Has everybody heard about Boston's new acquisition? The Sox acquired Mike Stanton from the Nationals this afternoon for two minor leaguers.

Quick, who owns the Nationals? Major League Baseball, of course. How is it within the spirit of fair play for MLB's vassal team to trade a pitcher to one of the teams fighting for a division title during the season's last weekend--the team whose ownership was so carefully selected by the Commissioner himself? I know that Stanton doesn't have much left to offer, but the intention here is to provide the Red Sox with a player who will help them this win this weekend. Stanton would be ineligible for Boston's playoff roster if the Sox make the playoffs.

This move stinks to high heaven, and I'm disgusted by it.

Thanks for the heads-up, Alex. Lydon's Open Source show is supposed to be pretty good (on WGBH-FM 89.7 in the Boston area). I'm looking forward to hearing what both Cliff and Jay Jaffe sound like.

BTW, the rain has stopped in downtown Boston. Lots of clouds still in the sky, but for now its looks like they'll be playing.

Let's go Yanks; Small will come up big once more, I feel it!

The fact that the Red Sox picked up a sketchy lefty doesn't bug me too much.

I'm about 90 miles east of Boston and the storm blew through about 2 hours ago. Nothing but blue skies; they'll play tonight. Good luck all!

Murray, that's a great point - I completely forgot that MLB still owns the Nats!

Not that Stanton is a great player, but if he makes a big difference this weekend . . . didn't they used to call such moves syndicate baseball? What a crock.

I expect to see one of Jayson Stark's classic conflict-of-interest columns, that he did so well when the Nats were still the Expos.

I can't wait - the season is going to be on the line and the pitchers will be Stanton and Embree. The team with the pitcher who sucks least will go to the post-season.

I really don't care about the MVP award and if it goes to A-Rod or not as long as we win the division.. but did anyone read Simmons, wonder if I can get some of the stuff that he's smoking....

I read the Simmons article and I was laughing the whole time, so it was good, right? Isn't he supposed to be a comedian... he has his cartoons, his cowbell, discusses prime-time TV... He's a clown, and sometimes he's really funny.

Tocho,

I guess you are right. But I hate it when people distort facts and all those morons on espn do that all the friggin time....espn becoming more like MTV every day.

I used to REALLY like Simmons, but lately when he writes about baseball, I kinda want to punch him in the face.

Don't focus on the player. It's obvious that Mike Stanton isn't Billy Wagner, but that's not the point. The point is that Boston acquired Stanton because Boston thinks Stanton could help them win this weekend, and they acquired him from the team that is effectively operated by the Commissioner's office. Situations like this are why authority figures are supposed to police situations like this and say "hey, wait a minute, this deal makes it look like we might be playing favorites in a pennant race, so we shouldn't do it."

It is possible for parties with potential conflicts of interest to deal at arm's length with each other, but there are reasons and even incentives for them to deal unfairly, too. That's why we strive to avoid conflicts of interest: the mere possibility of the conflict compromises the integrity of the situation. Who's that umpire whose brother is a pitcher? Randy Wolf, right? Could Randy Wolf's brother officiate fairly in one of Randy's games behind the plate? Yes, in theory, but in theory, he has a compelling reason to play favorites for Randy, too. The league has responded to this by barring the umpire brother from calling balls and strikes when Randy Wolf pitches.

And it is no kind of answer to say, "What's the difference, Randy Wolf sucks?" or "What's the difference, Randy Wolf's team has been mathematically eliminated?"
Sorry, folks, but it was bad to let owners own multiple teams in the NL in the 1890s, and it's bad for MLB's vassal team to trade a player into the heart of a pennant race in the last weekend of the season.

Schteeve, I feel somewhat the same, but I've decided its just because Simmons is a Sox fan. If he were a Yankees fan, probably many people in Boston would otherwise enjoy his writings but not his baseball ones.

He'll be at a bookstore near my work on Monday - if the Sox are out of the playoffs, I think I have to go listen to him, right?

watziznehm2, you're right on with ESPN being more like MTV - the horrid MTV of today, not the fantastic MTV of 15 years ago. I remember when ESPN was so good - and now it mostly sucks.

it's funny that all year i've been hearing from sox fans that their line-up (damon, rentaria, ortiz, manram, nixon, varitek, etc) are better than ours. well that's not funny. what's funny is that simmons has the nerve to now say that the sox wouldn't be anything without ortiz. well i guess that's why they hung onto manram, because he doesn't really add anything to the team.

the mvp race doesn't mean anything if the yanks don't make the playoffs. and i'll trade a world series for any number of individual awards. however, if you look up win shares through last week (http://www.hardballtimes.com/, look under stats) you'll see that not only does arod lead ortiz (even without the glove being taken into consideration) but SO DOES SHEFFIELD. are we really going to give the award to someone who's third in the league in in shares? well, don't answer that because last year vlad got it and he was fifth behind sheff, arod, matsui, and tejada.

Not to mention that Giambi has a higher OPS than Ortiz.

Correction to #14, giambi's OPS has slipped below Ortiz's.

