Being pretty busy lately, I haven't had time to recap any game, even the sweet sweep of the Yanks series (The Sox sit pretty on 9 straight wins now). So I decided to write a running diary during Saturday night's game between the Sox and Philies.

Before the game:
With Dice-K on the mound and Lugo at shortstop tonight, will it be a disaster waiting to happen? Since the bullpen is worn out after yesterday's 13-inning game (featured with a Jon's gem, a R&R's blow save, a Masterson's long relief, an offense rally in the 13th, a Bard's save and, of course, a Sox victory), Wake and Penny both volunteer to be a long reliever if things don't go well. Boy do I love this team.

Top 1:
Ladies and gentlemen, pitching for the Phillies tonight, it's Antonio Bastardo. What an awesome name.
Pedey popped to first baseman in foul territory for the 1st out. He was 1/12 in the Yankees series (an epic at-bat, aka. the changing point of the 3rd game though) and 0/7 against the Philies the night before. Brutal.
Since J.D. was given a day off today (facing a lefty), Ells was batting the 2nd spot, drawing a walk. With Youk batting, he stole 2nd base and then advanced to 3rd on throwing error by the Philies catcher (They would commit another error the day after when trying to catch his another steal - why would they even bother?). Speedy Ells on base could make a game totally different.
Youk drew another walk, and JBay was on. Bastardo tried to pickoff Youk, but the throw was badly missed by 1st baseman Ryan Howard. Ells scored and Youk took 2nd. 1-0. Can't say I've never seen this before, but what happened next was really bizarre/funny. Howard (and maybe everyone else) presumed Youk would stop at 2nd, so he took his time to pick up the ball and walk back to 1st with head down. Youk sensed the opportunity and sprinted toward 3rd. When Howard finally realized what was happening and threw the ball to 3rd, it was too late -- Just like the hilarious error made by the Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley a day earlier, who caught a fly ball for the 2nd out and then just stood there holding a cool pose for a few seconds, before tossing the ball into the stand (!!!).
And then the error was followed by, of course, a homer from JBay. It was his 17th homer of this season, and gave the Sox a 3-0 lead. The funny part was that right after the ball left JBay's bat, Bastardo briefly pointed to the sky, as if telling his infielders to get the pop-up. Yeah, right. The ball actually traveled more than 410 yards and landed in the stand behind the center field, the deepest corner of the stadium.
Mickey Lowell jumped on the first pitch fast ball (he doesn't do that quite often) and almost had a back-to-back homer, but the ball hit the wall instead. The double was followed by a Baldy's walk (btw, the interview of J.D. from Baldy in the pre-game show was so funny. loved his deadpan joke) and a 'Tek's strikeout (finally the 2nd out). Lugo then singled to the center fielder, who won last season's the NL Gold Glove but misjudged the rebounce and committed the 3rd error in this inning, resulting in 2 runs in and Lugo safe at 3rd. 5-0.
The 9th batter came on, popping out to 3rd baseman, and the inning was over. I don't blame him. It's Dice-K the pitcher after all (who had a 2-out 2-run single in the '07 world series though. Geez). That's pretty much what happened in the top of the 1st inning. The Phillies committed three walks and three errors, and the Sox leaded by 5-0.

Bottom 1:
Dice K had a 1-2-3 quick inning, a rare feast for the Japanese pitcher. In the middle of the top 1st, it started to rain, and got heavier by every minute (the scene of Papi sitting in the dugout w/ an umbrella holding in hand was hilarious). Eventually the grounds crew came out and put the tarp on the field. So, we got a rain delay in Philly.

Top 2:
About 95 minutes later, the game resumed. Bastardo didn't return though, replaced by Chad Durbin. Pedey, Ells, and Youk were retired in order.

Bottom 2:
Dice-K came back on the mound, facing the leadoff man Ryan Howard, who singled to the right field. So much for Dice-K's no-hitter tonight. Another single by another Phillies player, but no damage done. The inning's over.

Top 3:
Don mentioned JBay's 49 RIBs leads the league. Woot! The Phillies defense almost had another error when they had mis-communication to get JBay's pop-up, only they didn't. Lowell popped up to the pitcher too. Bally walked, but 'Tek was strikeout.

Bottom 3:
Dice K had a 3-pitch strikeout. Impressive. And then Ells had a beautiful running grab to make the 2nd out. The hope of 3 straight outs were dashed though, by a Phillies double to the right field. While Don was talking about 20K last night, another double went down the right field line. Just like that, the Philies were on board. 5-1.
Oops, BRB, a phone call from mom.
Oh boy. How long was I on the phone? An eternality? And how many homers the Phillies batters just hit? All of sudden it's 5-4, a new ball game now.

Top 5:
Back to back hits by JBay and Mickey. A great hustle play by Bally but Lowell was forced out at 2nd. Then a 'Tek double to the left field line. Just fair. JBay scored. 6-4. 2-run game again. Lugo hit to the gap between shortstop and 3rd baseman. Bally scored. 7-4. Tito called back Dice-K, who would not eligible for tonight's win, and let Papi pinch hit. K. Pedey singled. Finally. Phew. And 'Tek scored. 8-4. Ells drew another walk. It was his 3rd walk tonight. Good to see him showing nice discipline in the box. Now base was loaded. Youk went deep to the center field but the Phillies centerfielder made a great running catch, making up for his earlier error. 8-4.

Bottom 5:
Manny Declareman relieved. Base was dangerously loaded with 2 outs and he struckout the next batter. BWEE!

Top 6:
JBay was the first out. Lowell had his 3rd hit tonight. A sliding catch for Bally's hit almost doubled up Lowell. But 'Tek was strikeout anyway.

Bottom 6:
Oki was on. So did J.D. on the right field， as boos rained down from every section of the ballpark. The Phillies fans do have a long memory (J.D. didn't sign when they drafted him on the 2nd spot back in 1997). 1-2-3 for Oki. That was easy. Two very nice Lowell-Youk and Youk-Oki combinations for outs.

Top 7:
Oh Boy, Lugo had 4 for 4 tonight (and no error). More boos for J.D. when he was at-bat. He was got hit at shoulder on 3-1 pitch. Wonder if it was an eye-to-eye for yesterday's HBP by Bard, or they just hate J.D.? Then Pedey was on base by a force out, followed by an in-field hit by Ells. Lugo scored. 9-5. Youk walked. JBay sacrificed to the left field. The Phillies left fielder does have a great arm, but the ball hit Pedey instead. 10-5 and baseloaded. Oh boy, Tito called back Kots who was set to pinch hit. Instead, Oki was sent to bat. Popped to shortstop. Uhhh, at least he didn't swing and miss. It's okay, Oki, we still love you. Btw I couldn't believe Masterson was warming up. He just had three innings the day before! Love to see Wake chilin' in the bullpen though.

Bottom 7:
Oki again. The Phillies hit a solo homer. No future damage done though. There was a beautiful running catch by Ells btw.

Top 8:
J.D. was at bat. More boos. And he drew a walk. Don said they booed him even at the spring training. Life is good, eh?

Bottom 8:
Hi R&R! Don't choke (again). They showed the bullpens of this stadium. Quite funny. There are 2 decks. The Sox is upstairs, And the Phillies is downstairs. 1-2-3 inning. Very good.

Top 9:
Ells just had his second homer of the year. 11-5. Youk drew a 4-pitch walk. JBay had a forceout. Poor Greenie who pinch hit for Bally went to a double play.

Bottom 9.
Not a save situation, but Pap was still on and finished off the game.

Just like that, the Sox won the second game of the series with 11-5. THE END.