Former SoxandPhils stuck in New York

The Fan's Mike Francesa has quickly become enamored with Rod Barajas since he signed with the Mets, saying he is a student of the game with a real passion for baseball. That's news for us who lived through his 2007 stint with the Phillies.

It didn't hit me immediately that Barajas' arrival in New York means that just like in 2007, he's forcing Chris Coste to the minors:

Mets manager Jerry Manuel wasn't ready to concede the job to Barajas, but with a one-year, $1 million deal that the front office forced on the roster this late, it's hard to imagine how rough spring would have to be for him to not get the job. The Mets would like Josh Thole to get more seasoning in the minor leagues and Chris Coste seems bound to be his tutor there.

Poor Coste - being a Met is bad enough, being a minor league Met is just awful.

Other SoxandPhils stuck in New York were also discussing their departures from classy organizations this week. Chan Ho Park sounds generally bummed to be a Yankee:

Park said it was "too late" to accept the Phillies' offer. I think by the time he realized he couldn't do better than the Phillies' offer the Phillies already had signed Baez and Contreras and the Phillies no longer were interested.

"Philadelphia was the number one choice, and I had a tough time to leave there," Park said. "I'm mostly sad to leave Philadelphia, the teammates and fans were unbelievable. I had fun last year, good memories. That makes me sad. But this is the future and a good team and another chance."

Yeah, another chance to relieve his Rangers days - missing the playoffs with Alex Rodriguez.

Jason Bay, meanwhile, keeps talking about Boston. He says it was a mutual decision, but you know he's going to regret the fact that when his career is over, his only playoff experience will be his two years with the Red Sox:

"Would I have gone back [to Boston]? Yeah, I think so," he said. "But I'd be back on my terms. During the season I was part of the Red Sox, and once the offseason came I didn't consider myself part of the Red Sox. We kept in dialogue and they were a team on my list. I felt at that point I had a little more power, or at least it was going to be my decision what my direction was.

"I had teams on the list and I had my pluses and minuses, and Boston had its pluses because I'd been there and I’d understood how to play there."

Oh well. These guys were once beloved; now they're enemies. Hope they enjoy watching their former mates stomp all over their new teams.

I pity the fool

I'm really not sad or bitter that Jason Bay will be a Met next year.

I just feel sorry for him.

Yes, I'm in no position to feel bad for a guy who will be getting $66 million, but I can't understand this one.

Bay toiled in the organizations of the Expos, Mets, Padres and Pirates before unexpectedly being traded to the Red Sox to replace Manny Ramirez in 2008.

He seemed to thrive in his first winning environment. You'd think he'd want to win more, but instead, he signed with the Mets, a team that I guess could be competitive by the time his four-year deal expires.

The sad part here - for Bay, not the Red Sox - is that he could have stayed for a reasonable deal, but the Red Sox weren't going to wait around forever and simply changed plans. I think John Lackey and Mike Cameron will be do more to help the Red Sox run differential than Bay will do for the Mets.

So, J-Bay, thanks for the last year and a half. You were a true gamer and professional. I wish you the best (despite that doing so will get a poke in the ribs from Christine), but I know you're on a team that has as much of a chance as winning as the one you were on before you were traded to the Red Sox.

Oh, and don't worry about your next trip to Philadelphia. I'm sure the fans in left field will give you a nice warm welcome.

Exit stage left

The news today pertains to the fates of two of the SoxandPhils' leading men who probably have played their last games for the good guys.

Contract negotiations between the Red Sox and All-Star Jason Bay have become strained. Meanwhile, the Phillies didn't offer a contract to Clay Condrey, star of The Pen, who was a valuable piece of the 2008 bullpen.

Obviously, Bay is the more important news. He did an admirable job replacing Manny Ramirez's steroid-boosted bat in left field and exhibited nothing but class during his year and a half with the Red Sox. I would love for his tenure to continue for a few more years, but he doesn't strike me as the uber-elite player we should overpay for.

