils headed into their current series looking ready to lock up the postseason. The Red Sox magic number was three, the Phillies five. Heck, Milwaukee had the plastic ready to protect the Phillies personal effects from the champagne celebration. And, in a rare example of a manger losing focus of the job at hand, Terry Francona said the Red Sox would celebrate being second best.

There was even, if my logic is correct (might not be), a chance that if the Red Sox and Rangers had been swept this weekend, the Red Sox would clinch the playoffs while being beat by the Yankees in their division clincher. But a win by Texas last night made that moot.

Sorry for that meandering. Bottom line, neither of our teams will celebrate this weekend. Well, there is still a chance the Red Sox could clinch, but it would sicken me to watch them party tomorrow after dropping the first two this weekend in the Bronx.

Two positives today: Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched well in his loss: one run on six hits and five walks over seven innings with three strikeouts. He threw only 115 pitches. Who is this Dice-K?

Even better, reports on Jon Lester the day after a ball smashed off his leg are encouraging.

Phillies: After last night's ugly loss, they're tied with the Brewers at five in the 8th inning. Jamie Moyer, relieving Kyle Kendrick who was replacing Pedro Martinez, should have been out of the 6th inning if Jimmy Rollins hadn't muffed a fly ball. Christine is getting very cranky with her team right now.

We watched that play on different levels of the house. I thought J-Roll might have some trouble with it, but knew for sure when I heard "Noooooooooooooo!" from upstairs. (Our downstairs TV is on a little bit of a delay with HD.)

Weather watch: This morning was a little chilly, but not as bad as last Sunday. But it stayed dry, allowing me to get in a nice bike ride. I hit 60 miles for the first time. I'm not big on milestones, but that round number makes me proud.

Next weekend is what we're worried about. Saturday is the big ride. Sunday is our friends' charity walk and the Phillies last game. Weather.com predicts rain on both days; AccuWeather says sun. I think we're going to be wet.

Game one starter

When Jon Lester gave up a run and struggled through the first inning, I blamed the Boston Herald's Sean McAdam who broke the story that the Red Sox had decided that our young ace would pitch the first game of the playoffs instead of Josh Beckett.

There had been speculation of this because of the way the Red Sox were shuffling the rotation, but it seemed odd for sources to confirm the decision had been made - even off the record - days before the Red Sox can even clinch.

Of course, things got worse.

I ran upstairs to take care of something. When I came down, Christine had the Phillies game on. I heard a ball ricochet off the pitcher's knee. I thought the Phillies could survive the playoffs without Cliff Lee. But I hadn't noticed she had switched back to the Red Sox game.

That was Jon Lester lying on the ground. There goes the season. Stupid Sean McAdam.

Initial diagnosis, however, is good: X-rays negative. Bruised quad. Day-to-day. {Greg: You should know by now. Day-to-day is what they say when they don't want you to panic.}

The rest of the game isn't so good - the Red Sox trail the Yankees 9-3 in the 7th.

The Phillies aren't doing so hot either. Prince Fielder is dominating. He's 2-4 with two runs, four RBIs and a home run. Lee gave up seven runs in six innings. Christine banished him from the playoff starting rotation. I'm not sure she's kidding. Maybe she'll put him in the running with J.A. Happ, Tyler Walker or anyone but Brad Lidge to be closer.

The Phillies trail the Brewers 8-3 in the 8th.

Closing time

When we left last night, Christine was upset that she was probably going to have to turn in without knowing how, or whether, the Phillies game ended.

Well, we went to bed a little later than I would prefer, but we saw the ending.

Christine brushed her teeth very grumpily.

Brad Lidge still has a chance (if Charlie Manuel keeps going to him in the 9th) to sneak into the top 10 for most blown saves in a season. He's two away from being tied for second with five pitchers who have 13, including a couple with SoxandPhils connections - Jeff Reardon (1986) and Dan Pleasac (1987).

Mike and Mike this morning reprieved their "Brad Lidge Over Troubled Waters" parody from the 2004 NLCS. I had it in my head today. Christine reminded me they played it, well, the unparody version, to close Harry Kalas' funeral.

We've been missing Harry this week. Tom McCarthy and Chris Wheeler are driving me nuts. My new irritation is how they get overly excited. Chase Utley can score a run in a 7-0 game, and they will make it sound like the Phillies won the World Series in the 13th inning of Game 7.

Christine noted that I've taken to calling out "Saaarrge" when Gary Matthews enters the booth in the 4th inning, as if he were Norm from Cheers.

Tonight's games: Both teams are playing in the central time zone. The Phillies lead the Brewers 8-1 in the 6th - after a three-run homer by Jimmy Rollins, which according to T-Mack was the second time in the same inning the Phillies broke the game open.

Sarge called the home run "a little guy driving a Cadillac." We've been speculating that Sarge has a deal with Cadillac in which he's going to get a free one if he says the company's name a certain number of times a season. If so, good thing he announces for the home-run-happy Phillies.

J.A. Happ, who hasn't yet been reinjured, is pitching well - one run on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts after five innings.

The Red Sox lead the Royals 3-0 in the 5th. David Ortiz homered (11 more RBI to 100), and Clay Buchholz is also pitching well: three hits and seven strikeouts through five shutout innings.

Heralding the unheralded SoxandPhils

Some SoxandPhils who don't quite get the attention they deserve got some pub today - some even nationally.

The leader of the ink popularity contest is Jayson Werth, who, according to a FanGraphs blogger, is not just underrated but has been the second most valuable outfielder in all of baseball for the past two seasons.

(Christine, still bitter about the 2007 playoffs, doesn't like that No. 1 has been Matt Holliday.)

Werth is not only productive, but a goodwill ambassador for a city and fan base that has taken more than their fair share of knocks over the years. Consider this ESPN feature in which he turns the tables and says the Philly fans are an asset, not a detriment. He recalled an encounter with a Ray during the World Series that convinced him that the fans helped the Phillies win last year:

One of their infielders came up to me and said, "'Do you like it here?" He was so distraught in the middle of the game about the people in this town, and I knew then that we had them.

They were so rattled, because they didn't feel like they could even walk down the street. They were uncomfortable just being in Philadelphia. Look at Evan Longoria -- he didn't get a hit the whole World Series. [Longoria actually went 1-for-20.] I'm not saying it's because of what the fans did. But I'm not saying it wasn't, either.

So remember that the next time you hear about Santa Claus, batteries or dog fighting. Actually, that last part is fair game.