My nightly request for any rationale for Ruben being in the lineup. Last night tocho advised that he was 4-10 vs Cabrera. I don't think he's ever faced Bedard so what's tonight's answer?

Bill, Every day before the game he brings Torre a plate of freshly baked Toll House Cookies. Mmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm.

Torre forgets or doesn't realize that Bubba hits lefties, while he's sure that Sierra does? Best guess I've got, Bill.

ROTFLOL, Schteeve - I like your reason better. Don't forget the green tea! =)

I went "ack" when I saw Sierra's name, but who would you prefer? Could Tino switch from dh to 1st later?

This is from Simmons' article, this can only come from a clown, not from a sportswriter:

"As for this year's AL MVP race, A-Rod backers point to impressive stats and excellent play at third, conveniently ignoring a lack of leadership and a comical tendency to turn into Roy Hobbs only during blowouts. When the Yankees are leading by 30 or more runs, A-Rod is hitting .950 with 19 HRs and 45 RBIs. All right, I made that up. But he's certainly no David Ortiz, the most dangerous clutch hitter in baseball, in addition to being the soul of Boston's clubhouse and the emotional center of the team. Without him, this year's Sox would be a .500 team, or worse. That makes him the MVP. But since he doesn't play in the field, the door will stay open until the AL East plays itself out."

Bill, Ruben is playing tonight, because he looked awesome yesterday with the bat, duh.

Tonight's lineup:

Jeter
A-Rod
Giambi, 1B
Sheffield, RF
Matsui, LF
Posada
Sierra, DH
Williams, CF
Cano

Nobody asked me, but... flop Mats and Giambi, scratch Sierra, start Bubba in center, Bernie DHs...

Can someone confirm the Yankees magic number for me? Is it 2?

NY magic #: 4
RS, Cleveland: 5

C'mon JG, hit the ball somewhere far.

Giambi baby!

Nice start! The Giambeeeeeeeeeeno, 3-run HR!

THE GIAMBINO!!!

thanks JG.

GIAMBI

Has the Sox-Jays started yet?

nice job cliff

#25, ask and ye shall receive...

I think that shot hit Boog's.

Ortiz Ks to end 1st. 0-0.

Bedard's thrown 24 pitches and gotten None out. Looks like a short night for him.

Sox are down 0-2.

having major issues getting onto the site, must be too many people checking their BB today!

bedard has zilch in the way of good stuf tonight.

Let's not take the rest of the night off, Yanks...

of course he did just k jetes and alex.

Schteeve still good enuff to K A-Rod ;)

Frickin' Torre.

I don't think he's a very good game manager, but I also find it hard to criticize his reliever usage when most of them stick so bad.

However, he must have NOTICED they are bad. And in that case, you'd think he'd want to score so many runs that relief pitching wouldn't be an issue.

So, 4 runs up up in a crucial game, pitcher on the ropes with no outs in the second, leadoff man aboard with a double and Torre...

Has Jeter bunt. What a moron.

48 mins in and my ears are already bleeding (to paraphrase):
-Contreras as the best pitcher in the league over the 2nd half? Sure, Santana's not a pitcher right, maybe he's a "hurler".

-Supporting Derek's multiple(!) bunt attempts with a 4 run lead in the 2nd. No explanation necessary

Atta'boy Shef! Giambi, you fat bastard!

What makes Giambi think he's fast????

#38 — Same here, Zack... very slooooow at times, or times out completely...

#38 — Same here, Zack... very slooooow or times out completely...

Runners first and third, one out, rent. up in Boston

knock wood - it looks like the yanks are in control here. maybe i'm being optimistic. at this point, i'm interested in watching the BOS-TOR game.

One out runners at the corners for the Sux

I don't think this qualifies as a jinx, so I'll state what everyone already knows: If the Yankees and Blue Jays hold on, then all our boys have to do to clinch the division is avoid a sweep. Wonderful.

Fat Poppy up...

Fielders choice for Rent, 2-1 Jays. one on two out for Ortiz

2-1 TO with Renteria on first and Big Fatty up.

Fat man K's!!!!

And Fat Poppy down......

Fat Papi Ks

Ortiz ks, inning over

was the ump just giving jorge crap for thinking he got hit?

I hate it when they go down looking.. and it seems to be happening often of late or is it just me..

Re 51: I don't care if everyone and their sister knows, that's still a fucking jinx.

Go run around your house 3 times or something. Go. NOW!

Well that wasnt any fun

A blowout would be just what the doctor ordered (literally for most of us, I'm tired of these stomach aches), we all need a night off (including the Yankees real bullpen).

Before I can mock Surhoff's .287 OBP he goes and gets a hit. Fucker.

nice.. DP

Jeter took care of him. :)

Small got squeezed there...

C'mon Aaron don't walk the number 9 hitter. Throw strikes.

This is going to hell

STRIKES!

damn... back to back walks

This ump is a ball-buster

Oh Christ. You cant walk Chris Gomez

dammit! we jinxed it. melt down in the third.

God damn it Aaron, every ball you throw gets us one step closer to a Jaret Wright playoff appearence

ugh

Yikes, Small...