Hopefully, he goes to the Mets and becomes another sunken cost for them. Christine is rooting for a completely random team, such as the Mariners, to sign him. My only hope is that the Yankees don't sign him. Ultimately, I don't think he'll make a major difference for them, but I just don't want to hear all the crap about yet another reason why the Empire is the class of baseball because they have money to burn.

Speaking of players who have switched teams, last night Christine and I saw what happens in real life when a player moves on. While knocking off some last-minute items for Christmas at a local wine store, I glanced over to the discount rack and saw a bottle with someone's face on it labeled Schneider.

"Who's Schneider?" I said loud enough that the clerk asked if we needed help.

Upon closer inspection, it was the Phillies new backup catcher, Brian Schneider, and his Schneider Schardonnay, which benefits kids' sports programs. But because the bottle was from his Mets days, it was reduced from $13.99 to $9.99. {Um, I think it's more likely that it was discounted because who wants to buy a bottle of Schneider Schardonnay, regardless of team?}

We should have bought it to see how it compares to Manny Being Merlot. {In retrospect, Manny Being Merlot tasted a little steroid-y.}

Slinging sabermetrically

With the Cy Young awards going to the league's best pitchers, Zack Greinke and Tim Lincecum, instead of ones with gaudier win-loss records, statheads are cautiously celebrating that it appears sports writers are finally starting to look beyond conventional wisdom and gut feelings to use all the information available to make informed judgments.

As Fangraphs blogger Dave Cameron notes, it's too soon to say that these votes represent the end of the old school, but they do show signs of an evolution:

Today, the BBWAA took a pretty big step back towards credibility. It obviously isn't a wholesale change, and there are always going to be people resistant to any sort of change, but the shift is taking place. And it's a welcome occurrence.

And I do have a SoxandPhils point to these votes - besides a gratuitous mention that I correctly predicted Lincecum's win. This morning, Scott Lauber, using Greinke's awareness of modern statistics as a hook, noted that Cole Hamels wasn't as bad as he was perceived:

Hamels posted a 4.32 ERA in 32 regular-season starts, but according to The Hardball Times, his (Fielding Independent Pitching) was only 3.71, nearly identical to his 3.70 FIP in 2008. Obviously, Hamels was far better in 2008, posting a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts, allowing fewer hits (193 in 2008, 206 in 2009) and logging more innings (227.1 in 2008, 193.2 in 2009). But maybe, as Manuel and Dubee often have said, Hamels' stuff was nearly as good as it was in 2008. There were other factors that caused his demise.

Remembering all the grief Hamels took in recent months, you'd think this observation would be earth-shattering, but it has been pointed out by sabermetricians since the summer. Here's what David Golebiewski posted on Fangraphs back in July:

The 25 year-old changeup artist might have troubling surface numbers, but he’s arguably pitching better than he did during that magical 2008 season.

When I mentioned this to Christine this morning, she questioned why I kept saying he had a poor season. I admit, I fall into the trap of not looking at, or even understanding, the more sophisticated statistics.

I don't understand statistics, but I have a healthy respect for those who do. I appreciate what they're saying and understand that things that I think are true may not be so. Hopefully, sports writers, who should view considering new metrics as part of their job, are starting to have a similar attitude.

Red Sox: Despite the blaring headlines, I don't think it means anything that Jason Bay rejected the initial Red Sox offer, reportedly $60 million over four years, and will be able to take offers from other teams in a few hours. Bay's agent and GM Theo Epstein remain civil:

"Nothing will happen by day's end, but we'll keep talking," Bay's agent Joe Urbon said.

"It's not a surprise that a player that's gone this far wants to see what's out there," Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said by phone in Bay's regard, though Epstein declined comment on the team's talks with Bay.

David Ortiz, meanwhile, wants Bay back along with another player with power. Perhaps because he hasn't hit more than 30 homers in a season since 2007?

"I said that like a year ago and everybody was looking at me like I was a (expletive) clown. You know? I said we needed another 30-home run hitter. Everybody was talking trash. There you go. Now what?" he said.

He spoke today to promote his charity golf outing that will feature several Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Lowell, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and Terry Francona.

And Phils: Pedro Martinez, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard.