Another Phil touted today is sturdy Joe Blanton by Paul Hagen, who argues he's been the Phillies most valuable pitcher this year.

For the Red Sox, because they're in Kansas City, it is time to look back at the Ramon Ramirez trade and how the Red Sox got the better of that one. Yeah, the Royals are bettering the Red Sox this week, but Ramon doesn't want to go back. He's excited about the chance of pitching in the postseason:

I've never been, but I want to be there. I want to pitch, and I want to do the best I can. I know a lot of people say there's more pressure. It's good, because I want to do the best I can for my team. I don't feel nervous or nothing like that.

I hope I didn't just jinx a playoff implosion on him.

Tonight's games: The other beneficiary of the Ramirez-Coco Crisp trade, Jacoby Ellsbury, just doubled in two runs to tie the game in the 5th inning. Dustin Pedroia followed that with an RBI single to give the Red Sox the lead. They now lead the Royals 6-2 in the 6th. Josh Beckett isn't in playoff form tonight: two runs on 10 hits and a walk in four innings.

The Phillies playoff MVP pitcher, Cole Hamels, also wasn't in postseason form - four runs in seven innings. That should be good enough to win behind homers by Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard, but we won't know for awhile because they're in a rain delay with the Phillies leading the Marlins 6-4 in the 8th inning. Christine is upset because they waited until Ryan Madson took his warmups before they stopped action. Hopefully, they just send everyone home and give the Phillies an abbreviated win.

Sox suffer Royal disappointment; Phils prep for coronation

Last night, when the Red Sox were up 6-0 and showing no signs of mercy to Kansas City, I said out loud that they should save some runs for tonight and take it easy against the Royals. But I had a nagging feeling that the Royals were going to come back. But I didn't think they would come all the way back and win 12-9.

The Yankees also lost again last night, so if the Sox had held on, they'd be four games out. Despite my recent bombast, I never expected the Red Sox to oust the Empire, but I thought they'd get close enough to put a scare into them this weekend. Oh well, everybody is 0-0 after Oct. 4.

Tonight, the ruffian Royals are pounding the underdog Red Sox. Stupid Paul Byrd gave up five runs in the first inning, and Zack Greinke is pitching like a guy who deserves to win the Cy Young, not the guy who was yanked from his last start because of injury. In the 6th, the Royals lead 5-0.

The Phillies, meanwhile, woke up to headlines such as Phillies making their pitch for the postseason and For Phillies this season, it's clinch not catch. Amazing. It seems like yesterday that I was telling Christine to relax and that her team was going to make the playoffs as we headed to the park for the last regular season game in 2007. In fairness, I had to give her that same talk tonight. (The standings were a little tighter in 2007.)

The Phillies moved closer to their clincher with a 9-3 win over the Marlins in the day game before a sparse crowd. They'll probably have it corrected, but when I checked this box score, it said "Attendance - 0."

Joe Blanton dominated - just two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in seven shutout innings.

The nightcap isn't going as well. Through seven innings, Anibal Sanchez is winning the battle of former Red Sox starters against Jamie Moyer. In the 8th, the Marlins lead 3-0. Christine is panicking. {Greg is exaggerating. A bit.}

Chatting SoxandPhils in the canned soup aisle

Christine has a cold, so I ran to the store to get her some soup for tomorrow's lunch.

While in the store, I heard a man say, "Nice hat."

Being the guy wearing the colors of an out-of-town team with a large front-running following, I can never tell if such a greeting is sincere or sarcastic.

"Thanks," I said, stalling for time to decide his intent.

"Are you a real fan?" he said.

"Yup," I answered. "I grew up in a Yankees house."

That was enough cred for him. He was wearing a Phillies 2008 championship T-shirt, but said he has also liked the Red Sox since watching them lose the 1967 World Series. He's from Philly and said he'd root for the Phillies over the Red Sox when they hook up next month.

It was a nice chat, especially since I usually just shy away from strangers.

By the way, either I missed them after four trips up and down the cracker aisle, or our local Shop-Rite doesn't carry oyster crackers. How could that be?

9th inning: Matty commented about the Phillies proclivity to giving up ninth inning runs. Sure, having a closer with an ERA of 7.24 doesn't help, but the Phillies worst inning the whole year has been the last. Throughout baseball, the 9th inning is the frame in which teams give up the fewest runs. I blame Brad Lidge's struggles, but this stat is further proof of the obvious: The Phillies need to be up big before the 9th inning to win in the playoffs. (Incidentally, the Phillies best inning is the 7th; baseball's worst is the 6th.)

Tonight's games: The Phillies are off, so Tyler Walker probably won't be "sweating like a hostage." But I'd bet on that happening tomorrow as the Phils have a twin bill in Miami.

The Red Sox are playing the Royals in the central time zone. They're up 8-5 in the 6th on another three-run homer by Jason Bay.

Tim Wakefield gave up a run before he gave up a hit. He's pitching like a guy with questionable leg strength: five runs (four earned) on five hits and SEVEN walks through five innings. The Red Sox twice had the lead up to six runs, but it's now it's down to three. Wake's thrown 104 pitches through five, so I think he's done for the night.

Hopefully, we hold and continue the march to New York.

Race to the finish

With each team having just 14 games left in the regular season, the SoxandPhils are in a tight race ... with each other to see who clinches first. The Phillies lowered their magic number to six today - almost small enough for Christine to breathe - while the Red Sox took theirs down to seven.

By the way, don't look now, but the Red Sox have trimmed the Yankees lead to five games one week before their showdown in the Bronx. The Empire had a nine-game lead little more than a week ago.

The Red Sox continued their dominance of the poor Orioles behind a decent start by Daisuke Matsuzaka: three runs on eight hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. In the 9-3 win, birthday boy Jason Bay homered. So did Jacoby Ellsbury.

In a game delayed by rain, which probably cost Cliff Lee a win, the Phillies beat the Braves 4-2. Lee gave up a run in four innings and looked good before rain ended his day early. Brad Lidge recorded his 31st save, but of course, he gave up a run while doing so.

Memo to Cholly: Lidge ain't getting it done this year. {Memo to Greg: Cholly knows that, but he can't say it. He has no other choice but to keep putting Lidge out there because ...}

More bad news: While the last three starters have had abbreviated starts (Lee by rain and J.A. Happ and Pedro Martinez by injury), you'd think Brett Myers would get some work. Nope, he's injured too. Is Jamie Moyer the only pitcher left without injury concern?

Pain in the neck

I felt this one coming. As we watched Pedro Martinez take his warm-ups, I asked Christine if she thought tonight would be a clunker from Pedro. In other words, Pedro's good stretch was due to end.

