Simpson-metrics

Christine and I actually had a few minutes last night after Trent went to bed and before we conked out ourselves.

We played one of the Simpsons episodes on the DVR: MoneyBART, a belated look at baseball's statistical development. Great epsidoe. First, I love that Marge tied in the classic 1992 episode by questioning Mike Scioscia on his radiation poisoning.

(By the way, the last guest star of that episode to retire was Ken Griffey Jr. last season. I know the words to the parody in that episode, changing Talkin' Baseball to Talkin' Softball. It's one of the few songs for which I know all the lyrics.)

Then, there were a couple knocks at members of the Red Sox organization. Lisa included Terry Francona in a list of names that she thought were women's, and Bill James popped up to boast that he made baseball as dull as doing your taxes.

There was just one Phillies reference - a gratuitous knock at its fans. Homer said the last time he was at a baseball game, he got tased after running on the field. Yeah, Philly's had some incidents, but it's not the only place with moronic fans who run on the field.

The end of the line for a legend

I read the news with my own eyes, but I could not believe it. The Washington Nationals released Eric Bruntlett.

Funny, when we were wondering what the Phillies would do to replace Jimmy Rollins, I thought they might make a play for the guy who turned an unassisted triple play and scored the clinching run in the last game of the 2008 World Series. It's too bad the Nats didn't give him the boot before J-Roll was just about ready to come back.

Of course, the bearded Bruntlett isn't the only legend saying goodbye today. After 22 years, Ken Griffey Jr., The Kid, who is now 40 years old, has retired. He's neither Sox nor Phil, but I'm sad. It's a bit of my childhood gone. I'll never forget opening a pack of the debut edition of Upper Deck and getting the prized first card of the set. Upper Deck was a little pricey, even in 1989. I didn't buy many packs, and I wasn't expecting to get that trophy.

In other news, before we completely turn the page on May, Big Papi can take a bow for winning AL player of the month. He is joined by teammate Jon Lester, AL pitcher of the month.

Today's games: The Phillies were nice enough to play in the afternoon so that we didn't have to watch them lose 2-1 to the Braves, which completed the sweep and opened a 2.5-game lead over the Phormerly Phightin' Phils.

In 6.2 innings, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up 10 hits, but incredibly didn't walk anybody. In the 7th, Red Sox 4, A's 3. Mr. May hit a two-run homer and a double.

The Flyers and the Blackhawks are tied 1-1 in the 2nd period.

Travesty: A bad call by umpire Jim Joyce cost Armando Galarraga of the Tigers a perfect game. I'm in shock. Former Phillies prospect Jason Donald was credited with the hit.

[Photo credit: Hollywoodcollectibles.com]

Somehow, the bullpen didn't blow it

I'm hoping that the Phillies have one of their patented offensive explosions on Wednesday because the back end of this bullpen is getting a little beat. Tom Gordon and Brad Lidge made it interesting in the 8th and 9th innings tonight, but they managed to get out of their respective innings with minimal damage, giving the team a 3-2 victory over the Reds.

Neither Gordon nor Lidge was sharp tonight. Gordon allowed a lead-off triple, which scored on a sacrifice fly, before facing pinch-hitter Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey came out to a nice ovation from the fans but didn't hit No. 600, as he walked on four pitches. Flash then managed to get out the next two batters. Lidge also faced only five batters, but it felt like a lot more - maybe because of his 20 pitches, only nine were strikes.

Adam Eaton pitched well again, his third good start in a row. Good thing too, considering that Kris Benson can't stay healthy.

Chase Utley continued his hot streak by going 2-for-3 with a walk, a RBI and a run. Baseball's infatuation with the second baseman is reaching new levels every day; I've run out of adjectives to describe his play right now. He continues to lead the NL in all-star voting and is second in baseball behind only David Ortiz. (Theo Epstein swears that Ortiz will be OK, but he'll still be out for at least two to three weeks and won't be playing in the Philadelphia series.)

[I hadn't considered that aspect of his injury.]

But come on, Phillies fans, where's the ballot-box stuffing for Pat Burrell? He added another two RBIs tonight with his 6th inning home run. He continues to rank sixth in outfield voting, trailing undeserving players like Griffey and his lofty .255 batting average, non-home-plate-touching cheater Matt Holliday, and whiny, unoriginal Met Carlos Beltran. Show Pat the Bat some love (eww, not like that) and throw some votes his way. (Josh Hamilton, too. I'm a sucker for a good comeback story like his.)

The Phillies lead in the division is now 2.5 games, after the Braves came back to beat the Marlins.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox also staged a comeback tonight to beat the Rays 7-4. The Sox now trail in the division by only half a game and are 22-5 at home this year. Which means they're 14-20 on the road. So two weeks from now, there might be some pretty spirited conversations and blogging going on around here. We counted out to the possible starting pitchers - Moyer, Kendrick and Eaton vs. Lester, Colon and Wakefield. Well, it's not as bad as some past pitching match-ups that we've been witness to. Check back later in the week as we reminisce over the last 10 years of Phillies-Red Sox interleague games.

The march toward 600 begins ...

Finally, that's over with.

Manny Ramirez has become the first Red Sox since Ted Williams to hit 500 home runs.

Congrats, Manny.

I don't always approve of your antics, but I know you're the greatest Red Sox left fielder. (Of my generation, anyway).

The Splendid Splinter and Carl Yastrzemski are waiting for you in Cooperstown.

Overshadowed by the Manny show, the Red Sox beat the Orioles 6-3.

Before Manny hit No. 500 tonight, Ken Griffey Jr. hit No. 599 this afternoon. Christine is hoping 600 comes tomorrow because on Monday the Reds come to Philly, and she doesn't want to spend the rest of the season watching Griffey's milestone homer fly out of Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies return to first place was short-lived as Cole Hamels is trying to become the most worrisome member of the Phillies rotation now that it appears Brett Myers and Adam Eaton are pitching decently. Marlins 7, Phillies 3. Christine is kicking herself for not talking a walk to reverse jinx a big inning.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]