Mr. Congeniality

I don't quite understand the metrics involved, but this Fangraphs post lists the players whose 2009 season was closest to the average for all of baseball.

It's a list no superstar wants to be on, which is why I took some glee for Christine when I read No. 3 - Aaron Rowand. The smugness subsided when I got to No. 2 on the list, former MVP Jimmy Rollins.

I'm sure J-Roll isn't happy with the ranking, but I guess it's better than where he was in July when Jayson Stark picked him as the league's least valuable player.

At least he pulled himself up from dead weight to mediocre. Yeah!

Silver Sluggers: Chase Utley and Jason Bay were honored today for their batsmanship at their respective positions.

Tonight: Assuming there would be no major SoxandPhils news tonight, we attended a preview of Pirate Radio. It rocked. I won the tickets, and a couple of goodies, from a Philadelphia Inquirer contest.

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.

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?

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:

Scenic and scoreboard sights

As we watch Pedro Martinez officially become a SoxandPhil, we'll write about some of the outtakes from Sunday's game.

To the left is the back of the digital sign outside Citizens Bank Park. It needs a fresh coat of paint.

It's bad enough that this sign blocks an otherwise picturesque view of Center City, but it's downright embarrassing to have the World Champions' logo faded in front of the city's prime real estate.

I think they can can afford a couple cans of paint - especially with the money they're saving by sending Jamie Moyer to the bullpen.

We all know how ugly Sunday's game got after Shane Victorino's infamous ejection in the 7th inning. We got the sense that the scoreboard operators were purposely trying to soothe whomever was left in the stands.

We'd never seen Bongo Cam before. They played a surprisingly effectively calming island rhythm, and fans pretended to beat along.

Other than the half-naked old man, it was the only thing that distracted the fans from the mess on the field.

And Bongo Cam had several extended solos to give plenty of time for Renyel Pinto, who was replacing an injured pitcher, to warm up.

To the left is one of Christine's favorite scoreboard distractions. She likes the frog that seems to jump out of the Phillies' heads during the innings sponsored by the Philadelphia Zoo.

We can't decide whether Eric Bruntlett is terrified or disgusted by the little green critter.

Maybe that explains his poor season: He's afraid that if he hits the ball, an amphibian will suddenly appear.

Finally, I just liked this picture Christine snapped. If you look, it's a picture of the scoreboard showing a ball hit to left field during the Alumni Batting Challenge, so it's a picture of a scoreboard, in a scoreboard, in a scoreboard, in a scoreboard, etc.

Today's games: Pedro's pitches look sharp despite a mediocre start. He's faced 13 through three innings, giving up a run on four hits with four strikeouts. He's thrown 55 pitches. In the 4th, Phillies 8, Cubs 1.

Josh Beckett took a no-hitter into the 5th before giving up a home run to Carlos Guillen. Get ready to see Jason Bay and Mike Lowell on Bubba Burger's Who's Hot list. They each homered again. In the 7th, Red Sox 8, Tigers 1.

OK, I'll jinx it. Our teams are back on track to collide in October.

Best of plans

In the afternoon tilt - you know, the SoxandPhils game we could not watch because of work - Cliff Lee pitched another beauty, winning his home debut 3-1 against the Rockies. He went seven innings, giving up one run on six hits and a walk with nine strikeouts.

John Smoltz - in the game we should have been able to watch - did not make it out of the 4th, getting tagged for eight runs in a 13-4 blowout through the 8th, which means the dominance against the Yankees probably ends tonight.

I found this Tony Masarotti tidbit interesting:

According to one baseball source, the Sox had serious discussions with the Indians for both Martinez and starter Cliff Lee, at least until Cleveland wisely broke the tandem apart and effectively sold them off as condos. The point is that the Red Sox wanted a hitter and a pitcher, or, more importantly, they felt they needed both. In the upper corners of Fenway Park, the inhabitants know this team has holes.

Stupid Indians.

Lots of other news today. J.A. Happ is staying in the rotation. Kevin Youkilis started in left field because Jason Bay has a hamstring injury. Josh Reddick is back because Rocco Baldelli was DL'd. David Ortiz was going to talk about steroids this afternoon, but now he's going to do it tomorrow.