Sure enough, it did. He lasted three innings, giving up three earned on seven hits and three walks. Even worse, he left the game with a stiff neck. Maybe I was a little too premature in believing Pedro found the fountain of youth when he tossed 130 pitches in his virtuoso performance on Sunday.

The Phillies trailed the Braves 6-0 in the 9th before making it interesting. Ryan Howard crushed a two-run home run, and they kept chipping away at Rafael Soriano to the point that Jimmy Rollins came up with two outs, two on and the Phils down by three.

"You feeling J-Roll?" I asked.

"No, you?"

"I don't think he ends the game, but he won't tie it."

J-Roll singled in a run, but the game ended in the next at-bat when Ben Francisco popped out.

Christine wasn't happy that I was getting some psychic vibes and that the Phillies couldn't lower their magic number from eight.

Red Sox: The Orioles bullpen blew up a pitching duel between Jon Lester and David Hernandez. Both starters left after six innings with the score tied at 3. But the Red Sox - highlighted by J.D. Drew's three-run homer - exploded for eight runs in the 7th and 8th innings. In the 9th, the Red Sox lead 11-3.

Stop believing

Things are going so well for the SoxandPhils that the local scribes seem to think the year is over. Tony Massarotti tips his hat to Theo Epstein and the Sox, while Todd Zolecki notes the Phils have a lead so big that the Mets couldn't blow it. (Christine is still trying to stay in denial that the Phillies have it wrapped up.)

Things have been going swell, but I have spotted trouble ahead. No, I'm not talking about the fact that J.A. Happ was yanked tonight after three innings in his comeback start or that Jason Bay caught the swine flu from Shane Victorino. (Christine wants me to say that Shane-O is still having tummy issues, but I don't know that to be fact.) Carlos Ruiz also left with a wrist injury.

But the real trouble ahead is if the Phillies match up against the Dodgers - they will have no chance because Los Angeles has hijacked the power of Journey from Jayson Werth.

Steve Perry, a Giants fan, isn't happy:

"It tweaks me to know they're using the song as a rally song," he told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I really wish [the Giants] had hijacked it first. I think the song is about hope and power, and it's working for [the Dodgers], damn it."

I'm worried. Werth likes Journey (although we haven't heard him use Separate Ways in a while). Christine and I don't like Journey, but I have had Don't Stop stuck in my head since Monday.

This can't bode well if there's a rematch of last year's NLCS.

Tonight's games: The Red Sox continue to try to put themselves in a position in which next weekend's series in the Bronx means something. Clay Buchholz won again - the Sox haven't lost in his last seven starts (five wins and two no-decisions). He gave up one run in six innings before the bullpen shut the door in the 3-1 win over the Orioles.

The Phillies, behind two Ryan Howard homers and insurance blasts from Jimmy Rollins and Ben Francisco, beat the Braves 9-4. Before Howard's first, they showed he was hitting .231 with one home run in September. I gave him the choking sign. Christine got mad. Howard homered. Mission accomplished.

Tyler Walker, who Christine earlier in the week proclaimed the unsung Phillie of 2009, gave up two runs in the 8th inning, but she's blaming that on the Daily News for writing about him, not her proclamation.

Before he left - whether because of precaution or reinjury - Happ looked a bit shaky. Kyle Kendrick tossed four shutout innings. Hmm ... so maybe the playoff rotation will be Pedro Martinez, Kyle Kendrick, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee.

Extended Journey: Christine remembered that the 2005 Chicago White Sox had used the ballad. While looking for a link, I found Timoney's YouTube video of Perry jamming with the White Sox during their victory parade. It's odd. The crowd is dead. Give me the world effin' champions or a bunch of duck boats any day. Judge for yourself:

Playoff baseball has arrived

Last night felt like playoff baseball - hoping not only for a win, but for an ending so I could go to sleep.

Somehow I was able to fall asleep even after all the craziness and excitement of the 9th inning in which the Red Sox stole a 9-8 walkoff win from the Angels.

Despite the playoff feel, the game never seemed comfortable other than the five-run 6th inning in which the Red Sox took a 5-3 lead. They coughed it right up and entered the bottom of the 9th facing Brian Fuentes trailing 8-7.

The Red Sox had a 23 percent chance of winning at that point, which dropped to 5 percent after two quick flyouts. Then things got crazy. David Ortiz worked a walk. J.D. Drew hit an infield single. Jed Lowrie, making his first plate appearance in more than a month, pinch hit and got another infield single. Actually, this could have been a game-tying double if Chone Figgins didn't knock it down.

Then, a nine-pitch walk by pinch-hitter Nick Green swung the odds in the Red Sox favor. I admit, Green, who looked awful and later said he had a dead leg, should have been punched out at least twice. Once on a checked swing on which he clearly swung and on the final pitch, which looked to be a perfect strike.

I'll let Mike Scioscia and Fuentes do the griping. I don't want to be fined by the commissioner's office.

Nonetheless, in baseball, spit happens, like Alex Gonzalez's little duck snort to left to win it and put the Red Sox comfortably ahead of the Rangers by 6.5 games and still within hope (6.5 games) of catching the Yankees.

Tonight's games: Both games were on TV again tonight, but we decided to rely on the channel return button instead of watching in separate rooms - especially the breath-taking 9th innings that ended without a Red Sox comeback, but a Brad Lidge save in a blemished outing.

Both our teams' aces went eight innings tonight. Josh Beckett gave up three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in the 4-3 loss to the Angels. Billy Wagner blew it for him in the 8th.

Cole Hamels was better than Beckett. He took a perfect game into the 6th. Christine blames me for getting up from the computer for breaking the streak. Hey, I finished prewriting the blog all I could and I was going to have to use the facilities. Jeez, it's not like I needed a substitution like Shane Victorino.

Cole finished with a run on five hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts. Brad Lidge gave up a run in the 9th, but he held on to preserve the 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Thus ended a successful 13-2 homestand for the SoxandPhils. They're cruising toward their October/November showdown.

Just chillin'

With the Red Sox battling the Angels on ESPN (in a matchup that will likely be repeated in the playoffs for the fourth time since 2004) and the Phillies trying to beat the Nationals and gain ground on the Dodgers in the chase for home-field advantage, Christine and I took advantage of our home's split levels and multiple TVs.

There hasn't been much news today: Greg Dobbs is back, J.A. Happ probably will be and Tim Wakefield may soon follow. And unlike Joba Chamberlain, no more training wheels for Clay Buchholz.

