Sept. 2 -- CHEATERS?

MIAMI GARDENS -- Happy Sunday, all.

Did you see highlights of Clay Buchholz's no-hitter last night for the Red Sox? How about J.D. Durbin's no-outer for the Phillies? No, that isn't a misprint in the box score. Durbin gave up seven runs in the first inning last night without getting an out, hiking his ERA as a starter from 4.19 to 5.65. In the process, the Phillies lost a game on the Mets in the NL East and the Padres and Diamondbacks in the wild-card race. Not a good night.

So, what's the more difficult feat: Starring like Buchholz or stinking like Durbin? Discuss.

For me, though, the most interesting story of the day is the Mets accusing the Phillies of stealing signs last week during that four-game sweep at the Bank. Apparently, the Mets, already suspicious of the Phillies because of stories they heard from several former Phillies players (Billy Wagner, perhaps?), changed their signs after Monday night's game. According to Charlie Manuel, Brett Myers may have joked to Tom Glavine that the Phillies could no longer steal the Mets' signs via video cameras strategically stationed in center field. The Mets weren't amused and requested that MLB dean of discipline Bob Watson come to Thursday's game to investigated.

Watson did, and found nothing fishy.

Think the Mets are on to something? Or are they just sore losers?

Funny story: Manuel said Phillies bench coach Jimy Williams used to accuse the Indians of stealing signs in the late-90s when Manuel managed the Indians and Williams managed the Red Sox. The two still talk about it today.

"All we ever did was hit," Manuel said yesterday.

"When you hit 100 points higher at home than you do on the road, something isn't right," Williams countered.

For the record, the Phillies are batting .285 with 379 runs scored in 68 home games, .271 with 363 runs in 67 road games entering today against the Marlins.

*
Don't expect to see Shane Victorino play again until at least Friday. After last night's game, Charlie Manuel told me he's planning to give Victorino an extended rest. Clearly, Victorino is favoring his still-strained right calf, and because speed is such a big part of his game, he can't be effective if he's hobbling around. Last night, while running out a pinch-hit grounder back to the pitcher, Victorino was favoring his calf. He's not the only banged-up Phillie, though. Manuel said reliever Antonio Alfonseca is practically out of gas. Alfonseca has appeared in 54 games this season, more than his total from 2005 and 2006 combined.

*
Loyal readers of The Blog will recognize the feature topic in my Sunday baseball notes. Kyle Kendrick has been better through 15 starts than Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jake Peavy, Tom Glavine and Scott Kazmir, among others. And nobody is more surprised than the Phillies. But, did you know the Phils almost traded him for Julian Tavarez?