I know, kind of a weak post given everything that's going on, but it's been a rough night. I had to teach myself how to change a car battery (took longer than I thought) and then had to prepare the bathroom shower to be recaulked and the rest of the house to get new windows.

At least the chores kept me from having to watch this debacle against the Yankees.

Interesting: They just showed the clip of Pedro Martinez taking out Don Zimmer in the 2003 ALCS. Christine sighed as she realized he's her problem now.

SoxandPhils at the All-Star game

A combined 10 SoxandPhils were at the 80th All-Star game to determine whether the Red Sox or Phillies will have home field advantage in the World Series.

So far, it's tied at 3 in the 6th inning.

There are ample places to get the game's outcome and complete details. This is the only place that will distill all the SoxandPhils action. Here's a recap of the SoxandPhils at-bats and defensive plays (at least those completed before I shut down for the night):

Top 1st: Jason Bay singled with two on and one out. Unfortunately, he lost a chance at an RBI because his hit landed right at Shane Victorino, and no one wants to test his arm.

Bottom 1st: Chase Utley grounded out to first.

Bottom 2nd: With President Obama looking on from the broadcast booth, Raul Ibanez grounded out to second. Later, Shane Victorino singled, then scored the tying run (2-2). Obama said the Flyin' Hawaiian is a good guy who gave him some macadamia nuts in the clubhouse. Only Shane.

Bottom 3rd: Utley flew out to center leading off.

Top 4th: Bay flew out to right.

Bottom 4th: Ibanez popped out to third. Victorino struck out and couldn't get on after the catcher dropped the ball.

Top 5th: With speedy Carl Crawford on first, Ichiro Suzuki grounded one deep to Utley who spun and made the long throw to nail the lead runner. Excellent play. Risky, but since it worked, excellent.

We'll recap any other important details tomorrow (the worst day of the season - no baseball games at all).

Other news: It'll be a while before we learn who is MVP of the 2009 All-Star game, but the 1999 All-Star MVP, Pedro Martinez, has signed a contract with the Phillies, making him a SoxandPhil.

42-year-old virgin & hometown star going to St. Louis

I thought we were going to be disappointed today - mainly because no Phillie, besides the two who were certain to be voted on, is having a stand-out season. And, I thought nostalgia wouldn't be enough to put Tim Wakefield on the team.

I was wrong. Tim Wakefield, a Red Sox hero and two-time World Champion, is now an All-Star:

Wakefield got a standing ovation this afternoon when the Sox' All-Stars were announced at Fenway Park, and acknowledged the cheering crowd with a wave.

"That was pretty cool," said Wakefield. "It was phenomenal, it just shows how much the fans really care, not just about me but our players here. For them to give me the kind of ovation they gave me, it makes me feel very welcomed here and I've felt that way for a long time because the fans have been behind me since I've been here. Like I've always said, they’'e our 26th man on the roster -- I owe a lot of my success to them.

"I have a lot of emotions running through right now. It's a pretty proud moment for me and my family."

He'll be joined by starters Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia, reserve Kevin Youkilis, and pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon.

On the other side of the diamond, the Phillies will be able to match the Red Sox at 2B, LF and 1B: Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez were voted starters, and Charlie Manuel made just one indulgence pick: selecting St. Louis native Ryan Howard as one of four first basemen on the team.

"There's not many opportunities where you get to play in an All-Star Game in your hometown," said Howard, who grew up outside St. Louis. "I think everybody is definitely excited and can't wait for it."

