Not a good week for SoxandPhils old goats

First, there were the reports that Pedro Martinez will not pitch this year. He hasn't retired, but I doubt he will be able to come back again.

Then, Jamie Moyer left Tuesday's start with an injury. There's a good chance he'll need Tommy John surgery. If any 47-year-old can return from Tommy John surgery, it's J-Moy. And, he's hopeful that he can pitch again this year. But you can't help but think that this is the end of a remarkable career.

Then, Moyer's former teammate, Tim Wakefield, who is a Sox, but never been a Phil, was sent to the bullpen as Josh Beckett came back.

Finally, as I was typing this, we watched former SoxandPhil and now Brave Billy Wagner blow a save against the Marlins. So it's not all bad tonight, especially because the Phillies beat the Rockies 6-0. The Red Sox and the Mariners are tied at 1-1 in the 4th.

Fool one night, genius the next

Last night I couldn't believe Charlie Manuel left Joe Blanton in to hit with the bases loaded in the 7th inning of a 1-1 game. It was no shocker that the move backfired and cost the Phillies the game. I knew Blanton should have been lifted without knowing he had such dramatic splits this year: an OPS of about .700 for his first 75 pitches, but nearly 1.200 after that.

Somewhere, Grady Little would be proud. In a completely unrelated note, Pedro Martinez will not pitch in 2010 but has not retired.

Given the Blanton experience, I was a little surprised to see Cole Hamels lifted after throwing 97 pitches in eight shutout innings today. (I was at work and not watching the game, so I didn't know it was very hot in St. Louis.) But no worries this time: The Phillies bullpen finished the one-hitter and the bats finally scored two runs in the 11th inning to beat the Cardinals 2-0, averting the sweep.

In the 2nd, the Red Sox and Mariners are scoreless.

Breaking news: Milt Thompson has been fired as hitting coach.

Former friends and current competitors

Between the Giants playing for their playoff lives on Monday Night Football and a couple of unexpected errands, I'm going to be quick tonight.

It caught my eye that several former SoxandPhils have recently signed or are about to sign contracts - probably because the stories were lined up consecutively on ESPN.com: Scott Rolen restructured his deal with the Reds, Coco Crisp may sign with the A's, and Darren Oliver (how is he still pitching?) may sign with the Rangers.

Also, there is talk that a true SoxandPhil, Pedro Martinez, is under consideration by the Mets. Ha! It's not a good day for the Mets - as Rob Neyer points out, they can't get players to accept their millions despite no evidence of any interest from another team.

The Yankees, however, have no such problem and have to pay more than $25 million in payroll tax - the only team to exceed the threshold. In fact, since the tax was created, the Yankees have paid more than 90 percent of the $190 million assessed. That lonely trophy sure was expensive.

Some more deja vu

When the Red Sox trailed the 2004 ALCS 0-3, there was a feeling that the Yankees should finish off the sweep because once the Red Sox started winning, they would not stop.

Anybody getting a similar vibe from the Phillies after they held on to an 8-6 win last night to stave off elimination and send the series back to New York?

Yesterday, I heard Jayson Stark comparing these Phillies to the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox, which are two of 11 teams, according to David Murphy, to overcome 3-1 deficits in the playoffs.

J-Roll used an interesting analogy in this separate piece by Stark:

Maybe 24 hours from now, in a stadium up the Turnpike, the Yankees will find a way to kill this team off. But if we learned anything from Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, it won't be easy. Just ask the leadoff man.

"How hard is it to kill this team? Hopefully it's like trying to run over an armadillo," said Jimmy Rollins, after his team had lived to play another ballgame. "Just roll up and put our shells on. And after the car goes over us, we unfold and walk away."

Yesterday, everything seemed so bleak for those of us rooting for the Phillies, against the Yankees or both. I didn't concede, but struggled to remain positive even though the Red Sox have mounted similar comebacks from 1-3 holes three times in the last six postseasons, hence the feeling that I've been here before.

In 2004, I conceded after the Game 3 drubbing, but my friend talked me off the ledge by pointing out the pitching was lined up (Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling) to force a Game 7, which is basically a coin toss.

I was more confident in 2007, especially because we had a dominant Josh Beckett going in Game 5 and then home field advantage for Games 6 and 7.

Last year, I was nervous until we won Game 6. I thought there was no way the Red Sox would come back and force a Game 7 just to lose it - especially given their recent comebacks, Jon Lester was starting, and the Phillies were waiting for their blogmates in the World Series.

I was wrong.

Despite last year's example, I'm using similar logic for the Phillies. If Pedro Martinez can work his magic and the Phillies bats remember they're an elite offense against an old roider on short rest, there's no reason this series doesn't go seven games. If there is a Game 7, it will be all hands on deck and basically even odds whether good or evil prevails. But in this scenario, evil has a track record of choking, so there may be some intangible advantage for the champs.

Unless Cole Hamels really has quit.

