Sports Redux: Byrd Not the Word

When does Nick Green start? After Friday's disaster in Chicago, isn't that an appropriate question to ask? Paul Byrd allowed seven runs and 10 hits in just 2.1 innings and probably would have been hit just as hard by his kid's AAU team. Junichi Tazawa survived for 3.2 innings despite allowing five runs on seven hits. Believe it or not, Byrd and Tazawa were worse than it sounds as all 12 of Chicago's runs in the 12-2 loss were compressed into just three innings. Freddy Garcia allowed one run in six innings.

Former Sox utility player Mark Kotsay went 3-4 with three RBI for the White Sox. Kevin Youkilis and George Kottaras each drove in one run for the Red Sox. Manny Delcarmen and Takashi Saito each pitched one scoreless inning.

In other Red Sox pitching news, Daisuke Matsuzaka looked like Daisuke Matsuzaka on Friday against the Syracuse Chiefs. He turned in a line of 4.1, 4, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3. Two runs isn't a bad outing when you consider how terrible he was. But, he didn't complete the fifth inning. We know, rehab start/pitch count, etc...Tim Wakefield starts Saturday...Jonathan Papelbon got fined again for "slow pace."

For a Friday in early September, Bostonist's sports plate is full. A few highlights:

• Bostonist needs to look back at the merciful end to the NFL games that don't count. The New England Patriots spotted the New York football Giants a quarter and three touchdowns before completing an entertaining comeback. Three players - Brian Hoyer, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Terrence Nunn stood out. Hoyer and BenJarvus Green-Ellis had probably already locked up roster spots, while Nunn, at worst, is a tough cut to make. Hoyer ended up playing the entire game, while Andrew Walter got released.

• Signings - The much discussed and overdue signing of Marquis Daniels finally happened Friday. Daniels signed the bi-annual exception - wake up - worth $1.99 million per season. The Bruins signed Claude Julien to a contract extension.

• Golf, the other white ball, is being played in Massachusetts. That Tiger Woods is tied for 48th, behind co-leaders Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk, after one round in the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston in Norton is immaterial. Tiger talked about Tom Brady, wounded knees and the tuck rule, and made a pun. That's the really important stuff.

• Former Patriots running back John M. Stephens was killed in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday. Stephens was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1988. He was 43. R.I.P.