Damn Small!!!!!! Walked the bases loaded with a 5-0 lead.

He doesn't want the stomach ache to leave yet

Has he turned into the pumpkin all of a sudden

Oy. This could suck. C'mon, Smally!

tocho, your turn for some house-laps...

Manny singled to lead off the inning for Fairytek

There, that was easy...

Thank God.

thank fucking god! small got out of that jam.

Phew! You did it, baby! Mora's not easy to strike out, but you did it!

NICE high heat!!

pheeeeeeeew.... man.. I can't take this..

Small is nails. Buncha Chicken Littles up in here, it's 5-0 in the third.

(and thanks, atc)

i'm going to have a heart attack, i know it

Exhale!

So, in Simmons' logic A-Rod should hit his Homeruns tonight, right? OK, I'll take a couple (with men on, if its not too much to ask).

LOL.......good one tocho....

runner on first for Millah

OK, I'm back from the laps...

If we knew then what we know now, Aaron Small could've been a 30 game winner this season ;-)

with Cleveland up 6-0 this weekend is shaping up as even more of a gladiator fight to the death for the division if that's possible

much better inning

4-1 Jays! Catalonatto hit a homer!

The Cat Homers!!

Catalanotto is the RS killer this week!

Catalanotto is on fire...

Maybe the Yanks should try to acquire Frankie the Cat for '06. He'd be a great UT man.

Another SB for Arod...

If all goes as planned over the weekend, Catalonatto must be cut in for a playoff share...

marc, I would say with Cleveland up 6-0 and with the White sox having clinched, they will throw their B team out there for an Indians feast.

Meanwhile, did you see Clement's face after the HR. Talk about a deer in headlights! he's soooooo spoked!

Lets see Fat Papi try that!

Man on second, nobody out? HAVE GIAMBI BUNT!!! FOR ALL LOVE, JOE!!!

I think we should pick up Cat for this weekend's series ;)

OK, Sheff, let's put this one to bed...

Clement is Vazquezing up!

I think I read somewhere that Catalonatto's teammates call him "Frankie the Yankee," because he's from LI.

C'mon Hideki, its been a while, you know you're due

Wow, Even Eric Hinske is controbuting!!

Bases juiced.. Rios up

Bases juiced, one out for the Yanks and for the Jays....

Jays and Yanks both with bases loaded 1 out in the 5th!

The stars are getting aligned...

FC at home in Boston, two outs.

Alex Rios sucks.

A gang o'green lights tonight...

6-0!

Jorge BB, 6-0. Gabe Gross still up in Boston.

At least the ump is consistent tonight...

Yeah, Jason wasnt going to score on that

Two outs in Baltimore, full count in Boston.

Go boom, Bernie, go boom!

What exactly is Gabe Gross good at?

Crap, BloSox got out of it. That lead's not safe.

Groundout in Boston, no extra runs for the Jays, still 4-1.

I hope that dosen't come back to bite the Jays in the ass.....

damn it.. and us for that matter..

that wasnt fun. Oh well.

God dammit, neither team drives home the runs with the bases loaded

Wow, both ended in grounders to first. Scary synchronicity there.

In both games blow-out chances in favor of the Yankees fail to convert. I don't like that measly 3 run lead for Jays but better than the other way.

shit Boston gets a walk. Wow, sounds like a great play by Hideki

Wow, both ended in grounders to first. Scary synchronicity there.

Man, nice job of settling down by Small. After walking the bases loaded in the third, he's retired seven in a row.

Hey, am I a greedy bastard for being pissed at Ruben and Bernie for not getting a hit there--and especially Ruben for at least not getting another run home?

If we can run this up to a 10 or 12 run lead, Newhan should get one right between the numbers later on — a) for robbing Sheff of his 3rd HR Tuesday night, and mainly (b) for stealing with a 8 run lead. Just a thought... ;-)

I had no confidence in Hideki making that play and even when he did I didn't believe my eyes. I mean, it was a running catch, not a dive or a leap, but he covered a lot of ground on a ball that was hit pretty hard.

marc, it was a great running catch by Matsui, one rare thing as you know.

I just hope Small can go at least 8 innings and they don't use Gordon or Mariano. Which means the Yanks need to score at least 5 more runs for the 11-run lead to hold with the B bullpen...

Meanwhile, the BlowSux, just recorded their 2nd out of the inning.

was that Milwaukee letting everyone in for free and only 13,000 showed up. I guess we should be happy we have exciting baseball.

Anyone know where Moose's career record at Fenway can be found online? Thanks!

GOing into 6th, still 4-1 Jays...We need to score more runs so as not to use GorMo, which would be huge in so many ways

Inning over for the BlowSux. Clement has 94 pitches so the kids in their bullpen must be warming up.

thanks tocho. I hope Matsui is appreciated, he'd probably be the star on most teams.

Bklyn, go to yahoo sports and check his split stats, since 198something, they offer that and under it it gives career Fenway marks

Jeter takes that inside pitch for strike 3 a lot.

Thanks, Zack. Much appreciated!

jays lead off hit Clement goes byby

What do you suppose Wang and Johnson talked about on their flight up to Boston this evening?