Speaking of quitting: There's no quit-orino in Shane Victorino. He says he's playing tomorrow. I don't doubt it, especially given his reaction to being removed in the 8th inning last night - a truly funny moment. Great line about Shane by Mitch Williams today: "He won't build you a rocket, but he'll be the first one on it. He just wants to play."

Phinally: Johnny Damon is a jackass. I heard him say that this World Series is the highlight of his career. Good, value blowing a 3-1 lead more than being part of one of the most notable championships ever. I only mention to contrast what a class act Pedro Martinez is. He's a true SoxandPhil ... and 'Spo:

On whether it would surprise him to know Red Sox fans are pulling for him to beat the Yankees: "No, it wouldn't. It wouldn't surprise me at all. I know that they don't like the Yankees to win, not even in Nintendo games. And knowing that I am part of Boston, I consider myself a Bostonian, as well, too, I've been a Montrealer, a Bostonian, and now a New Yorker, and somehow, I might become a Philadelphian now. But I've only been there for a short period. It's something that's a work in progress. I'm pretty sure that every Boston fan out there can feel proud that I'm going to try to beat the Yankees, and I'm going to give just the same effort I always did for them. They're special fans, and they will always have my respect."

Thank you Pedro. Give 'em hell tomorrow.

[Photo credit: wlarmadillo.com]

It's Cliff Lee's world, we're just living in it

I used a similar title after Game 1 of last year's World Series about Cole Hamels, who has now officially been supplanted as the Phillies ace by Clifton Phifer Lee.

Lee's great night (complete game, 10 strikeouts) against the Yankees has been well-documented. It was a thing of beauty - especially against the Yankees, whose fans were surely taking the defending champs lightly.

Last year, we enjoyed watching Cole dominate the playoffs as Josh Beckett did the year before. Now, it's Cliff Lee's time. Hopefully, he can repeat either Beckett's World Series (he was used just once as the Red Sox swept) or Hamels (started Games 1 and 5 in the 4-1 win series win).

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Last night is over. Today is a new day and it's time to see whether Pedro Martinez (who used to own the universe) can follow up yesterday's rambling, but amusing, press conference with a virtuoso performance like he had against the Dodgers in the NLCS.

As a Red Sox fan, I've enjoyed many Pedro starts in which his opponents had no chance - it was just a matter of how few hits and many strikeouts he would get.

But also as a Red Sox fan, I've sat through some of the later-year Pedro starts where you wondered if he would last through three innings.

Through five, it's been closer to the former Pedro than the latter Pedro. He's allowed one run, a solo home run to Mark Teixeira, on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Unfortunately, A.J. Burnett, who I thought would be even more of a crapshoot than Pedro, is matching him. In the middle of the 6th, it's tied 1-1.

Look back at 2008: Christine and I took a look back at our experience during the first half of Game 5 as we headed back to watch the finale. I'd tell you how it turns out, but that's not posted until tomorrow's look back.

[Photo credit: US Presswire]

Bring on the Yankees, or preferably the Angels

{Wooooooooooooo! I'll let Greg take over now.}

Cole Hamels didn't earn a cupcake tonight, but his mates deserve a tray of them for beating the Dodgers 10-4 to clinch their second consecutive World Series appearance.

It's late. I'm catching a cold. We'll celebrate tomorrow.

Christine is in disbelief. She says I can't stop writing this blog because of the team's success during the past two years.

Bring on the Yankees. But I wouldn't object to seeing the Angels wipe out the Yankees in epic fashion.

Other news: Before the game, Pedro Martinez wouldn't be baited into talking about the possibility of pitching against his old nemesis:

I (Globe reporter Peter Abraham) tried to engage Pedro in some "what about facing the Yankees" talk yesterday after he threw a bullpen at Citizens Bank Park. But he would have none of it. "I know what you're trying to do," he said with a smile. "Not yet."

And Tim Wakefield's surgery was successful.

Look back at 2008: Christine summed up her feelings on the eve of the World Series. She dropped a hint for a Christmas gift. Usually, I'm good with things like that, but I dropped the ball. We bought one later, but we can't remember exactly when. Christine thinks it was at our first game of the year on May 2, but there's no record of it on the blog.

[Photo credit: Treetshop.com]

A cookie for J-Roll

Entering the 9th inning last night, the Phillies trailed the Dodgers 4-3 and Christine was getting cranky at the prospect that the Phillies might actually be tested in a playoff series.

She kept flashing her fingers, trying to illustrate to me the difference between being up 3-1 and tied at 2 in a seven-game set. As if I didn't live through the Red Sox coming back from 0-3 against the Yankees in 2004.

After Raul Ibanez grounded out, the announcers said pinch-hitter Matt Stairs had one thing on his mind.

"Cheese," I said. "A big wheel of cheddar."

After he walked, and Carlos Ruiz got hit by a pitch, Christine and I started "bribing" Phillies with treats if they'd come through.