Downstairs: Paul Byrd pitched decently for a guy who should be retired - three runs in 5 1/3. The game had a playoff feel when the Red Sox rallied and took the lead with five runs in the 6th. But Takashi Saito and Ramon Ramirez coughed it up, giving up four runs in the 7th. The Angels, up 7-5, are rallying again in the 8th.

Upstairs: Rebounding from his worst start of the season, Joe Blanton tossed six scoreless innings, giving up five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in the 6-1 win over the Nationals.

The Phillies took the lead in the 1st when Ryan Howard stole second base, allowing Chase Utley to steal home. The dynamic duo extended their career-high stolen base totals: seven for the big guy, 20 for Utley. The double steal also gave the Phillies a 2-1 lead over the Red Sox in steals of home this year.

Jayson Werth iced the game with a grand slam in the 7th, right after they showed he has hit .231 in his career with the bases loaded. "Wow, Jayson Werth is the one guy on the team who stinks with the bases loaded," I said before the blast.

Late in the game, Christine asked me to look up the last time the Phillies had three straight shutouts. I'm glad I didn't try when her guy, Tyler Walker, gave up a run in the 9th, ending a scoreless streak that began in the first game on Sunday. Chris Wheeler said the last time the Phillies had three shutouts in a row was 1969.

Unsung Phillie of the year

On Sunday, Christine approached me and said in a pensive tone, "Do you remember how last year I declared Jayson Werth the Phillies unsung player of the year? Well, this year it's Tyler Walker."

That thought was lost amid my lawn mowing, bike riding and other things to do that day. Sure enough, Scott Lauber later piped in:

–Unheralded reliever Tyler Walker notched the last two outs of the eighth inning, extending his scoreless streak to a career-high 14 innings.

I swear Christine said it first.

Today, the Daily News featured him and how the closest he's come to pitching in the playoffs was 2004 when his Giants were eliminated on the last day of the season by Werth and the Dodgers.

This year, he's arguably been the Phillies best reliever. Entering tonight, he has pitched 27 innings in 23 games, giving up just five runs on six walks and 18 hits with 19 strikeouts. His ERA is 1.67, WHIP is 0.89 and K/9 is 6.3.

I don't think he has to worry about missing out on the playoffs this year - not that he's thinking about it:

"My focus has to remain really singular," Walker said. "I know it is trite and mundane, but I really have to worry about the Nationals on Tuesday. If you get ahead of yourself in this game, somebody is there to kick you right in your stomach."

I know. I just jinxed a broken arm on him or something.

Tonight's tilts: Daisuke Matsuzaka, making a last-minute push to be the Red Sox unsung hero after nearly sabotaging the season in pursuit of the stupid World Baseball Classic championship, took a no-hitter into the 5th inning. In a playoff preview against the Angels, Dice went six shutout innings, giving up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Best of all, he was uncharacteristically economical: 93 pitches.

In the 8th, Red Sox 2, Angels 0.

The Phillies lead the Nationals 5-0 in the 8th. Cliff Lee's struggles may be over: seven shutout innings with four hits and three walks.

Tonight's trivia: Who was the last Phillie to win the Paul Owens Award (best Phillies minor leaguer) while playing third base? Christine shot down my guess - Chase Utley. I was correct. {I didn't think he played that many games at third base because the experiment was such a bust. But he played 123 games there in 2002.}

Gag me with a spoon

Don't do it.

Don't even think of it.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK.

(This is so awful that I will not mention the author nor the title even though it's probably costing me blog hits.)

There are millions of struggling legitimate writers out there. Support them, not this pompous ass. He already has a much larger platform than he deserves. We have to listen to him every night, and that's not enough for him.

By the way, you know this is bad. We've bought books written by Gary Matthews, Chris Coste and even the Phanatic. But even we, as authors of a blog half dedicated to the Phillies, cannot do this one.

Argh.

This reviewer, who sounds an awful lot like Sarge, says it all.

Thankfully, the Phillies are off tonight, so I don't have to hear him. Actually, it is good the Phillies are off, so we can savor Pedro Martinez's performance for one more night. It was so reminiscent of the vintage Pedro who pretty much single-handedly made the Red Sox respectable in the late '90s.

I also had flashbacks of 2003 when Grady Little left him in too long. Last night, I was screaming at the TV when Charlie Manuel let him come out for the 8th inning. I was yelling again when he left him in after visiting the mound.

But then, reading Scott Lauber this morning changed my mind:

Last night, Pedro went eight innings and threw 130 pitches. He hadn't pitched so deep into a regular-season game since May 31, 2006, when he shut out the Arizona for eight innings, and he hadn't thrown so many pitches in a non-playoff game since May 1, 2001, his prime with the Red Sox, when he reached back and fired 136 against Seattle. At one point, a friend from Boston sent me a note on Twitter (@scottlauber) that asked, essentially, if Manuel had never heard of Grady Little, the former Sox manager who ultimately was fired for sticking with Pedro for too long in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, forever known in New England as "The Aaron Boone Game."

But what my friend failed to understand is what Pedro explained late last night in the Phillies' clubhouse. He insisted he feels better than he has since 1998, 1999 or early 2000, and with his unexpected health has come an equally surprising level of effectiveness.

I told Christine I was believing in Pedro again. I wish my T-shirt still fit. I wish I could get Don't Stop Believing out of my head.

Tonight: The Red Sox and the Phillies are off.

Weekend wrap-up

Yesterday ended really ugly for the Phillies, but if they can polish off the Mets tonight - which would officially eliminate the Mets from playoff contention about three weeks earlier than usual - then it would be a pretty good weekend capped off with a pair of SoxandPhils doubleheader sweeps.

Saturday: We ventured into Yankees and Mets territory to visit the family. We saw the Mets take a 4-0 lead on Jamie Moyer, yet Christine remained calm, even as my 9-year-old niece needled her. We were out to dinner for most of the game, but heard on the car ride back from the restaurant that the Phillies were threatening to score more in the 8th. We got inside to see Ryan Howard strike out with the bases load.

Then, Ryan Madson came in to close it out after Brett Myers had given up three runs in 1/3 of an inning. Mad Dog was no better, doing his best Brad Lidge impression by giving up a two-run home run to David Wright. Game over, after we endured Francisco Rodriguez strutting around after getting the save. Mets 10, Phillies 9.

Christine kept grumbling the whole ride down the Turnpike.

The Red Sox won a five-inning rain-shortened game 9-1 against the Rays. Josh Beckett had a 78-pitch complete game.