Oh, and Shane Victorino could also make the team as an injury replacement for Ibanez or Carlos Beltran, or as the final fan selection. Don't let him get Pat Burrell'd. {When we started watching the selection show, I told Greg that I thought Victorino would be on the ballot for the 33rd man. Time for some voting this week.}

Managerial strategy: While Cholly chose just one Phillie, Joe Maddon is taking three Rays as reserves. When I noted that he didn't take any pitchers, Christine observed that he selected three Red Sox pitchers. On the NL pitching staff, there are no Phillies, but two Mets. We wonder whether Maddon and Manuel plan to blow out their oppositions' arms. The Rays weren't happy with the way Terry Francona used Scott Kazmir last year. {And let's not forget that Brad Lidge lost the All-Star game last year after he warmed up for about five innings. Cholly was similarly displeased with that move.}

Today's games: The Phillies completed a sweep of the All-Star-laden Mets 2-0, behind Joe Blanton's 7 1/3 shutout innings. Brad Lidge pretended it was 2008 and struck out the Mets in the top of the 9th on only 14 pitches. The Red Sox scored five in the 7th to beat the Mariners 8-4 and avoid an embarrassing sweep.

Personal: This is our first post on our new laptop. {Just a warning: I think Greg plans on live-blogging the All-Star game next week. Great. This is going to be just like a real game - when he needs a bathroom break or concession stand run at the ballpark, I have to keep score. I foresee something similar happening next Tuesday with the blog.}

A new American for Independence Day

Just in time for the Fourth of July, Jason Bay has become an American citizen.

He joined David Ortiz (last year) and the druggie and quitter Manny Ramirez (2004) as sluggers who converted to American while playing for the Red Sox in recent years.

The Red Sox are off tonight, but I hope he shows some token of support for his new country when the Red Sox take the field against the Mariners tomorrow.

Like always, J-Bay said all the right things:

Bay said "it's a pretty proud day for me." He said his wife and daughters are Americans.

The British Columbia native is the first Red Sox player to be naturalized since Dominican Republic-born David Ortiz was sworn in last summer in Fenway Park.

Bay said he's not denouncing being Canadian, "but I'm definitely proud to be an American."

Christine thinks he got married just for his green card. I'm pretty sure she was joking.

Tonight's game: J.A. Happ's great night was ruined by one inning from Ryan Madson. Happ gave up two runs in seven innings; Madson gave up three in one. Braves 5, Phillies 2.

When Madson was called upon to fill in for Brad Lidge earlier this year, I think he took the assignment literally and has been doing his best to match Lidge's 2009 performance. It's getting bad.

On a positive note, Happ got his first major-league hit, snapping an 0-20 mark. And that wasn't the biggest hitless streak erased by a Phillie tonight - Jimmy Rollins actually got two hits, boosting his season average to .209.

On a negative note, the Phillies' divisional lead is now mere percentage points over the idle Marlins. The Mets and Braves are also within two games of the Phillies. They open a series at home against the Mets tomorrow night.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Cleaning up yesterday's Tasch

In yesterday's post recapping our conversation about Jack Taschner's crappy performance and lack of a nickname, I forgot to say that it started with Christine lamenting, "Where's J.C. Romero?" when things started to turn bad.

"I dunno, off doing steroids," I snarkily replied.

Well, turns out Christine wasn't the only one missing J.C. for Sunday's game. While most reporters obsessed about moving Jimmy Rollins out of the leadoff spot, Scott Lauber focused on the Phillies playing a tight game without their best reliever of the past three seasons.

"That would have been J.C.'s role if he was here, definitely, without a doubt," Manuel said later, standing outside his office in Citizens Bank Park. "That's how we did it last year. That's what got us through to [closer Brad] Lidge."

[...]

"I gave up three base hits, and not one of them did I consider to be well struck," Taschner said. "It's just the way the game goes. I'm the one to blame for this one."

Somewhere, Romero must've felt responsible, too.

Red Sox: Dan Duquette defended his regime against the steroid accusations leveled by Lou Merloni. Their stories aren't entirely dissimilar; it's just a matter of interpreting whether the doctors were purely educating about the risks of steroids or how to do them safely. I don't want to be dismissive, but I'd be more concerned if it involved the current ownership.

I didn't like one answer because it's more implication of Manny Ramirez's Red Sox years:

On whether he was surprised by Manny Ramirez's suspension:

Duquette: "I was disappointed. I wasn't surprised."