We tempted pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs with a cheesecake - we once read a gossip item about him being spotted at our local Cheesecake Factory. But he lined out.

When Jimmy Rollins stepped up, Christine offered a chocolate chip cookie. With nuts. For no particular reason.

"I just think J-Roll would like chocolate chip cookies," she said.

We all know he earned his treat with a game-winning double, putting the Phillies in position to clinch their second straight National League Championship tomorrow night. (If Cole Hamels comes through, there is a cupcake in it for him.)

Phil Sheridan also invoked snack treats when describing the improbable comeback:

The Phillies were down to their last out, their last two strikes, last night. Broxton, who looks like Paul Bunyan's great-grandson, only meaner, was throwing 100-mile-an-hour heat. Rollins, who is about the size of a midnight snack for Broxton, wagged his bat as if daring the big guy to bring it on.

Well, we bought a chocolate chip cookie tonight for J-Roll, but Christine decided it would probably cause awkwardness, if not involve police, if we showed up at the shortstop's house bearing a solitary cookie, so she ate it in his honor. Tasty.

I had a slice of cheesecake - symbolizing the piece Dobbs didn't get because he didn't deliver.

Look back at 2008: Nothing much happened on this date, so we'll look back to 2004 because today is the fifth anniversary of us toppling the Empire:

Red Sox fans will forever remember it as their day of redemption, the victory that made the deep, personal investment of time and emotion through so many
seasons worthwhile at last.

Pedro Martinez doesn't know whether the 2009 Phillies or 2004 Red Sox are the better team:

This team maybe has a little bit of an edge on that team because there's more talent, probably, overall. When you combine everything that we have — the pitching, the relieving, all that — it seems to be more of a package. But I don't know. This team is a little bit quieter than in '04. In '04, we were a whole bunch of characters that were really loud. There was a lot of noise in that clubhouse.

[Photo credits: cookie - upontop.org, cheesecake - davidscookies.com]

Fresh coat of paint

Too often we focus on what could be instead of realizing the good things around us.

I'm guilty of this all the time, and I think many Phillies fans are doing so after yesterday's 2-1 loss.

Yes, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but it's not the end of the world. Cue the big man:

While disappointed, (Ryan) Howard kept an even temperament. That's a reason for his success - he doesn't allow his emotions to get the better of him.

"I am not going say it was a heartbreaking loss because a loss is a loss," he said. "We're still very confident, and we're now going back home."

I know the instinct is to say that Pedro Martinez's masterpiece should have yielded a win, sending the Phillies home with a 2-0 lead and in excellent position to secure a spot in a second consecutive World Series. But consider this: Don't you think Dodgers fans are saying, "Hey, we scored four runs off Cole Hamels in Game 1, we could be up 2-0?"

Fact is, the Phillies split the first two road games, effectively taking home field advantage away from the Dodgers. They are the defending World Champions, although, it's hard to tell that from the criticism Charlie Manuel is getting for pulling Pedro after seven innings yesterday. (Someone on my Red Sox e-mail list noted, "Somewhere, Grady Little is smiling.")

That reminded me of another conversation I had recently with a Red Sox fan who was upset with the first round sweep. He demanded they fire Terry Francona, cut David Ortiz and trade Jonathan Papelbon. Why? Because after winning 95 games this year and two World Championships in the last five, they couldn't win three more games?

I've noticed I've been a lot more mellow lately as a sports fan. I can't decide whether I'm losing interest or gaining perspective. Probably a bit of both. I love the game. I love the strategy. I love the mental mind games trying to decide whether it makes sense to trade Jonathan Papelbon - not out of scorn because of one blown save, but because it may improve the team for next year.

Sorry, I don't know how I got so diverted.

Point is, Phillies fans, relax. You had a great ride in 2008, and the sequel is by no means over. Big picture, your team has to go 7-5 to win its second straight championship. Charlie Manuel may be frustrating, mind-boggling and seemingly overmatched at times, but he has provided us great entertainment and that elusive title. And in a couple weeks he may hoist another trophy.

(Christine's of a similar mindset, but is worried about falling into the more pessimistic outlook because we have a whole rainy day to stew about it before Cliff Lee takes the mound tomorrow night.)

Oh yeah, the reason for that picture up top: Remember a few months ago, we noticed that the Phillies sign beyond centerfield needed a new coat of paint? Well, just as Pedro refreshed the ending of his brilliant career and a fresh outlook is needed after yesterday, the Phillies took care of that sign. I don't know exactly when, but we're pretty sure it was still cruddy for the last regular season game and repainted before the playoffs (we took the picture at our game last week).

Look back at 2008: On this day last year, the Phillies were waiting for the World Series while the Red Sox were heading to Tampa for Game 6. Our fish were in a bucket.

Game 2 nostalgia

Today reminded me of Octobers from my youth. I'd scramble off the bus, pop open my notebook and do my homework while watching playoff baseball.