Hey, just a thought but I was taking a quick look at Clement's ASB splits - great before the first half...falling apart afterward. Got me to thinking...who does that remind you of...JAVY VAZQUEZ! The splits are interesting to see - very similar though Javy was more extreme - better first, worse second half...just thought it was interesting considering how I as a Yankee fan got a ton of flak about Home Run Javy last year from my former roomate, a Red Sox fan.

Here comes Frankie the Yankee. Just hit it farther this time Frankie!

Myers in, and on espn gamecast he has a seattle hat on, on yahoo, a Cards hat. How hard is it to get a pic of him with a Sox hat on, considering hes been there for two seasons!

atc, I'd like to be a fly on the inside wall of that plane! Does anyone know if Wang can speak English well?

Cliff, nice job tonight, IMHO you have a good radio voice - not quite what I imagined in my head you'd sound like, but not too far off. =)

small 86 pitches through 6. I guess that's a little much to try to go all the way. A chance to make it through 8. All of course if he stays sharp

The times fluff piece on Wang today said he speaks little to no English

I think Small has to come out to at least start the 7th. Have someone up (Sturtze? maybe F-Rod? Dare I suggest Wright?) in case he gets in trouble.

Giambi on second, none out - let's go laser Sheff!

OK; they got Frankie out, here comes Wells with men in 2nd

BANZAI!

'Bout time, 'Zilla ;-)

GODZILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLA!

Gonezilla.

Nice 2 run HR for Hit-deki, pile them on so Mo can rest!

I called that homerun! I have witnesses!!!

Home Run Matsui! Home Run Matsui!

okay - if we don't use Mo and Flash - who do we put in here? I figure this maybe a good time to give F-Rod more work. I think he's a decent pitcher that just doesn't get enough work. What does everyone think?

Home Run Matsui! Home Run Matsui!

doh!

Gamecast says Oritz reached on infield single to shortstop, whatever that means, but one on, no outs

Just got in everyone. Is this great or what ? How does this sound: clinching at Fenway ?!

(hope I didn't jinx anything !)

Sterling scared me with that Matsui call.He voice dropped after high and far like it was going to be caught. I was almost surprised after he finally said gone after a long pause. Hideus play in Boston lets Ortiz get on and knocks out the pitcher

Okay can someone enlighten me once and for all as to what the Yanks' magic number is?

4 as per fox.com? 3 as per the YES men?

Think they were just expounding on it on YES but I was out of the room...

OK, joe time for your 3 laps around your house. Now, if you're a Sox fan, ignore this and keep trying to jinx the Yanks.

Damn, 2 run Manny HR, 4-3, momentum swing in Boston

Damn it home run Manny...

Is Wright officially in the bullpen or is he available if they want to take a look at him. Oh fuck now manny homers with ortiz on base. one run game now

Dammit. Why take out a lefty and bring in a righty to face Manny. He's hitting .231 vs lefties this year. Over .300 vs righties.

Damn Manny, 2-run HR. 4-3 jays.

Hurricane Manny just hit 4-3

crap, crap, crap 4-3 jays

Toronto MUST HOLD THAT LEAD.

marc, I believe a Times piece this morning said Wright was in the 'pen - I'd try F-Rod or Wright - NOW. Crud. Only two runs, though.

Damn, 2 run HR for Lopez, trying their best to make sure Mo has to pitch

No cakewalk to the pennant, guys. Toronto had too many LOB and if they don't get to the Sox relief, it's going to stay a one game lead when we hit Fenway.

Shit, now we have to think what are they supposed to do with a 6-run lead and 7 outs to go.

Agreed yankz, but it'd be better if Toronto ADDs to that lead!

Millar walks, one on one out, same inning in Boston

Crap, one on one out for sox

Frasor not throwing strikes...

And with the hit I bet Small is gone, and Tanyon comes in making it inevitable that Gordon and Mo pitch tonight

Just hold on for one more out Small!

Small will get it done here...

Ah Tocho - not to worry. Born in 1960 in upstate NY, saw Mantle play his last season (my first game with my dad at the big ball park in the Bronx, Yankee flag on my garage, 2 sons fully dressed in Yankee gear.

We got this locked up

YEAH!

is keeping mouth shut for a while...

Um, post 195 was referring to the Boston game. Mueller GIDP.

OK, joe, just checking, now please take your laps.

why why why the fuck does joe always wait until it too late to pull a pitcher? oh crap, its sturtze.

And here comes Tanyon, with the bases loaded and who has no control, so by the end of the inning it will be at best 3 run lead, and Gordon will already be in..ugh

Dammit. It don't come easy. Sturtze? Dude...

warm up gordon in case Sturtze sucks

Torre always waits until the bases are loaded, fortunately the Yanks are still up by six and there are already two outs.

Who's coming in?

yeah joe, get lapping, you must appease the baseball gods.

Shit. Bases loaded Tanyon coming in. I just hope its the good Tanyon and not the shitty Tanyon.

We need Mo and Gordon on full strength!