Last night's game: I struggled to stay up as Jonathan Papelbon struck out the side to preserve the 4-3 win after starting the inning with a walk and a hit. Other than the time (and an injury to Dustin Pedroia, who wasn't playing shortstop, as first reported by the Globe), it was a pretty good game - solid start by Josh Beckett and another late clutch hit for Jason Bay.

Pat Burrell jumped out of the box when the crowd erupted in reaction to the Celtics playoff win.

With Hideki Okajima on the mound, much of the crowd started applauding for no reason that was evident on the field. Burrell, in fact, was confused enough that he stepped out of the batter's box and looked around.

Glen Davis's jumper at the buzzer had just gone in, and the Celtics had evened their series with Orlando.

"I didn't know if there was a big fight going on or did somebody run on the field," Burrell said. "Definitely, it was time to get out of the box. No idea.

"And then as soon as I thought about it, I said, 'Oh, it's probably hockey.' The home plate umpire said, 'I think it's basketball.'"

Sox seem to like their new digs

Ever since that strange sight of Red Sox mimicking snow angels on the grass at Yankee Stadium after completing their historic comeback in 2004, I've always considered New York a second home for Boston baseball.

I know it's an extremely small sample size (less than two games), but the Sox are settling in nicely to their new second home.

I didn't know last night's game was on ESPN until I went to bed around 11 p.m. The rain pushed it too late for me to watch anyway, but it looked like I missed a good one. The Red Sox scored a run in each of the first four and withstood one shaky inning by Jon Lester (three runs in the 5th) and the first run given up by Ramon Ramirez this year to win 6-4. Lester finished with 10 strikeouts in seven innings. Jason Bay and Mike Lowell homered, and David Ortiz had two doubles. I have a feeling that tonight is the tonight he is going to finally put one over a fence.

Christine put the over/under for last night's game to end by 1 a.m. I said 1 a.m. give or take 10 minutes, meaning from 12:50 to 1:10. It ended at 1:13.

Things got off to a good start tonight. They scored four runs in the first inning on an RBI single by Papi and a three-run homer by Jason Bay. It's now 4-3 in the 7th. Joba Chamberlain, who might have other things on his mind, couldn't make it out of the 6th.

Phillies: They beat the Cardinals 6-1 last night and are leading 7-3 in the 5th tonight.

Injuries: Reports on Rick Ankiel are good the day after he bent his neck while crashing into the wall. Cole Hamels is still on target to start Friday, but suddenly Chase Utley's status is questionable because his foot is still injured after being nailed by Mike Pelfrey last week. Like the Phillies, the Red Sox' leading MVP candidate was scratched today with injuries sustained by beanballs. Even in a AAA rehab start, Daisuke Matsuzaka labored, and then Jacoby Ellsbury left the game early tonight because of a tight hamstring.

Oh sheet - times two

Many pooh-poohed the notion that Chase Utley's World Series potty mouth would be a bad influence on the youth of Philadelphia. Turns out they were right. But Utley didn't taint youngsters - he tainted Larry Andersen.

The Phillies were muddling through another zombie-like game. We listened on the radio because the television broadcast was pre-empted. Christine sighed a lot.

But in the 9th, trailing 3-0, the Phillies woke up and took the lead on Shane Victorino's grand slam. I had stepped out of the room, but Christine swears she heard L.A. say "oh shit" on the air before the ball landed in the seats. When I returned, I heard L.A. say "holy cow," but I bet Christine heard correctly. WWHS? (What would Harry say?) The 7-3 win gave Clay Condrey his team-leading third win of the season. Cole who?

Big comeback win over the first place Marlins. Let's hope this is the start of something.

I wonder if Jerry Remy echoed Andersen tonight when Jason Bay hit a two-run homer off Mariano Rivera to tie it in the bottom of the 9th. Manny who? I'm an old fogie, so I'm turning in before this one ends. Hope to have more good news tomorrow.

Seems like old times

We got to watch both SoxandPhils games today. With the Red Sox beating the Angels and the Phillies winning out West, it was a little reminiscent of last year's playoffs.

Red Sox: Forget about Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka - Josh Beckett's No. 2 will be Brad Penny this year, just like it's the Florida Marlins from 2001 to 2004. OK, Penny's days of dominance are over, but I'll take three runs over six innings every time from him.