(The Giants Jeffrey Leonard, No. 00, with the hands-down home run trot, winning the 1987 NLCS MVP despite losing to the Cardinals particularly sticks out for some reason.)

Anyway, it was odd but definitely interesting to have an afternoon playoff game. I watched the first couple innings at work, listened to a couple on the ride home and then watched the last few with Christine at home.

The good feelings evaporated over our dinner (leftover Chinese food). After Pedro Martinez was vintage Pedro - two hits, no walks and three strikeouts in seven shutout innings - things fell apart with the Phillies holding a 1-0 lead over the Dodgers.

Chan Ho Park, who surprised me with a shutdown inning in Thursday night's win, came in and gave up a leadoff single (should have been an error on Pedro Feliz). They got nobody out on the following sacrifice bunt. Then, on a surefire double play, Chase Utley threw the ball about 10 feet from Ryan Howard, allowing the tying run to score.

With Jim Thome pinch-hitting, Scott Eyre came in. After the announcers lamented that Thome was 0-7 in his career against Eyre, he singled.

Ryan Madson came in - walked a batter, struck out a batter.

J.A. Happ came in and walked in a run.

Chad Durbin got a pop out to end the inning.

Is this any way to run a pitching staff?

So after two games, the Phillies won a shaky Cole Hamels start, 8-6, on Thursday but wasted a dominant Pedro start, 2-1, on Friday. I have a feeling this series is going to be longer and wilder than I originally thought.

I can't imagine how Christine is going to hold up; she seems to think they're done. But I know if they win Sunday, she'll say the Phillies won't go back to Dodger Stadium this year.

AL notes: The stupid Yankees lead the stupid Angels 4-1 in the 8th inning of Game 1. ... Tim Wakefield's surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. ... The Red Sox want Takashi Saito back, but not at $6 million. ... No more extended God Bless America at Yankee Stadium as Ronan Tynan proved to be not the embodiment of America.

Game 1 on

***10:30 UPDATE: Apologies to Scott Lauber for stealing his phrasing about the Pedro-Padilla matchup. It wasn't intentional. Also, Phillies clinging to a 5-4 lead. Christine's not so calm anymore.***

As a fan, I can't complain about all these 8:07 p.m. starts for the NLCS games. Nor will I lodge a complaint as a blogger, but I won't attempt to get final scores in my nightly posts.

Here are the pregame doings:

--Pedro Martinez will start Game 2 vs. Vicente Padilla. Who'd have thunk that? I've been meaning to comment on how Big Joe Blanton has gotten the shaft this postseason. He was arguably the Phillies best starter and definitely the most consistent. So how come he gets bumped again for the 37-year-old who hasn't pitched since Sept. 30 and has a bum rib, neck or whatever body part he claims is hurting?

But if Charlie Manuel must pitch Pedro, this is the best possible plan. Pitch him in the warm weather with Blanton or J.A. Happ ready to come in at the slightest hint of trouble. If Pedro can't cut it, whichever starter relieves him should get the Game 6 start *if necessary.

--Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick were booted from the roster for Eric Bruntlett and Chan Ho Park. Brett's response: "I'm (ticked)."

I'm not going to carry the flag for young Brett, but I don't understand how you can take a pitcher who hasn't pitched since Sept. 16. Forget Myers, how could they take Chan Ho over Kendrick and Tyler Walker - two of the Phillies most reliable relievers at the end of the season.

By the way, if you heard Howard Eskin say that the Phillies cannot change their roster if they make it to the World Series, ignore him. He's a dolt. Teams can change their roster before each round. The afternoon ass said they purposely made this move because LCS rosters are frozen for the rest of the playoffs. Dolt.

Red Sox (former ones anyway): One storyline I forgot was the matchup of Pedro and Manny Ramirez. Thankfully, Nick Cafardo is on the beat:

They are competing in the National League Championship Series, on opposite sides, Martinez with the Phillies and Ramirez with the Dodgers. They are a huge part of Red Sox lore, teammates in 2004 when they helped pull off the greatest comeback in baseball history against the Yankees and went on to win the World Series.

Who could forget it, especially with the fifth anniversary coming up?

Manny could.

"I don't remember anything, man," he said yesterday. "I don't remember too much about that or about last year or any of that. I just don't think about the past."

It was one of those Manny conversations. Pretty random. It had an impromptu start and an impromptu ending. It was all about what Manny wanted to talk about, after the media pummeled him with questions in Spanish and English as he sat near his locker. He smiled and laughed and didn't elaborate on a whole lot.

Tonight's game: In the top of the 5th, the Phillies trail 1-0 on a James Loney home run. With 67 pitches through four innings, this feels more like a 2009, than 2008, Cole Hamels start.

Christine is taking the score quite well. She's quietly kept the phaith so far.

Sometimes I forget that my first allegiance is no longer to the story. Christine hit me because I made a disappointed noise when it appeared Jayson Werth hit a home run that would have caused me to rewrite this post.