Today (Red Sox): In the afternoon game, Clay Buchholz pitched well again - one run in seven innings - but did not get the win because the Red Sox couldn't score the go-ahead run in the 3-1 game until the 8th when Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run home run.

In the nightcap, Jon Lester, who game up three hits in 1/3 of an inning in Friday's start that was washed out, gave up just two hits and three walks in eight innings, pitching on short rest. I love this guy.

Today (Phillies): They won the opener 5-4 behind a pair of pitchers looking to redeem themselves. Kyle Kendrick was quite a surprise: two runs on seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Even more of a surprise was Brad Lidge getting the ball in the 9th. It was nerve-wracking as he pitched as poorly as he could without blowing another one. He let the Mets chip away and score two runs on three hits before freezing Angel Pagan with his second strikeout of the inning.

Question: Has a reigning World Champion with a decent chance to repeat ever gone to the season's last three weeks looking for its closer?

Tonight: Pedro Martinez is trying for the fourth SoxandPhils win today. He's up 1-0 in the 5th against his former team.

Thanks Zolecki

Late last month, Christine quietly tracked the Phillies magic number. I emphasize - quietly. She did this last year too, but never told me until the number was down to four. Even though they won the World Series, she still thinks she tempted fate to deal the Phils a horrible ending by mentioning their magic number.

But it would have been my fault, of course.

If the fates do so this year, she will blame Todd Zolecki. On Sept. 4, he gushed about the Phillies dominant pitching in a blog that ended with "The magic number is 22."

Since then, the Phillies have gone 3-5 against the tough Astros, Nationals and Mets. In a week, that number has been reduced by only five to 17.

Zo, you may be the Phillies best beat writer, but if the Phillies don't get going soon, you're going to have some dirty looks coming from South Jersey.

We'll probably be out of the loop today as the SoxandPhils take on their division rivals, the Rays and the Mets.

Stupid rain

So, we're just two games up on the Wild Card with little more than three weeks left in the season. It's raining. Our best pitcher is scheduled to start. What do you do? Start the game, or wait and hope it stops raining?

I'd go with Option B; unfortunately, Option A was what happened. And it was even worse than I imagined. The game was delayed in the first inning after the Rays loaded the bases against Jon Lester with one out.

Fortunately, they canceled this game and will try to play a doubleheader on Sunday. But that means that coming down this tight stretch run, we're going to have one fewer start from Lester.

Oh well, we've overcome worse.

Tonight's completed game: The Phillies actually won one, 4-2 over the Mets, behind a strong Cole Hamels outing: one run in 6 1/3 innings. Shane Victorino was 3-3 with with two walks and a run.

But the only thing that matters these days is who's on tap to close. Tonight it was Ryan Madson. We don't understand why they didn't leave Brett Myers out there because he needed just six pitches to set the Mets down in the 8th. Madson gave up a run, but got out of a jam with the help of a double play.

We miss Harry: In the bottom of the 8th, Chris Wheeler blathered about the Phillies doing something to the team behind them so that they'll be a little bit "closer to a happy ending." I wonder if he knows what he said.

Nothing much happening tonight

A day after I cited Jayson Stark's report on how Jimmy Rollins was having a historically significant defensive season, he made two errors tonight to blow it all.

Plus, Joe Blanton had his worst outing of the year, giving up eight earned runs on seven hits and four walks. It's the first time Country Joe has given up more than four earned runs in a start since June 18. Adam Eaton anyone? He's available; so is Rodrigo Lopez.

In the 7th, it's Nationals 8, Phillies 2. Sounds like a no-stress time for Brad Lidge, eh Charlie?

"I don't see us using him in the seventh or eighth inning," Manuel said. "I look at him as a closer. That's kind of where he fits. I see him pitching once he needs work. If we're behind in the game or we're ahead or something by a good margin we'll get him to make sure he pitches live in the game. He needs to get work where he can command his pitches and he feels good about himself. I agree that he needs work like that. That's kind of what he wants. I don't know how much work like that from here to the end of the season we can get him."

Like she did in Game 4 of last year's NLCS, Christine sounds like she's on the verge of giving up on her Phillies despite their favorable standing. {I'm not. I just want them to win, now.}

Up two games in the Wild Card standings with 23 to play, the Red Sox had a day off. They have only one more day off after this one.

Catching up with SoxandPhils keystone combos

I've read a few interesting tidbits about our teams' midfielders in the past couple days.

Everyone knows Chase Utley is real good and has been the best second baseman in baseball the past few years. This FanGraphs blogger, however, suggests he has been nearly Albert Pujols good, but has largely been ignored by MVP voters. Ironically, this Chase Utley admirer, Erik Manning, covers not the Phillies, but the Cardinals. He notes that Chase hasn't yet cinched a spot in the Hall of Fame, but he's got a good shot at being an all-time upper pantheon type of player.

While checking Utley's Baseball-Reference page to see how close he is to being a Hall of Famer, I noticed some interesting friends and foes in his player comps: David Wright, Victor Martinez, Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, Marcus Giles and Carlton Fisk.

It's hard to believe Utley hasn't finished higher than seventh in MVP voting. Maybe he should try to raise his profile by garnering attention by doing something - say, cursing on a national broadcast.

Or, he could ask the SoxandPhils middle infield MVPs - Jimmy Rollins and Dustin Pedroia - for advice.

Speaking of J-Roll, everyone knows he's having a down year at the plate, but he may be having a historically good season in the field. Jayson Stark reports he could become the first NL shortstop to handle more than 600 chances with three errors or fewer:

When a player is in the midst of a historic offensive season, the world catches on to it by now. But how come, when a guy is chasing a historic defensive season, it's a bigger secret than Dick Cheney's cholesterol count?

The Red Sox MVP second baseman is starting to power up for the stretch run. He weathered a 183 at-bat homerless stretch in the middle of the season and had his first multi-homer game last night:

And as far as the numbers taking care of themselves, he's three homers shy of the 15 he hit a year ago.

"You get more at-bats throughout the year, and it all evens out," Pedroia said. "It's not like I'm going to hit 30 home runs in a year or anything like that. But I'm definitely going to hit some."

And his new double-play mate has a strange season going. I swear I noticed this days ago, but Alex Gonzalez is hitting .289 - that's good. But he's only getting on-base at a .289 clip - that's not good. How does someone go 84 at bats without a walk?

Today's games: Both of our teams are in tight ones against less than top-notch competition. The Red Sox have blown a lead in a game started by Paul Byrd (Manny Delcarman's the culprit of the blown lead) and trail the Orioles 4-3 in the 6th.

