Atypical, but typical, Torre

Watching Joe Torre, Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez go through the post game press conference routine I was struck with the fact that here was a former Yankees manager getting the job done for Los Angeles with Boston Red Sox spare parts.

Lowe pitched a very good game against the Cubs, giving up two early runs on a second-inning Mark DeRosa home run, then shutting out Chicago for his final four innings. Lowe worked six, struck out seven and walked one while counterpart Ryan Dempster issues seven free passes in less than five innings.

Ramirez didn't deliver the big blow, but his seventh inning solo homer padded L.A.'s lead at 5-2, and cast doubt on a Cubs comeback that never materialized.

If Torre got it done with two of his former foes, he still got his typical Texas production. Torre used to lean on native Texans Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens as staff aces on the Yankees championship teams. Tonight, Texan James Loney delivered a fourth inning grand slam off of Dempster that propelled the Dodgers.