The ball didn't go out, and I would up having to write more anyway.

I miss being a reporter sometimes.

Chooch Chooch Chooch!!! Is what I just chanted when Carlos Ruiz hit his three-run home run. Mr. Clutch. Phillies 3, Dodgers 1. Chooch!!

Snowed out

So a year after the Phillies began their World Series clincher in a monsoon, they've been snowed out. Game 3 will be tomorrow at 10:07 p.m. and Game 4 will be sometime on Monday.

You know what that means ... shopping spree!

How were many players spending the day? Going to the mall.

"What else do you do when it's snowing outside?" Werth said.

Um, J-Dub, when it's snowing, I clear off our cars, go to work and then shovel the driveway when I get home. Christine says she stays inside, but usually she makes it to work.

With the delay, J.A. Happ gets Pedro Martinez's start. Cliff Lee will start Game 4, and I assume, as long as the wife allows him, that Cole Hamels would pitch Game 5, if necessary.

I was thinking this morning, how weird has this Pedro Martinez experience been? He's gone from an intriguing and perplexing signing, to extraneous, to dominant, to forgotten, to playoff starter and then back to "why the hell is he on this team again?"

Red Sox: I made it to the end of last night's game, a 4-1 loss to the Angels, even though it was nearly 1 a.m. and I had to work this morning. Josh Beckett looked like playoff Josh until the 7th inning. He was locked in a 1-1 pitcher's duel with Jered Weaver until then.

Five years ago, I woke up Oct. 17 devastated. The Red Sox were one game from elimination without registering a win in the ALCS. I had to work at the shore that morning and conceded the series to the Yankees.

Coincidentally, work brought me to the shore this morning. But I don't feel as devastated despite the similar predicament. It doesn't look good for the Sox, but they won the ALDS in 1999 and 2003 despite falling behind 0-2. I don't think they're going to pull this series out, but by no means am I giving up.

I say with certainty that their season will not end tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow's game, which starts at noon, it looks like Terry Francona is over his tummy ache and has graduated from bananas and saltines to large quantities of salted pork and caffeine. Ewww.

Recapping one Game 2, while waiting for another Game 2 to start

I know this game recap is a bit outdated, but we had a busy day yesterday and I needed something to do while waiting for the Red Sox to start Game 2 and hopefully even things up with the Angels.

In past years when we were headed to a playoff game, even though it wasn't my team, I could not concentrate on anything but the impending game.

This year, not so much. I couldn't decide whether it was because we decided to buy tickets at the last minute or because this is becoming old hat. I settled on the fact that last year was so perfect (how many three-day World Series clinchers can you attend in one lifetime?) that I didn't want to run those memories.

It turns out that despite the 5-4 loss to the Rockies, we had a good time and I don't think it soured my memories of 2008. Here's our day:

Christine and I joked that it was the Budweiser Clydesdales that pushed her over the edge when she was torn whether she wanted to pay a premium for marked-up playoff tickets.

I'm not so sure it was a joke.

She had her picture taken in front of the horseys, but after making her blog pictorial debut earlier in the week, I don't think she was ready for another.

Afterward, I spotted a guy wearing a Cubs jacket. I don't wear Red Sox garb while attending a Phillies playoff game - unless we get tickets to the SoxandPhils series.

John Kruk tossed the first pitch to Milt Thompson. ... Jarrod Spector of Jersey Boys sang the anthem. I don't remember it so it couldn't have been too bad. {Greg may not have been paying attention, but the crowd really enjoyed it.} ... The sweet smell of roasted nuts - not sold during the regular season - permeated the stands. ... When they broke out Motley Crue's Kickstart My Heart in the 2nd inning, we thought the scoreboard guys weren't going to leave anything to chance, but then the music selection got really weak. They even broke out Bongo Cam at one point. But after Christine complained about it (to me) things picked up.

Before the 6th inning - the only frame featuring a Phillies rally - they started playing the pump-you-up montages. It started with a scene from Friday Night Lights followed by Welcome to the Jungle. In the later innings, they showed clips from Rocky II, Hoosiers and Miracle, with musical selections of the Rocky theme, more Crue, this time Wild Side, and something else that I neglected to write down in my notes.

In the 9th, it started with the apocalyptic Phillies montage followed by Are You Gonna Go My Way. Then, after a pitching change, they broke out Animal House and Rock and Roll.

But it was all for naught; not even the Phillies biggest cheerleader could rally the crowd. I think the playoffs require something a little better than the Phanatic in drag. Although, kudos to his umpire partner who lifted the big lug so the Phanatic could sit on his shoulders.

Our section was prominently featured on Phan-O-Vision all day. I first noticed it because a couple of rows in front of us were three women waving two signs: "Got Phillies Fever" "Trust Us, We're Nurses." ... The scoreboard might have caught me, but I didn't notice. I hope not because I was blowing my nose when it focused on a little girl dancing in the row in front of me.