When I started updating the scores, the Phillies were starting the 8th tied at four after Cliff Lee gave up a run in the 7th, but the red-hot (Christine swears he's not juiced) Jayson Werth hit another home run, followed by Pedro Feliz. In the 8th, Phillies 6, Nationals 4.

I wonder who gets the ball if it stays close in the 9th.

Breaking point

All weekend, I've had to talk Christine off the figurative ledge - as if her team was the one in a scrape for the Wild Card, not the one with a six-game lead in a division with marginal competition.

But this morning I learned that her frustration is nothing compared with Charlie Manuel's, who let loose what reporters have depicted as his biggest can of whoop-ass the players have ever seen from him. The Daily News had the best headline, Snarly Manuel (I would have gone with Snarly Charlie). Scott Lauber had the complete transcript, with some censorship:

[Expletive] the last couple years. That don't mean [crap]. We're playing today. Last year is dead and gone. Having to win? No, I don't get that. I think when you have a lead, you're sitting better than you are when you absolutely have to win a game that day. I think having a lead's got to be better than that. I'll take the lead. That's what I'm trying to say. Last year, what happened in the past, that's gone. We played tremendous baseball last year the last five, six weeks. Best baseball we've ever played. I'm not going to give our lead up and say, 'We'll start here.' No, I'm not going to do that because I don't know if we can come through or not. I like our chances better where we're at, but at the same time, we have to win some games. That's what I'm trying to say.

I wonder if being on the receiving end of a Cholly riff is like when your grandmother expresses disappointment in you. It's just got to feel bad.

How'd it work? So far, so good (except for Brad Lidge - who was pulled and could be done as the Phillies closer this year). The Phillies had five solo home runs - two by Raul Ibanez and one each by Chase Utley, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz - to beat the Nationals 5-3.

With their blasts, Ibanez and Utley joined Ryan Howard and Werth with 30 home runs this season. Three home runs came in the 7th. For the formerly ancient Mariner, that's three home runs in his last two games after he had gone nearly 80 plate appearances without one. Is RAAAUUULLL!!!! BAAACCCKKK????

Definitely not back is Lidge. He was removed mid-inning after loading the bases. Closer-in-waiting Brett Myers had already pitched 1 1/3 innings, so it was Ryan Madson who got the call and pitched out of Lidge's jam without allowing a run.

This is the night that Cholly officially acknowledged what the fans have known: Brad Lidge is broken.

Fortunately, he did not spoil another strong start by Pedro Martinez. When he signed with the Phillies, he had 99 career losses. Christine anticipated that the round number would come in his first appearance. He's managed to avoid it through six starts. He pitched well again: three earned runs in six innings. Despite throwing 105 pitches through six, they sent him out for the 7th. I thought it was a mistake. He got two outs before giving up a solo home run.

Why can't the Red Sox play the Orioles every week? They're now 12-2 against the AL East cellar dwellers with tonight's 10-0 win. Clay Buchholz went seven innings, giving up three hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Big night for Dustin Pedroia: 2-3 with two runs, three RBIs, two home runs and a walk.

Catching up with catching

In the news today are stories about the guys behind the plate for the SoxandPhils, Carlos Ruiz and Jas--- err, Victor Martinez.

Nick Cafardo takes a look at V-Mart in a column that broaches a few interesting thoughts: His defense is better than perceived (Chris Coste can sympathize), he may knock Jason Varitek out of Boston as soon as next year, and it may be he, not Joe Mauer, who will be the long-term successor to Tek.

As I hinted yesterday when talking about Brad Penny's stupid comment, perhaps it's not so much that Martinez's defense has been underrated but that Varitek's game-calling genius has been overrated.

I love the Captain and the intangibles he has brought to two championship clubs, but those qualities have not been able to offset Varitek's diminished offense in recent years.

I think this quote from Mike Lowell is telling. He probably meant only to inflate Martinez, but it's hard to read it without thinking it's an honest criticism of Varitek:

I've always thought [calling a game] was a little bit overrated. (Martinez is) an All-Star catcher. I believe there's value in guys who call a good game, but I think now that Victor has caught a few guys a few times he's calling good games. Sometimes that's made a little bit more of than it should be, again, not because it's not important, but I believe an All-Star-type catcher can learn his staff. He caught the Indians and they had a pretty damn good pitching staff. It's not like he's doing something for the first time.

If Varitek is still on the team in 2010, it will be merely, and clearly, as the backup.

The Phillies starting catcher, meanwhile, received plaudits for his mediocre offensive campaign. Mediocre by anyone's standards, but stellar for the Choochster. According to FanGraphs, Ruiz is on pace for his most valuable season. And, if he can maintain or even improve upon his .768 OPS, then he could see some positive offensive value for the first time in his career. Right now, he's at 0.0; his career is -23.5.

He's pleased with his season:

The big thing is, you can have the ability to hit, but if you don't relax, it's tough. If you're a player, man, you want to do good. When you don't, it's tough. Now, I'm hitting the ball gap-to-gap, and it has been good again.

Charlie Manuel still isn't satisfied:

He's got 35 RBIs. I think he could do better than that.

Today: Enjoy the grill. Be grateful if you have a job, and remember those who don't.

The Phillies turn to their stopper, J.A. Happ, to avert the sweep in Houston while a pair of struggling aces, Josh Beckett and Mark Buehrle, square off in Chicago.

Catching up with former SoxandPhils

There was no shortage of tidbits about former Phillies and Red Sox in the news today. Here are the highlights. Followed by some snark.

Helping the Astros enjoy a win at the expense of yet another Brad Lidge blown save wasn't good enough for Phillies discard Chris Coste. He couldn't resist taken a swipe at his former team:

It didn't surprise me they let me go. After four years, they never recognized that I was actually a way-above-average defensive catcher. When my role became righthanded pinch-hitter off the bench, and I wasn't doing well in that role, it made sense. But what I never did understand was that I lost my job as a backup catcher, because in my mind I didn't do anything to lose it.

He also said that because he was constantly removed from games in the 9th inning, it hurt his reputation, suggesting he couldn't catch a slider in the dirt. He acknowledges this could be the last month for the improbable Chris Coste story.

The assessment comes from honest feelings and may be true, but at some point, Coster has to accept that sometimes players fall through the cracks. He was destined, too, but he got at least four years in the big leagues. Many would love that without the constant griping about reputation.