The bats showed some life with two homers from Jason Bay and one from Mike Lowell, which accounted for all the runs in the 5-4 win.

Jonathan Papelbon was summoned for a four-out save. He made it a little too nerve-wracking in the 9th, giving up a run and walking the bases loaded before ending the much-needed win. Let's hope Josh Beckett makes like the Easter Bunny tomorrow afternoon and hops out of Anaheim with the Sox back at .500.

Phillies: Brett Myers was shaky, but the Phils managed an 8-4 win over the Rockies. Christine thinks he needs to gain back the weight to start pitching better. In his first game as a starter, Chris Coste nearly got Charlie Manuel to blow a gasket by dropping a pop-up, but he recovered to bare hand the ball before it hit the ground.

They're alive: All the starting position players had a hit - hopefully not just a Coors Field mirage.

Two coin flips away

Last night's Angels-Red Sox match-up is a prime example why I still follow this game.

After Jon Lester shut down the Angels for seven innings - 14 goose eggs for the ace in the series - Justin Masterson allowed the Angels to tie it up with two runs in the 8th.

Before 2004, I might have turned off the TV if that happened. Now, it's just a matter of how they're going to pull it out.

They survived a scare in the top of the 9th, when the Angels had a man on third with one out. Erick Ayber missed a bunt, and Jason Varitek chased Reggie Willits back to third, narrowly tagging him before he reached the base. Of course, controversy followed because after the lunging tag, the ball fell out of the captain's glove. No matter, the out stood.

In the bottom of the 9th, with one out Jason (Manny who?) Bay blooped one to right that Willits couldn't get; it bounced in the stands for a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jed Lowrie roped a hit to win the game 3-2, end the series and etch his name in Red Sox playoff lore. It was nice symmetry that Lester and Lowrie did their post-game news conference together.

With the win, the showdown for the American League championship is set between the Eastern Division champion Tampa Rays and the Wild Card challenger Red Sox. Given the competitiveness of each team and their history of bad blood, I expect a long, hard-fought series. It's pretty much a coin flip between the Rays and Red Sox, and the Phillies and Dodgers.

Each team left standing has a 50 percent chance of going to the World Series. We're two coin flips away - a one in four shot - from a SoxandPhils World Series.

No more getting ahead of ourselves. We have to first concentrate on beating the Rays, who I never dismissed, and the Dodgers.

To end on a serious note. Our country is in rough economic times. A new report shows that 25 of the wealthiest men in America are now out of work ... but enough about the New York Yankees!

I heard that this weekend from Big Joe Henry and just kept forgetting to post it.

{I'm sure you're all as amused as I was. Sad to say, Greg actually laughed out loud. Sigh.}

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

J.D. unfazed by rally monkey and K-Rod

There are few things as uplifting as a close win in playoff baseball and few things as crushing as a close loss.

Last night the difference between the two was razor thin until J.D. Drew - who has been hurt and homerless since July 26 - homered in the 9th off Francisco Rodriguez, who some think is the best closer in baseball based on his record saves total this year. Red Sox 7, Angels 5.

He's good, but he's a notch below Jonathan Papelbon, who got the win on only 21 pitches in two innings of perfect baseball. He did allow an inherited runner to score, but you can't expect Chone Figgins to be stranded when he leads off with a triple. Christine thinks K-Rod, who wants $75 million on the market this winter, will fit in nicely in the Mets bullpen.

I predicted a strong outing from Daisuke Matsuzaka. I was wrong. He needed 108 pitches to muddle through five innings, giving up three runs, eight hits and three walks. Thankfully, there's an off day for Papelbon to rest up to close it out for Josh Beckett on Sunday night.

Do you think Jason Bay is happy to be out of Pittsburgh? A big three-run homer in the first and a 3-5 night for the man who we're often reminded is no Manny Ramirez. Drew also had a three-hit night.