I can unhappily stand if one of these games miserably goes against us but both games would feel like a stake through the heart

one out, Palpabon in for Sox...

GOOD JOB STURTZE!! Okay, Tanyon needs to start the 8th, and then hopefully someone else in the 9th, maybe F-Rod

yes!

Thank you, Tanyon!

I take back everything I said about your pitching when you come into a jam...

OK, now please some "insurance runs" for our B bullpen...

Good work, Tanyon! Now c'mon, bats — pile on in honor of your savior, St. Mo

what is it with you guys and F-Rod. We need to win this game if we can and if it means Gormo than so be it.

Unbelievable, 6-0 and 8-2 leads, high octane offense humming, and we're sweating bullets with one of the worst teams in baseball batting against us with runners on. So sad, but so understandable.

Amazing how the Sox trust and use thier kids, so they actually have some options that have been used enough but still aren't overused...

Palpabon has impressed me in general (althought he just gave up a hit). I think we will see a lot of this kid over the next years.

Come on Gross don't screw up this time...

Marc, if we win this game at the expense of Mo and Gordon having to pitch yesterday, today, and then all three games over the weekend, then we are in big big trouble. Especially with how the Sox hit them in Fenway...Bring in Frod with no one on and we will see, we always have GorMo if needed

So.... is F-EmProc able to hold a six run lead for 6 outs?

Come on, Gross, you owe us...

This game can't end quick enough. For a split sec, I thought it was top the 9th...

Gross sucks

Rats.

What is Gabe Gross good at?

And Palpabon gets through the 7th

You just know Big Fat Ugly Papi is going to bat again, and that's terrifying.

3-4-5 batters coming up... We need a good Tanyon inning...

Boston batting bottom of the 7th. still 4-3. Its all up to the Jays' bullpen now.

Please... lets not talk about GorMo in this game. We will probably need to take 2 of 4 from the Sox. We need to save our bullets.

Chulk warming up. Good Lord, tell him to sit his ass back down!

Yeah its not looking good for the Jay's. We need GorMo fully rested for the weekend.

we only play three against the Sox

That splitter ain't working Tanyon... just please throw STRIKES

Damn it with a six run lead why cant he throw strikes..

Jays are collapsing. Shortstop booted the ball.

Adams is going to singlehandedly lose this game

Come on, Adams, you're killing me.

As with every year, Torre's total abuse of the bullpen comes back to haunt him

C'mon DP

good, gordon's warming. Sturtze with a stupid walk. and now Sox are threatening with tying run on base with only one out

Jesus Ks. Renteria up with two out and a runner on first

Fuck! Like I said, here comes Gordon, our bullpen sucks, and our prospects this weekend take a HUGE hit

okay - time to pull sturtze. joe's going to go with gordon and mo. damn, they could have used the break.

No comments Tanyon...

STURTZE SUCKS

Gee Joe, I wonder why Sturtze's arm looks like its about to fall off??

wow.. he sucked big time..

Looks like Leiter and Sturtze are only good for getting 1 or 2 outs tops. not a good position to be in. sigh.

Incredible... nobody can get out in that bullpen outside of Gordon and Mariano!

I find in unbelivable that a man that used to be a starter is shot after 78 innings.

I find in unbelivable that a man that used to be a starter is shot after 78 innings.

God is still a Yankee fan... 3-0 greenlight on that made no sense...

The stomach ache has officialy kicked in... again...

I'm gone for 3 minutes...and Gordon is in.

WTF

Renteria grounds out with the tying run at second

Rent grounds out to end 7th, meaning Ortiz comes up with bases empty in the 8th

three pitches! way to go flash.

whew, nice play lets Jays hold a one run lead after 7

so - do leave flash - or go with mo? maybe at least mo will get some rest.

three pitches by Flash, so ultimately no harm, I guess.

Yo, I'm pleased with the result but what is Javey Lopez some kind of asshole or what swinging at that pitch?

Now lets all get some runs...

Big break on a 3-0 ball 4.
Sox still at 4-3 after 7.
Ortiz to lead off the 8th... which is the best place to see Ortiz. If Toronto can get through the 8th, we are looking pretty good.

Flash or Mo in the 9th? Who do we tax?

Yankz, the moral is clearly not to go away again...ever.

Amazing, considering all of our griping, GorMo ARE the only ones who can get outs, which of course is a sad reflection of our mistrust of our kids, Torre's overuse/underuse of people, and the pitcher's general crapiness.

Soooooo, does Mo come in for the 9th? Or do we try to start F-rod or proctor? My guess would be we should go with Proctor, then see what happens (and Mo will of course have to come in)

OK, jays coming up to bat in the 8th.

the bottom of the 8th. has Big, fat, papi, followed by stupid, lazy, ugly manny. After that, looks like blue skies...

time for Jays and yankees to put some runs on the board, especially the Jays

Hope the Jay's get some runs here...

Let's go Frankie C

Looks like he's going with Scott Proctor.

Fat Papi leads of the 8th

I like that idea Zack and looks like a possibility. Proctor is warming up. After all "its not a save situation".

3 outs to go!

Drat, they go in order. 265 sounds about right.