We felt bad for the two children, the aforementioned dancing girl and a young infant, in front of us whose parents crammed into two seats. It was fairly cold in our section, which didn't get any sun. The baby was blue before they were seated and removed his jacket. ... Another big theme for signs was some variation of how it was "Werth it" to skip school for the playoffs.

J-Dub also got a Wayne's World style "We're not Werthy" from a couple of nearby fans. ... I couldn't believe how quickly the fans have turned on Cole Hamels and some of the other Phillies champions. One guy compared Chase Utley, who has never lit it up in the playoffs, to notorious October choker Alex Rodriguez. That guy, though, was an ass. Carlos Ruiz ended the Phillies lone rally by grounding into a double play on the first pitch. You'd think he was responsible for every little baby who has every cried and every little puppy with sad eyes. ... The guys in front of them were very loud, too. One guy kept standing up for no reason. But Christine liked him once the family with the chilly baby arrived and took his place as the most annoying fans in the section. ... Bunny Sigler sang God Bless America. He was well-received. I really liked his Phillies red suit he wore for the special occasion.

With just Paul Bako on the bench, I noted that Charlie Manuel had no one left to pinch-run for pinch-hitter Matt Stairs when he drew a 9th inning walk.

"Cliff Lee," Christine said, thinking of his stolen base on Wednesday.

"Hmm," I said. "That makes sense."

Sure enough, out he came. He took a really big lead as if he were going to steal again, but he stayed put and the Phillies couldn't drive him in.

Today's news: Pedro Martinez will start Saturday in the bitter cold; Cole Hamels had his boy, Caleb Michael Hamels; and Jamie Moyer has been in the hospital. (All in one Todd Zolecki post.)

Red Sox: They lost Game 1 to the Angels 5-0, but Jon Lester will be back for Game 4. Red Sox fans aren't too happy with CB Buckner. After some bad tacos, it's nothing but bananas and saltines for Terry Francona.

Clinched

A day after Dustin Pedroia tucked his baby into bed and then celebrated a loss by dumping beer on his teammates, the Phillies played like it were 2008 and then celebrated their third straight NL East championship.

Congrats to the Phils. And thank you for ending Christine's constant whining that you were going to blow this. Now I get a few days reprieve before she starts worrying about how the playoffs will be lost. {No way. The Phillies are going all the way.}

Even though this is the first time in recent memory that they've clinched on a weeknight, the vibe was reminiscent of the last two clinchers. Heck, they even had solid pitching (once Kyle Kendrick relieved Pedro Martinez), and the vaunted bats lived up to their hype in the 10-3 win over Ed Wade's lowly Astros.

The Phillies join the 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 Red Sox as the only reigning World Champions this decade to return to the playoffs the following year.

So for the third consecutive season, the SoxandPhils are both in the playoffs. We came damn close to the epic showdown last year - is this the year? We're just 14 wins away.

The Phillies will proceed to the playoffs without grizzled veteran Jamie Moyer, who needs surgery but should be ready in the spring for his 24th season.

Red Sox: Not much to say. Fielding the B-squad, they lost to Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays 12-0. Minor league catcher Dusty Brown pitched the 9th inning. He has thrown a strikeout in the major leagues before he attained his first hit as a batter. He gave up a run, but he wasn't among the worst three pitchers on the night for the Sox. And he was the third position player to pitch for the Red Sox this year. Remember the heralded pitching depth we had?

I guess they were still hung over.

Pain in the neck

I felt this one coming. As we watched Pedro Martinez take his warm-ups, I asked Christine if she thought tonight would be a clunker from Pedro. In other words, Pedro's good stretch was due to end.

Sure enough, it did. He lasted three innings, giving up three earned on seven hits and three walks. Even worse, he left the game with a stiff neck. Maybe I was a little too premature in believing Pedro found the fountain of youth when he tossed 130 pitches in his virtuoso performance on Sunday.

The Phillies trailed the Braves 6-0 in the 9th before making it interesting. Ryan Howard crushed a two-run home run, and they kept chipping away at Rafael Soriano to the point that Jimmy Rollins came up with two outs, two on and the Phils down by three.

"You feeling J-Roll?" I asked.

"No, you?"

"I don't think he ends the game, but he won't tie it."

J-Roll singled in a run, but the game ended in the next at-bat when Ben Francisco popped out.

Christine wasn't happy that I was getting some psychic vibes and that the Phillies couldn't lower their magic number from eight.

Red Sox: The Orioles bullpen blew up a pitching duel between Jon Lester and David Hernandez. Both starters left after six innings with the score tied at 3. But the Red Sox - highlighted by J.D. Drew's three-run homer - exploded for eight runs in the 7th and 8th innings. In the 9th, the Red Sox lead 11-3.

Gag me with a spoon

Don't do it.

Don't even think of it.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK.

