Pounded in Philly

For the first time in my life, and most likely the last, I actually agree with something that Stank Steinbrenner said -- the National League rules regarding the use of a DH suck.

The Red Sox had two golden opportunities to score early in Monday night's game, but both times Bartolo Colon, a .120 lifetime hitter who hasn't even had an at-bat in three years, struck out to end the rallies.

BOX SCORE: Phillies 8, Red Sox 2

Watching Big Bart taking his hacks was pretty comical, but it's time both leagues have the same rules. For every Micah Owings' and Carlos Zambrano's there are 50 Brett Myers' and Tim Hudson's. At least none of the Sox pitchers got hurt running the bases!

The NL purists need to face the facts - it's much easier to find a player to DH than find a pitcher who can hit. Plus, having nine legitimate hitters in a lineup makes the game more exciting and makes pitchers earn their way to quality starts.

As for the game, Big Bart got shelled early by the Phillies' big hitters. Jimmy Rollins led off the 1st with a bomb to right, then three batters later Ryan Howard hit an opposite-field 2-run homer. Howard hit another one out to left in the 3rd. Both shots probably would have been singles off the Wall in Fenway.

The lone bright spot on offense for the Sox was Dustin Pedroia who busted out of his lump falling a triple short of the cycle. Dustin blasted a solo shot in the 5th and J.D. Drew followed that with another bomb to cut the lead to 4-2. It was the 8th time this year the Sox have hit back-to-back homers.

One inning later the game was essentially over as Mike Timlin was pounded for 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Even after the Phillies scored two runs, Francona left Timlin in to face Howard who hit a blast to center off Ellsbury's glove for a triple and two more runs.

Hideki Okajima pitched a perfect 8th inning. Hopefully this will get him back on track.