Jim Salisbury reports that the Indians fans aren't happy with the Cliff Lee trade (though Phillies fans haven't been that pleased either during the last two weeks), especially because Jason Donald and Jason Knapp have been injured and Carlos Carrasco got shelled in his major league debut. Unmentioned is that Lou Marson is hitting .240/.313/.320 in AAA.

Egad. This one isn't exactly looking like a repeat of Lee, Brandon Phillies, Grady Sizemore and Lee Stevens for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew for the Tribe.

Nick Cafardo notes that Carlos Pena could be the first New Englander since Tony Conigliaro to win a home run crown:

"Don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but that would be an honor to be mentioned in the same way as Tony C," said the Haverhill native. "He's a Boston hero and I heard a lot about him growing up in the Boston area."

Good for him. I have no snark.

Cafardo also reports that Brad Penny credited his new catcher, Eli Whiteside, with his dominant outing against the Phillies because he suggested throwing more breaking balls earlier in the count.

Cafardo's snark:

Question: As a veteran pitcher, did Penny ever think about this on his own while he was getting drilled over his last 10 starts with Boston?

My snark: Um, where's the catching genius of Jason Varitek here? Shouldn't the columnist be questioning the Captain, too? But I agree, Penny's a punk.

Finally, hard to believe for those of us who watched him as a Phillie, but Gavin Floyd has pretty much become an ace.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen loves Floyd, and while he's placed the ace label on Buehrle, he said Floyd has pitched "tough games" for him the last two years. "When we most need him, he shows up," said Guillen. "This kid is so consistent. When he's out there in those situations, you're going to see who's tough. He goes out and dominates."

Today's games: Coste didn't play today, but Michael Bourn went 2-4 with two runs in the Astros third straight win over the Phillies. Cole Hamels' recent dominance has vanished: four earned in six innings. Astros 4, Phillies 3.

Billy Wagner gave up a solo home run after Jon Lester pitched seven scoreless. But the Red Sox scored three more in the 9th for a much-need 6-1 win over the White Sox.

Houston, we have a problem

The Phillies actually scored some runs tonight, breaking a 17-inning drought, and took a 4-3 lead in the 8th inning. Charlie Manuel said he would have Brett Myers make his 2008 bullpen debut in a stress-free situation. Instead, Myers was brought in in the bottom of the 8th.

We thought he would be overly excited and implode, especially after walking the leadoff man. But he got lucky when Lance Berkman tried to steal and was nailed by Carlos Ruiz. Myers finished the inning without incident.

Unfortunately, he didn't come out for the 9th. That's Brad Lidge's inning, no matter how many times he blows it.

He struck out the leadoff man and walked the next guy before Chris Coste, as predicted, singled. Jason Michaels walked. Michael Bourn (how many friggin' former Phils are on this team?) grounded out, allowing Kaz Matsui to be the hero with a two-run single. Game over: Astros 5, Phillies 4.

Red Sox: Not any better. Gavin Floyd retired the first 17, outpitching Tim Wakefield, who I guess did OK for a 42-year-old with no back. White Sox 5, Red Sox 1.

Whack it

Recently, I've been trying to come up with a way to express how this year for the SoxandPhils (more so with the Red Sox), every time the ship seems to be righted, it springs another leak.

Paul Hagen nailed it today:

The Phillies' rotation has begun to resemble a game of Pop-A-Mole.

Just when one concern seems to be hammered into submission - that would be Cole Hamels - another jumps up to demand their attention. Now it's Cliff Lee.

Perfect analogy. Just when you think the Red Sox can cruise into the Wild Card after winning a series in Tampa, they get drubbed 12-2 against the White Sox, reducing their lead to two games. Just when you think Josh Beckett has a chance at the Cy Young, he enters a month-long funk. Just when you think Ruben Amaro was a visionary for signing Raul Ibanez over Pat Burrell, the werewolf disappears in the second half. (OK, the bulldog still hasn't done much either.)

But you get the point. It's impossible to be steady in this game and, although I've done a much better job of keeping my emotions in check since 2004, it's also the biggest struggle of a fan. You have to remember the cliches that it's a long season and today is never as good, nor as bad, as it seems.

Wait, check that. A FanGraphs blog has found the epitome of consistency, and he mans third base for your hometown Phightin' Phils. The forgotten Pedro, not Martinez but Feliz, has had a very stable OPS in recent years: .709 in 2006; .708 in 2007; .705 in 2008; and .706 so far this year. You can go back one more year to include 2005's .717. And, in those five years his OPS+ (some sort of stadium-adjusted measurement against league averages) has remained between 79 and 85.

Interesting. My favorite thing about Feliz was from before I retired from fantasy baseball (and long before he was a Phillie). He was a solid player, but for fantasy purposes, he was eligible at third, first, outfield and, in some years, shortstop.

Enjoy the day. Tim Wakefield looks to steady the boat against the White Sox this afternoon, while Joe Blanton tries to keep his head underground and away from the mallet against the Astros tonight.

Stupid former Indians pitchers

The recent good performances by Cliff Lee and Paul Bryd, both former Indians, have been wiped away tonight.

After starting 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA for the Phillies, Cliff Lee has been shelled in his last two starts. His ERA rose to 1.80 after giving up six earned runs in five innings on Saturday, and it's now 2.81 after yielding six earned runs in three innings tonight. Jamie Moyer is now in, making his first relief appearance for a starter other than Pedro Martinez. In the 5th, it's Astros 6, Phillies 0.

If he keeps pitching like this, come playoff time, Lee might be keeping J-Moy company in the bullpen.

I still can't get over Pedro Martinez's performance yesterday. Christine joked the other night that he's going to wear a Phillies hat on his Hall of Fame plaque.

He's not, according to a Q&A with Yahoo!'s Answer Man:

DB: Assuming you get there, would you wear a Red Sox cap on your Hall of Fame plaque?
PM: I have no idea, but I would love to. Either that one or a Montreal hat. It's not up to me, it's up to the league, but I think Boston without a doubt. I'll take it.

Then, Pedro talks flowers. It's weird.

DB: Which kinds of flowers are your favorite?
PM: Orchids. All of them.
They're so delicate and tender. So beautiful.
DB: Do you talk to them?
PM: Yes!
DB: What do you say?
PM: I pray for them and tell them they have to get better and that I'm sorry about not taking care of them on time.
DB: Do you feel guilty?
PM: I just ... sometimes, I just don't have the time.
DB: What got you into gardening in the first place?
PM: My mom. She would spend a lot of time in the garden and I used to spend a lot of time with my mom.

