Nothin's over till it's over

Manny came up big for us in the 9th inning and he hit a two run home run to beat Cleveland 6-4. We entered the ninth down one 4-3 when Lugo hit a double down the third base line. After being sacrificed to third, it only took a deep fly ball to left by Dustin (Minny Manny) Pedroia to score him from third to tie the score. Big Papi finally got out of his slump and had two hits tonight, one of which came in the ninth. When Manny came up, we just knew something good was going to happen. And it did.

I have to admit though that in the middle innings, when we were down 4-1, I flipped over to the Yankee game and watched Tampa Bay come back to tie the score against the Yanks. Flipping back and forth between the games, I watched us come back and watched the Yanks blow it. Even though the Yanks won the game on a pinch hit home run, it was nice to see their bullpen blow a 5 run lead.

Although everyone will be talking about Manny's home run, the true MVP of the game would have to go to Julian Tavarez. He came in with us down 4-1, the bases loaded with one out in the 5th and struck out the next two batters to get us out of the inning. With those two outs, we were able to stay close and inch our way back into the game. Mike Timlin got the win as he came in and pitched well in the 8th and held Cleveland scoreless. Although he still scares me when I see him coming in from the bullpen, it was nice to see him pitching well again. I hope he keeps it up. Papelbon came in in the ninth and pitched a perfect inning to close it out. He is really looking unhittable. He is averaging 2 strikeouts per inning this year. It sure is nice to have a good closer, isn't that right Cleveland?

One more game against the Indians, then it is off to the Bronx for two against the Yanks. Joba Chamberlain won't be with the team as his father is in critical condition. Although I strongly dislike Joba and would like to see him with 20 blown saves this year, I hope his father makes it out ok. You can tell he and his father are really close and his father loves watching his son play - even if it is for the Yankees! Get well so I can get back to rooting against you!



Manny hits the game winner.