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.