Sunday with Sinatra

Although there's little deviation among game times for the Phillies, I can never remember when they're on or when the pregame begins. Often, I flip on 1210 way too early, and I'm greeted by a Frank Sinatra staple such as Love and Marriage or New York, New York. (Besides being a conservative talk show station, 1210 plays Phillies games and Frank Sinatra - some things in life can't be explained.)

I was away from the radio today, but when I checked in on the Red Sox, I was greeted by a blurb, Sunday Morning Sinatra, which said it was so quiet in the Red Sox clubhouse that Mark Kotsay had Frank's tunes playing. If he ever becomes a SoxandPhil, he'll love listening to 1210.

It is quiet. Pedro pitched some bullpen, and Jim Salisbury has a long read on how he became a Phillie.

Last night, the Phillies were rained out. Christine and I weren't in Florida, but took a drive for some barbecue and did not get wet.

Today, the Blue Jays and Roy Halladay lead the Red Sox and Jon Lester, 2-1 in the 6th. The Phillies lead the Marlins 4-0 in the 5th.

We're getting closer ...

Players are stirring, reporters have started writing again and a whole mess of chewing gum, T-shirts and baseballs will soon depart from Philadelphia to Clearwater. All that's missing is Jimmy Rollins dissing on the Mets. But J-Roll, who did a conference call on the World Baseball Classic, wasn't interested in talking about the past:

"Being on the same team, you actually get to see and admire what a guy is like when you're in the same clubhouse," said Rollins, who will play for Team USA next month in the WBC. "You're not representing New York or Philadelphia. It doesn't matter who the guy on your left or right is. It's just Team USA. So, as for the Mets, that has nothing to do with the World Baseball Classic. I'll address that in spring training."

C'mon, J-Roll, I'm dying here. Give me something to work with.

Not even Theo Epstein gave me anything to chew on in a radio interview (not that he ever provides good blog fodder).

The only thing we learned today is one possible reason the Red Sox unexpectedly signed Brad Wilkerson - our fifth outfielder/backup first baseman, Mark Kotsay, needs back surgery and will miss at least one month. The season is ruined.

{As for me, I'm getting desperate for baseball to start. I am absolutely not a Led Zeppelin fan, but I listened to all 8 minutes and 28 seconds of Kashmir on the ride home from work, just because it reminded me of being at the ballpark.}

When will it end??

We love how Charlie Manuel can burn through his bench players early in the game. So imagine my delight when Carlos Ruiz ended up playing third base in the top of the 9th, so that Cholly could save his last extra man, Eric Bruntlett, to use as a pinch hitter, if needed, in the bottom half of the inning. Thankfully, Brad Lidge pitched a 1-2-3 inning, with no balls being hit to Ruiz.

Bottom half of the inning, with two outs and Jayson Werth on first, Bruntlett was needed and smacked in the tying run.

And that's where we still stand. Philles 7, Mets 7. In the 13th inning. Almost all players from both teams have been used. I can't even begin to recap this marathon: the huge comeback, all the hits, all the men left on base, the great defense, the poor starting pitching. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to leave this entry incomplete, as I'm struggling just to stay up and watch the game, let alone write about it. Phils are coming to bat now at 12:16 a.m. Let's win this now.

12:30 a.m. update: Phils win! First place! Chris Coste finally put this one to bed, 8-7 final. Sorry, it would take hours to break down this game, and I won't ever attempt to do it. If you missed it - Greg - you're just out of luck. Todd Zolecki has a nice roundup of all the craziness.

(Small note: Very annoying that Tom McCarthy kept talking about Aaron Heilman's history "here at Shea Stadium." Your true colors are showing, T-Mac.)

Red Sox: I can offer no insights into this game. They beat the Yankees 7-3. Tim Wakefield earned the win in his return from the DL, and Jonathan Papelbon picked up a save. The fantasy team thanks you for your efforts, Papelbon.

In off-the-field news, the Sox picked up Mark Kotsay from the Braves, pending a physical, to fill in for the injured J.D. Drew.