Looked like the O was already getting on the plane for Beantown in the top of the 9th...

Dude, he's gunna bring Proctor in? Why not just go right to Mo if that's the case? Gee-suz.

re: 269. Shit! you're kidding me! proctor better have a short, short leash.

Can Proctor get three outs without givin up four runs?

C'mon Proctor prove us all wrong!

Only issue is does he give up a homer or a walk first?

shit papelbon has easy 1-2-3. Going to bottom of 8th I have to say the Sox are the favorites. then again while their middle relief demoloshes ours as the Little League does, we kill the sox in closers

Tell Chulk to go away!

I might have left Gordon in, but if he only needed three pitches in the eighth I can understand trying to get away with having both Mo and Gordon available for tomorrow.

Fat Papi hits a homer.

FUCKING VINNIE FUCKING CHULK

ortiz fat piece of shit ties game

Like we didn't see it coming...

MVP! MVP! (JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING)

Why the hell is not Showenwhatever not pitching to Ortiz?

Shit! Ortiz ties it.

Proctor gets one batter I imagine. One gets on (unless two outs already) and Mo is in. Come on Scott!! Come up huge!! throw Strikes!!

Fuck Ortiz HR, big surprise, and the Ortiz for MVP goons come out again

Why Chulk and not Scheonweiss?

A nice little "only in Fenway over the monster shot"

Ive never wanted to physically harm someone like I want to harm Chulk right now.

Hey, Vinnie, in case you havent noticed, you fucking suck and shouldnt try to pitch to David Ortiz.

He's not the MVP (and let's not get into that discussion), but you have to be amazed by Ortiz.

two outs! go proctor!

Nice Scott, one out to go, come on baby!!

Re: 285, you get the point. DAMN. for a moment there I thought it was going to be easy.

Meanwhile, Proctor is one out away. C'mon man, help Mo.

He seems to always get the big hit.. pretty amazing.

why the hell didn't Jays have schoenweiss pitching? even the Boston announcers are shocked. Major League Baseball should have an investigation

Proctor overthrowing now, settle down

GET FUCKING CHULK OFF THE FIELD

un-fuckin-believable...Ortiz ties the game.

Hey Jorge, go talk to Scott

Fuck you Vinnie Chulk. Fuck you.

Looks like the Jays want to lose it in this inning itself.

damn single...kepe him in for at least another guy Joe

Stomach ache again

Chulk walks manny

GOD DAMN YOU CHULK

Tek singles after a Manny walk. Corners no outs, they need to get someone else in there.

Boston about to take the lead.

Toronto's done

Chalk sucks cant get anyone out, blows game for jays, yet all talk will be of Ortiz being clutch..nevermidn that he didn't get anyone else out either

Proctor did it!

PROCTAHHH!

Thank you Scott, you made me look good there...very good of you to keep Mo rested, especially since the Sox are on their way to winning

Chulk is still pitching (to Olerud).

No way the Sox don't take the lead here with Manny on third and no outs vs. Chulk. Then they just need three outs in the ninth to win.

So now that the Sox are on their way to this "dramatic, come from behind win" powered by "the clubhouse leader," they will have a lot of momentum going into the weekend, and we will still need to win two, which is a tough demand

Great win.

But I think we can kiss the 2-game lead goodbye, with the crappy jays bullpen.

Vinnie fucking Chulk is still in this game?

If Chulk can get a DP (who are we kidding), the Jays can pull this one out.

Olerud fly to center, Manny didn't score. Mueller up.

Damn Jays. Let's hope they pull off the double play and score in the top of the 9th.

Still Chulk.

C'mon DP!!

Hoping for the jays to win today was hoping for a bit too much. gotta be 2 out of 3.. sigh..

Ah, but Zack 316, the Sox have to win three regardless of the outcome of tonight's game.

OH YEAH!!! BIG K. One more.

Mueller Ks. Just get out of this Chulk. At least give me that

Mueller K's! Nixon now. Gulp. Schoeneweis, please?!

mueller strikes out!

Chulk!!

Now please, please, PLEASE, score!!!

GOOOOOO JAYSSSSS!!!! Get a run and finish this game baby.

Vernon Wells!

Chulk gets out of it! Man(ny) on third with no outs and Chulk gets out of it! Trot flied out to center!

Holy crap inning over score still tied, come on jays!

okay - if anyone's bullpen is worse than ours - it's gotta be boston's. let's go jays!

Was it a special catch?

I don't believe in momentum in baseball. It's whoever's pitching. Meanwhile Boston is still in the 8th.and a great catch just snuffed them out in the 8th. Let's hope Jays push a few across in the 9th. then again make that 5 runs the Jays can use, not just a few

Come on Wells.

Come on Wells.

Wells, Koskie, Hinske, heart of the order up vs. Papelbon in his third inning of work. Very nice, if nothing else, he's burned for tomorrow.

I like our chances Cliff. Great game tonight. Small got it done. The offense was clicking, well, for the most part. More great defense!

Torre looks ready to limit the pen work to Gordon and Rivera unless we have a huge lead. He's learned. Here we go, all heads and hands inside the restraints!