So after two games, the Red Sox and Phillies each stand five wins away from the World Series I both crave and dread. Each team has to finish off business in Round 1 and then get by a pair of tough opponents, likely the Rays and Dodgers, who are attempting to sweep their series as well. It could be the first time all four divisional series end 3-0.

Of the four, the Phillies have the first crack at ending their series against the Brewers at 6:37 tonight. We'll check in afterward.

A good sign?: I had a dream that I turned on the Phillies game in the first inning tonight and they were winning 1-0. I turned away for a minute and suddenly it was 8-0. I'm not sure if I've ever had a dream about a game before, especially one so specific about the score, the inning and what I was doing.

And I've had this scene from Wayne's World stuck in my head for the past two days. I keep hearing Alice Cooper's pronunciation of "mill-e-wah-que."

Wayne Campbell: So, do you come to Milwaukee often?
Alice Cooper: Well, I'm a regular visitor here, but Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. The French missionaries and explorers began visiting here in the late 16th century.
Pete: Hey, isn't "Milwaukee" an Indian name?
Alice Cooper: Yes, Pete, it is. In fact , it's pronounced "mill-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for "the good land."
Wayne Campbell: I was not aware of that.

I hope the Phillies visit to "mill-e-wah-que" is short and sweet.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Sweep?

This morning, contemplating the pair of SoxandPhils Game 1 wins, I was very proud of myself. I was pleased with each victory, but not getting ahead of myself.

Tonight, however, after Shane Victorino's grand slam off CC Sabathia, I looked at Christine and said "Sweep?"

"Looks that way," she said.

Here are the last 24 hours of Red Sox and Phillies baseball:

Maybe it was sitting in the rain for a few hours on Wednesday. Maybe I'm just getting old. But I was conking out before midnight with the Sox winning 2-1 in the 7th.

I saw enough from Jon Lester to know the game was in hand once Jason Bay hit a two-run homer in his playoff debut that caused John Lackey to go nuts and lash out at his offense.

He's no Jon Lester. The Angels kept getting on base, six hits, a walk and an error in seven innings, but Lester never lost his cool and kept stranding them, except for an unearned run in the 3rd. He wasn't even bothered that his mates couldn't score until the 6th inning. Every time I think I'm not going to underestimate Lester anymore, he raises expectations. These next few weeks will be harder if Josh Beckett's unable to go, but Lester's certainly a capable replacement. Red Sox 4, Angels 1.

Jacoby Ellsbury picked up from last October, going 3-5 with a run, RBI and two stolen bases. Jonathan Papelbon gave up a hit but somehow still struck out the side needing only 13 pitches. I hope Brad Lidge was watching. {I hope Brad Lidge was sleeping. That game ended too late.}

Last year, in the AL Championship Series, everyone thought the Indians, up 3-1, would seal the deal because Sabathia and Fausto Carmona were lined up to finish us off.

This year, Sabathia was unstoppable for the Brewers, and many were writing off the Phillies in Game 2 because of him. Well, the clock struck midnight on his Cinderella season, and Victorino hit a grand slam to cap off a five-run 2nd inning marked by CC's wildness and a nine-pitch at bat by Brett Myers, who walked to keep the inning alive and make the Hawaiian Punch possible. Phillies 5, Brewers 2.

Myers, who later had a 10-pitch at-bat and singled in another inning, didn't take a back seat to Cole Hamels the night after the lefty became the unquestioned ace of the staff. Myers gave up two runs on three walks and two hits with four strikeouts over seven innings.

Lidge - maybe he was watching Papelbon? - rebounded from Wednesday's 35-pitch outing to post a clean 9th on 12 pitches.

Jayson Werth had two hits including a double to start the scoring in the 2nd; Pedro Feliz knocked him in with a double. Atop the order, Jimmy Rollins and Victorino went 5-9. It wasn't all good tonight, as the bats still aren't clicking, leaving 10 men on base. The heart of the order, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell, went 0-10 with seven strikeouts. They have to bust out sometime. Right?

Music: We've been getting a lot of queries about Jayson Werth's intro song. Being a hair metal aficionado, it's one I can answer: Sammy Hagar's Heavy Metal. Rock on.

[Photo credits: Associated Press]