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.