(This is so awful that I will not mention the author nor the title even though it's probably costing me blog hits.)

There are millions of struggling legitimate writers out there. Support them, not this pompous ass. He already has a much larger platform than he deserves. We have to listen to him every night, and that's not enough for him.

By the way, you know this is bad. We've bought books written by Gary Matthews, Chris Coste and even the Phanatic. But even we, as authors of a blog half dedicated to the Phillies, cannot do this one.

Argh.

This reviewer, who sounds an awful lot like Sarge, says it all.

Thankfully, the Phillies are off tonight, so I don't have to hear him. Actually, it is good the Phillies are off, so we can savor Pedro Martinez's performance for one more night. It was so reminiscent of the vintage Pedro who pretty much single-handedly made the Red Sox respectable in the late '90s.

I also had flashbacks of 2003 when Grady Little left him in too long. Last night, I was screaming at the TV when Charlie Manuel let him come out for the 8th inning. I was yelling again when he left him in after visiting the mound.

But then, reading Scott Lauber this morning changed my mind:

Last night, Pedro went eight innings and threw 130 pitches. He hadn't pitched so deep into a regular-season game since May 31, 2006, when he shut out the Arizona for eight innings, and he hadn't thrown so many pitches in a non-playoff game since May 1, 2001, his prime with the Red Sox, when he reached back and fired 136 against Seattle. At one point, a friend from Boston sent me a note on Twitter (@scottlauber) that asked, essentially, if Manuel had never heard of Grady Little, the former Sox manager who ultimately was fired for sticking with Pedro for too long in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, forever known in New England as "The Aaron Boone Game."

But what my friend failed to understand is what Pedro explained late last night in the Phillies' clubhouse. He insisted he feels better than he has since 1998, 1999 or early 2000, and with his unexpected health has come an equally surprising level of effectiveness.

I told Christine I was believing in Pedro again. I wish my T-shirt still fit. I wish I could get Don't Stop Believing out of my head.

Tonight: The Red Sox and the Phillies are off.

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.

Stupid former Indians pitchers

The recent good performances by Cliff Lee and Paul Bryd, both former Indians, have been wiped away tonight.

After starting 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA for the Phillies, Cliff Lee has been shelled in his last two starts. His ERA rose to 1.80 after giving up six earned runs in five innings on Saturday, and it's now 2.81 after yielding six earned runs in three innings tonight. Jamie Moyer is now in, making his first relief appearance for a starter other than Pedro Martinez. In the 5th, it's Astros 6, Phillies 0.

If he keeps pitching like this, come playoff time, Lee might be keeping J-Moy company in the bullpen.

I still can't get over Pedro Martinez's performance yesterday. Christine joked the other night that he's going to wear a Phillies hat on his Hall of Fame plaque.

He's not, according to a Q&A with Yahoo!'s Answer Man:

DB: Assuming you get there, would you wear a Red Sox cap on your Hall of Fame plaque?
PM: I have no idea, but I would love to. Either that one or a Montreal hat. It's not up to me, it's up to the league, but I think Boston without a doubt. I'll take it.

Then, Pedro talks flowers. It's weird.

DB: Which kinds of flowers are your favorite?
PM: Orchids. All of them.
They're so delicate and tender. So beautiful.
DB: Do you talk to them?
PM: Yes!
DB: What do you say?
PM: I pray for them and tell them they have to get better and that I'm sorry about not taking care of them on time.
DB: Do you feel guilty?
PM: I just ... sometimes, I just don't have the time.
DB: What got you into gardening in the first place?
PM: My mom. She would spend a lot of time in the garden and I used to spend a lot of time with my mom.

In the American League, meanwhile, Byrd no longer has an unblemished ERA. He gave up seven earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, inflating his ERA from 0.00 to 7.56. The Red Sox scored one in the 4th, so the comeback is under way. In the 4th, White Sox 8, Red Sox 1.

Pedro doesn't have to tag in Moyer

With Jamie Moyer rested and ready to go, Pedro Martinez kept him in the bullpen by more than holding his own in a matchup of Cy Youngs young and old that exceeded expectations.

Pedro went seven innings, giving up a run on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. He threw only 87 pitches and probably would have pitched into the 8th inning except Carlos Ruiz doubled in the 7th, forcing Charlie Manuel to pinch hit with Matt Stairs, whom Pedro has outhit since his return to the majors.

{Maybe the Phillies should have claimed Jim Thome. They're still paying his salary.}

But you can't really blame Cholly because the Phillies had a scant one-run lead as Tim Lincecum pitched like a guy on his way to a second consecutive Cy Young: seven innings with two runs on four hits, a walk and 11 strikeouts.

All week I've been amused by people who thought Pedro would be able to hold his own in this matchup. I still can't believe the game was this good. It even ended by 9:15 even though Brad Lidge made it interesting by putting the potential tying run on third and go-ahead run on first before ending it. Phillies 2, Giants 1.