In the American League, meanwhile, Byrd no longer has an unblemished ERA. He gave up seven earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, inflating his ERA from 0.00 to 7.56. The Red Sox scored one in the 4th, so the comeback is under way. In the 4th, White Sox 8, Red Sox 1.

Pedro doesn't have to tag in Moyer

With Jamie Moyer rested and ready to go, Pedro Martinez kept him in the bullpen by more than holding his own in a matchup of Cy Youngs young and old that exceeded expectations.

Pedro went seven innings, giving up a run on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. He threw only 87 pitches and probably would have pitched into the 8th inning except Carlos Ruiz doubled in the 7th, forcing Charlie Manuel to pinch hit with Matt Stairs, whom Pedro has outhit since his return to the majors.

{Maybe the Phillies should have claimed Jim Thome. They're still paying his salary.}

But you can't really blame Cholly because the Phillies had a scant one-run lead as Tim Lincecum pitched like a guy on his way to a second consecutive Cy Young: seven innings with two runs on four hits, a walk and 11 strikeouts.

All week I've been amused by people who thought Pedro would be able to hold his own in this matchup. I still can't believe the game was this good. It even ended by 9:15 even though Brad Lidge made it interesting by putting the potential tying run on third and go-ahead run on first before ending it. Phillies 2, Giants 1.

(The picture above is from the latest Phillies program. As has become custom, J-Moy follows Petey. And, as has become custom, he looks cranky about it.)

Red Sox: The Red Sox and Rays also had an intriguing matchup: Clay Buchholz vs. David Price - the two premiere arms of the next generation in the AL East. I didn't see it, but judging from the box score, it was nowhere near as good as the Pedro-Lincecum marquee.

Price was lifted in the 6th after giving up four runs; Buchholz is still going, but has given up three so far. In the 7th, Red Sox 4, Rays 3.

Today's talking points: SoxandPhils stud pitchers

It was nice to hear Mike & Mike's "What everyone's talking about" open this morning with a discussion of Tuesday night's outstanding pitching performances by Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester.

The trio combined yesterday for two wins and a save in 17 innings, two runs, nine hits, three walks and 21 strikeouts.

Yesterday, Christine thought I was a little down on Lester's line and maybe I was, but only in comparison with the gem Hamels put up there.

Anyhoo, here's some of the tidbits of their stellar performances:

Cole Hamels:

It was the lowest-hit shutout in Citizens Bank Park. Two others had three-hit shutouts, most recently by Hamels last year.

Yesterday, I said he has tossed 17 straight scoreless innings, repeating what I heard from Tom McCarthy. Technically that's true for his last two starts, but it's actually 19 if you include the last two innings of an otherwise clunker of a start against the Mets.

I forgot to mention yesterday that Hamels also had a stolen base. It was the first for a Phillies pitcher since 1997 by ... possible future U.S. Sen. Curt Schilling, R-Red Sox Nation. I wish I could go back in time to see the big lug steal a bag in that game.

Jonathan Papelbon:

He had a two-inning save in the 2007 ALCS, but last night was his first in the regular season.

People often talk about cheap saves, but this one was anything but. Two innings, including entering the game with the bases loaded.

Batters facing Papelbon with the bases loaded are now just 3-38.

Last night was the 13th time Papelbon has gone two or more innings in relief (regular season only). He has five wins, two blown saves and last night's save. He has a 0.95 ERA in those 28 1/3 innings. Mariano who?

Jon Lester:

He now has 196 strikeouts for the season - more than any other Red Sox lefty has recorded in one season.

It's not you, it's me: All week, since we learned Brad Penny was going to the Giants, I told Christine he was going to shut down the Phillies. She would get insulted. Not her Phillies, she'd say.

I'd reply that it has nothing to do with the Phillies, it's just that he has to pitch well to make the Red Sox look foolish for dumping him. I fully expected a strong outing, but I couldn't have imagined this: eight shutout innings with five hits and a walk. Unreal. And, he needed only 102 pitches. We're surprised they didn't let him finish the job. Giants 4, Phillies 0.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, with Josh Beckett, the unquestionable ace of a team with an excess of pitching, trail the Rays 5-4 in the 8th. Beckett struggled for his fourth straight start: five runs (four earned) in six innings. We may come back, but we need Beckett to return to form ASAP.

Picture perfect

Recently, I wrote about how Christine likes when the Phillies get zoo-i-fied on the scoreboard.

She particularly liked Jayson Werth's zoo shot Saturday because it looks like he's blowing away the frog.

I know, we're weird.

Looking at that picture reminds me how awful Saturday night's game was and how we forgot to mention whom we hold responsible. Not Cliff Lee. Not the anemic offense. Not even the crappy weather.

No, we blamed the music operator. He was off his game. The biggest offenses were playing a club remix of Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer early on and not playing Bob Marley for Shane Victorino's at-bats.

I thought things were going to get better later in the game when he played Van Halen's Unchained during a Braves pitching change in the 6th, but Peter Moylan stranded the two Phillies who were in scoring position. I foolishly thought things would improve the next inning when he finally broke out Sammy Hagar for Jayson Werth, but Werth just struck out with the bases loaded - just like Ryan Howard before him. Raul Ibanez followed with a flyout to end the inning in the Phillies last at-bats before the rain fell.

The music operator better get his fingers pushing the right buttons before the playoffs start.

We miss Harry: In the first inning tonight, they showed Edgar Renteria's stats at Citizens Bank Park. Tom McCarthy noted that those numbers came when he was a Cardinal and a Brave. Stupid Chris Wheeler chimed in pompously, "And a Marlin."

Yeah, Wheels. Renteria has played in Citizens Bank Park as a Cardinal, Brave, Red Sox and now the Giants, but he hasn't played for Florida since 1998. Citizens Bank opened in 2004.

Tonight's games: Three words: Colbert Richard Hamels. He's back and showing Clifton Phifer Lee who's the real ace of the Phillies. He retired 21 straight batters at one point tonight and has now gone 17 innings without a run. It was a magnificent 1-0 win over the Giants, a complete game shutout for Cole. Kudos to Charlie Manuel for sticking with his ace instead of playing by the book and going to the "closer."

Hamels gave up just two hits and a walk with nine strikeouts when his mates could manufacture just one run off his opponent Jonathan Sanchez.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, lead the Rays 6-2 in the 8th in the start of a series that is hopefully the Rays' last stand. The Sox young lefty ace, Jon Lester, was not as dominant as Hamels: two runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. But he did have nine strikeouts.