Anyone actually see the catch? Can you describe it?

Damn it. Now we have to pray that Koskie and Hinske contribute

shit, this papelbon is looking good. hopefully he won't be available much tomorrow

It was a sliding catch. He was running full speed and covered a lot of ground, then sort of slid under it.

Corey Koskie sucks

Wells covered a lot of ground to right center and made the catch with one of those short pop-up slides.

Wells saved at least 3 runs in that inning. That's what a good OF gives you, they save runs, ain't that a new concept.

If the Sox got to win, I hope its in the 18th inning ;)

Cliff

It was a very hard hit ball hit to deep right center field with very little tail. Wells read it right away, made a bee line towards right and made a great catch hitting the turf smoothly following the grab.

Up to Hinske...(uhoh)

Anyone actually see the catch? Can you describe it?

Nixon hit a gapper to right-center. Well's at full speed made a slidding catch on a ball I was sure would find the gap. An 'A' play for sure.

Why exactly is Corey Koskie hitting cleanup again? Was there a point where he was a viable enough hitter to hit cleanup?

If this goes 13 or 14 innings and the Sox use up their pen, it will be almost as good as a loss....not quite as good, but at least they will be dogged out.

Hinske doubles

Isn't wells a FA next year?

Hinske double

YES! Now Zaun...

I'm sorry, I trust Koskie more than anyone else in that line-up (save Frankie the Cat this week). Papelbon use still under 30 pitches, not that terrible, unfortunately. Very efficient.

Ooooh. Double by Hinske, Zaun up with two outs.

Go Zaunie.

Yeah, Palpabon is the type we can't hit, a good, hard throwing youngster we haven't seen. Its them and the total crappy junk ballers like Frank Castillo and Wake that we can't touch

mike, nothing that requires us to win two in Fenway is as good as something that requires us to win only one

yup, let's hope this Sox-Jays game goes deep into extra innings...

How about an 18 inning loss :)

Fucking Zaun.

If that bastard Chulk comes back out I'm breaking something

I'll be watching the bottom of the 9th. but on mute.

Zaun makes an out on two pitches, but Batista is in the game.

I know Matt, but the Sox are probably going to win this one....back against the wall at home. I want the win bad, but a nice consolation would be a battered Sox pen.

Two is better than one for sure. Go Jays.

Jays strand another, they have really wasted chances in this game. Going into bottom of the 9th, tied at 4, and because of the long 8th, Ortiz is looming

WTF kind of closer has an ERA of four?

I'm would guess no one will agree with me, but I think Torre has done an excellent job with the pen this last week. He has taken chances and pushed limits. And while sweat was sweat, we got the 'W's.

After all, the only advantage we have against Boston in Boston is GorMo. If we win, I'm sure they will ultimately be a big part of the reason why.

Torre threw his book away this week. And we have better then even odds of making the PS and maybe eliminating Boston from not only then division, but the PS as well.

Good Joe Torre.

One down. Pop out. Two to go.

One pitch, one out.

That bases loaded one-out situation in the fifth was where they really screwed up.

Graff fouls out, Damon up

The Sox pen isnt very good to begin with. Them being battered doesn't change anything.

Damon hits a grounder, but of course Hinske sucks, so he singles

Damn you Damon.

Ouch. C'mon. Turn two. No Ortiz with runners on.

Too little too late, singledd.

Damon single.

And Damon singles, meaning barring a dp, ortiz will come up with a runner most likely in scoring position, will get a hit, and will cement his "clutch" status and the mvp. (Clearly I am a doomsayer)

Come on Batista, just get the DP.

Please, if you have to lose, don't let it be via a Fat Ass papi walk off job.

This weekend could very well come down to whose pitching staff screws up the least. It may rest with Moose, I sure hope he's ready. Any word on a back-up plan for Moose?

Bloody hell. Walk him and turn two on Rent-a-wreck.

Runners on doesn't matter, one run wins it for the Sox, no margin for error for the Jays pitchers. Damon steals, 3-0 on Renteria. Badness.

Damon steals.

Game is basically over.

Fuck you Vinne Chulk.

That could be the game right there.

Damon steals second (no surprise) and batista can't throw strikes (also no surprise)

There goes the game.. Batista is an idiot.

Edgar walks, oritz up with two on, anyone wanna place bets?

I wouldn't mind Chacon on 3 days rest

Fat Papi up.

Game over

If Papi wins it in the bottom of the 9th he may get the MVP. Bastard.

Well, I'll take the Jay's infield here!

I still don't understand how Ortiz always manages to come up in the 9th inning. Seriously, look back over their games. Every game hes up in the 9th, its amazing

No seriously, what the fuck kind of closer has a 4 ERA?

Ground ball! Ground ball! I command you!

Ortiz has a .333 lifetime average vs. Batista

Okay keep cool Batista.

There's 2, do I hear 3?

A DP by Ortiz would be great. just to shut everybody up

I thought this bullpen was supposed to be good?

Didn't he see World Series time? He should handle this pressure.