(The picture above is from the latest Phillies program. As has become custom, J-Moy follows Petey. And, as has become custom, he looks cranky about it.)

Red Sox: The Red Sox and Rays also had an intriguing matchup: Clay Buchholz vs. David Price - the two premiere arms of the next generation in the AL East. I didn't see it, but judging from the box score, it was nowhere near as good as the Pedro-Lincecum marquee.

Price was lifted in the 6th after giving up four runs; Buchholz is still going, but has given up three so far. In the 7th, Red Sox 4, Rays 3.

Problem solved

The Red Sox have been looking for a way to steady their pitching staff, which was supposed to be a strength but has become an albatross. Little did we know that the solution was on the roster this whole time. And I'm not talking about Tim Wakefield ,who spent a month on the disabled list.

It's SS Nick Green, who pitched two innings last night, mopping up what turned out to be a 9-5 loss to the White Sox. We couldn't figure out why Terry Francona would bring him in. Yes, fans can give up hope trailing by seven runs with just two innings to go, but not the guy who managed the greatest postseason comeback ever.

So what happened?

Takashi Saito? Unavailable because he slept on his neck wrong Wednesday night. Billy Wagner? Unable to pitch because he threw a bullpen session yesterday afternoon.

Daniel Bard? Possible, but that would have made him unavailable for tonight against Toronto given his previous workload in the Chicago series. Hideki Okajima? Same story.

So when Junichi Tazawa faltered with every pitch but his fastball in the second and third - the White Sox banged out eight runs over the two innings - Red Sox manager Terry Francona turned to Nick Green in the third and informed the infielder he'd most likely be taking the mound for the first time as a major leaguer.

"I had to go out there and try to pitch because our pitchers couldn't go," said Green. "That's the only reason I went out there."

Two innings, no hits, no runs - but three walks - later, and I think the Red Sox have a new pitcher. But his good work might have earned him a shot at a less glamorous position:

With last night's outing on the mound, Green has now played all but one position: catcher. And it's not like that thought hasn't crossed his mind.

"I would like to, but that's a tough situation," he said. "I catch guys between innings. I feel like I could do it if I had to."

And apparently, Francona has at least considered the idea as well.

"Tito asked me if I could do it if somebody broke their leg or something," Green said. "So I know I could get back there. I don't know how good I'd be but I'd try."

Today's games: Josh Beckett's struggles continue. He gave up five runs in five innings. He's given up 13 home runs in his last three starts compared with seven in all of May, June and July. He did strike out nine tonight, so maybe the MLB Network guys are on to something about him possibly tipping pitches. He better figure it out soon because never mind Nick Green, without a strong Josh Beckett, our World Championship hopes are toast.

In the 8th - Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 5.

Phillies: Just call Pedro Martinez the Rain Man. For the second time in four Phillies starts, he had an early exit because of the weather. There were two rain delays tonight before the 3rd inning. Hopefully this one gets completed so that Cliff Lee (sorry Pedro, he's more important) has an uninterrupted start tomorrow.

Jamie Moyer, who seemingly hasn't pitched since the 1970s, is in, trying to repeat the Pedro Moyer show we saw 10 days ago. So far, so good. The Phillies are up 3-1 against the Braves in the 5th on a pair of home runs by the Big Piece Ryan Howard, who on this special night at the park - '70s night - is donning his pimp garb on the scoreboard.

Hittin' hurlers

Pedro Martinez pitched poorly yesterday, but he had a good day at the plate. He struck out in his first appearance, but that was after he ran the count to 3-0, prompting Jerry Manuel to embarrass Oliver Perez by removing him in the middle of an at-bat against a pitcher.

In Pedro's next appearance, he singled in a run with the bases loaded. He added a sacrifice in his last appearance.

Several times over the past few days, I've noted how well things have been going for the Phillies, but this is getting ridiculous. Even their pitchers are hitting well. Over the past six games, Phils pitchers have gone 7-19 (.368), raising their season batting average to .138.

That doesn't seem like much, but this could turn out to be the second-best hitting season for Phillies pitchers since Charlie Manuel took over in 2005. Currently, they're hitting .138/.198/.182. That .380 OPS ranks second to 2007, when the Phillies pitchers posted a line of .155/.202./.185 (.387 OPS). That was a marked improvement over 2006 when they posted a .260 OPS.

Ironically, the year before hitting guru Cholly took over as manger, the Phillies had a fairly respectable season, going .165/.198/.241 with an almost passable .439 OPS.

Maybe pitchers just preferred hitting for Larry Bowa.

Or, perhaps, it's all the new guy. Cliff Lee, despite going 0-2 this afternoon, is out-hitting his opponents .313 to .175 after today's game, a 6-2 win over the Mets. He went seven innings, giving up both unearned runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Brad Lidge closed it out without incident or help of a triple play.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, still clinging to a one game lead for the Wild Card, are trailing the White Sox 4-1 in the 3rd.