Weekend update on pitchers who read the memo

Jon Lester practically memorized this week's SoxandPhils pitching memo, taking a perfect game into the 7th inning and a shutout into the 9th in the 8-1 win last night over the Rangers. That's two straight dominant performances for the lefty, who is close to earning back my awe.

He needed just 107 pitches - striking out 11, giving up a run on two hits and two walks. It's hard to ask for much more from him, but I hope he gives a little talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka and Brad Lidge, who didn't get the pitching memo.

Lidge blew another one yesterday. It wasn't his worst outing - just one poorly located pitch. But that was hit by Rafael Furcal, tying the game in the 9th, which the Dodgers later won 3-2 in the 12th. Just when we thought Brad Lidge was back, he blows two in a row against last year's National League also-rans. We're not happy. Hopefully, the bats give Antonio Bastardo a big cushion for tonight's game so Lidge can stay on the bench.

Dice-K started for the Sox today (on TBS as I write). He's pitching like Brad Lidge: Through four innings, four earned runs on seven hits. No walks - impressive for him. The Rangers lead 4-3 in the 5th.

Etc.: Papi homered last night - his first since May 20. ... While watching Saturday's debacle, Christine noticed that Russell Martin has "J. Martin" on his jersey. I had no idea what that was about:

The back of Dodgers catcher Russell Martin's jersey reads "J. Martin," a change he made at the beginning of this season. Martin's parents separated when he was a child, and he wanted to honor his mother, Susanne Jeanson.

That's very nice of him, but we can't believe baseball would allow this. What's next, the entire Angels roster coming out with Adenhart on their jerseys? Jimmy Rollins using J-Roll? Alex Rodriguez using A-Rod? Well, maybe if he wanted to put Slappy or A-Fraud on his back, I'd reconsider my thoughts on the subject.

It's a series now

The Dodgers woke up tonight to try to avert the sweep and keep alive the odds that we will be attending a Game 7 on Saturday. If it comes to that, Jamie Moyer has to snap out of this playoff slump he's been in.

J-Moy was in the showers by the 2nd inning after giving up six runs in one and a third innings. He's now the only Phillies pitcher with a loss in these playoffs. Coming into postseason, I had more confidence in him than any other Phillies pitcher, including ace Cole Hamels. Now it's a toss-up between him and Josh Beckett who I'm most concerned with for the next six to 16 games.

Moyer was outpitched tonight by Hiroki Kuroda, who made the Phillies bats look like they did before Friday's little explosion. He gave up two runs in seven-plus, and the Phillies managed only one hit before the 7th.

There was also some extracurricular activity tonight. Russell Martin was hit in the knee in the 1st inning and then objected to being thrown inside in a subsequent at-bat. When Shane Victorino saw a pitch over his head, he jawed back at Kuroda and told him to throw at his midsection, not his head. After Victorino grounded out in the 3rd, the benches emptied and a Manny Ramirez-led skirmish ensued. In the 7th, Russell Martin was hit again, this time by Chad Durbin. But the umpires evidently didn't think it was intentional, and Durbs was allowed to stay in the game.

Dodgers lead 7-2 in the 8th. I'm not giving up, but the Phillies don't look like they have it tonight. Tomorrow's going to be another early morning for the drive back to Jersey so we can get home in time for the doubleheader - Red Sox in the afternoon, Phils at night.