Sox don't ruin Nick Adenhart memorial

Even though the Red Sox fell to 1-3 and now have sole possession of last place, last night's 6-3 loss wasn't one I mind terribly because it was the first game for the Angels since Nick Adenhart was killed.

Jered Weaver, who probably figured on pitching alongside Adenhart for the next several years, paid tribute to his fallen comrade with a brilliant 6 2/3 innings, giving up an unearned run and striking out eight.

The new Red Sox battery of Tim Wakefield and George Kottaras struggled for a bit before settling down to keep it a 3-1 game until I turned in. I expected a comeback, but I gather the bats stayed dormant and Justin Masterson got shelled.

Today: The Sox are on Fox. Brad Penny makes his debut with hopes of turning around what has been a poor first week for the SoxandPhils. The Phillies play tonight in Colorado. They still haven't officially DL'd Carlos Ruiz, and it looks like we'll be wondering for awhile whether Cole Hamels arm is right. I have a feeling that unfortunately this could be a season-long debate.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Other than the weather, not a very good day for baseball

Where to start?

I guess with the biggest name: Cole Hamels made his 2009 debut. He got shelled - seven runs on 11 hits and a walk in 3 2/2 innings in a 10-3 loss to the Rockies. The beat writers are debating where this ranks among his worst starts ever. Sports talk mused whether it's officially time to panic in Philly. All I can say is that the title defense isn't off to a smooth start.

And oh yeah, Lou Marson may be called up because Carlos Ruiz left the game with an oblique strain.

Christine and I had Good Friday off, but we couldn't catch the game because of car troubles. Not sure it was so bad of a thing.

Rings: In case you forgot, these Phillies were champions a year ago. Our friend, Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump, took some time from watching a muppet talk about soccer to attend the ring ceremony this week. Here are his videos, and here are his pictures.

Red Sox: The team is preparing for a tougher than usual game - the first game for the Angels since the death of Nick Adenhart. Terry Francona said, "We'll be very respectful and we'll try to compete." We just found out MLB Extra Innings is having a free preview so I may be able to catch some of what will be a very emotional night.

Dice-K picks up where he left off

I told myself I would be more patient with Daisuke Matsuzaka this year. His overall work is better than it seems despite his inconsistent performances that are usually accompanied by lots of walks, high pitch counts and early exits.

I also convinced myself that this would be the year he pulls it all together and dominates the league to the point that even critics wouldn't question the $100 million the Sox spent for his services.

That lasted until about 2:45 today when I checked the score and saw 3-0 Rays in the 3rd. Dice ended up surrendering four runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. The Sox scored a run in each of the 6th, 8th and 9th innings, making a game of it, but ultimately falling to the AL East champs, 4-3.

Christine's kicking herself for picking the Red Sox over the Rays. I think she knows better than to judge in April how teams will finish in October.

Moment of silence: Angels uber prospect Nick Adenhart was killed after a car accident this morning. The Angels canceled today's game; no word about their impending series with the Red Sox. Nick Cafardo struggled to find a local connection to the tragedy:

It was hard to find a link with Adenhart from any members of the Rays or Red Sox. One was Sox first base coach Tim Bogar, who was a coach on the 2006 Futures Game team that Adenhart pitched for.

"What a tragedy," said Rays senior adviser Don Zimmer. "It's just hits you hard when you hear a young man with so much talent being taken away from us. I hadn't seen much of him but I was told he was a young kid who had a tremendous future. I feel so badly for his family."

Finally: We bought a Sunday subscription to the Philadelphia Inquirer because the paper had a promotion offering Phillies newspaper covers commemorating the '80 and '08 World Championships. After more than a month, they finally arrived today.