Zack, that's the function of batting order, think about Jeter and his 9th inning ABs. More OBP in the bottom of the order and it's Sheff that's up in the 9th in those situations.

Full count. Need to double Ortiz up here.

I thought that was a double play off the bat

Oh, fuck.

I cant believe this. I really fucking cant.

Fuck you Vinnie Chulk.

Fuck you Miguel Batista

Fuck me! God Damn, the legend lives on. Damn!

Oh well. Sox still need three wins this weekend. Yanks just two.

Fuck!

Batista was shook. Will never be ez. If they start (as I'm sure they will) chant MVP this weekend I think I'll puke.

Well, another game tied winning hit for Ortiz, and I don't care if you don't believe in momentum, the Sox have it now. Notice of course, that it was another game tied hit, not that it matters

Cliff-I know that thats the case, its just crazy how it works, no? I mean, every freaking 9th inning!

Fucker. Whatever.

Big Fat, ugly, but unfortunately competent papi delivers... again.

It was too good to be true.

I don't blame Chulk, I blame the stupid lazy manager for not replacing him.

Anyway see you all tomorrow to continue to suffer!!

Fuck the Jays. I know we shouldn't have expected much from them, but they blew this game with their pen and leaving runners on. FUCK. Ah well, avoid the sweep and we get Chacon in the tiebreaker. Has Boston even seen the stud yet?

Yeah, Ortiz homered to tie it and singled to win it. It's infuriating and impressive at the same time. It's not all his doing, of course, he didn't make Damon single and steal second, nor could he control when he'd bat, but it's still . . . infurssive?

goddammit.

Yankz, Boston beat Chacon easily in the Schilling game on FOX a few weeks back.

Why is it that a game like that gets more attention and "builds momentum" more than a game like the Yanks won, where they beat up easily on the opponent and coasted to victory. I know I am the one saying the Sox get the momentum, but thats how it feels, no? A team comes from behind, doesn't matter how shitty they played or the fact that they should have won easily in the first place, at home, but if they come from behind and win it in the 9th, its dramatic and gives them a shot in the arm. Especially that 9th inning stuff.

Here's to hoping the Yanks come out geared to win and not terrified they way they often looked the last two years in Fenway...

Ah, ouch.

Oh, and re: an earlier question, Vernon Wells is signed through 2007.

Sox win pretty much saved their chance at the playoffs, because even if we pull it off this weekend, they have a reasonable shot at the wild card. I doubt Cleveland sweeps, even with the WS celebrating and setting their rotation.

Which likely means Ortiz gets the you-know-what award. I still like our chances with a rested Gor-Mo, but today only reinforced how scary it will be if one of our starters (hello, Mike Mussina) can't make it past the 6th inning.

Bottom line. As close was the race is for the division and for MVP. Everything will come down to this weekend. All (and I mean ALL) eyes will be on Yanks v. Sox and Ortiz v. ARod. I really don't think I can take it, especially if it come down to Sunday. Seeing Moose come out give me the creeps. (All most deja va seeing K. Brown for game 7). Ugggh. Let's think positive that we'll not need Sunday. Please. Please. Please....

Zack, I think the biggest bit of momentum is the Yanks 5-2 record against the Sox in their last two series and that one game lead in the division.

Um, so is that red shirt Sierra's wearing during the post-game part of some sort of hazing ritual?

Yeah, I will probably skip Sunday's game if its a must-win situation. If the Yanks win, I don't mind finding out later, but if they lose against the fat bastard Schilling I will not stand that sight again.

So going into the weekend, the sox have a fully rested Timlin, Bradford, Harville, and Gonzalez, a partially rested Dinardo and Delcarmen, and a spent Myers and Papelbon.

The Yanks have a fully rested Mendoze and Embree (whoppie), a partially rested DePaula, Franklin, Lieter, F-Rod, and (most importantly) Rivera, and a partially (minus) rested Gordon, sturtze, and Proctor.

Soooo, whos in better shape. What is clear is that both BP's suck, and not having Papelbon might be big tommorow. Timlin is well rested and we usually don't hit him.

Wells and Wang tomorrow hinges on Wang. If he gives up a few runs early, I would say we are in trouble. Wells tends to get hit early and settle down, so we need to jump out immediatly.

Saturday we have no chance, Unit or no. Wake just dominates us.

And Sunday, well, Schill will step up, this is what he gets off on.

So basically, we need tommorow. if we win tommorow, we aren't in too bad shape. But if we lose, well then we have to win the next two with odds against us, bad bad bad. Wang is huge tomorrow...

All in all it has been a simply amazing year.
Remember 11-17? We are 83-48 since then, a .633 winning pct.

Like then Braves, somehow we are always there. It will be a very, VERY tense weekend.
Friday's game sets the tone. We will need to be patient against Wells, and not make easy outs.

We need to win tomorrow and Saturday. I dont want to be going up against the Fat Unit with the season on the line.

What Cliff said. I like the way we match up against the Sox lately. However, there's a lot more pressure on us to win the first two games than people realize.

If we're in a position where we have to win Sunday or in a one game playoff for the division, we have Mussina and Chacon, and I wouldn't blame the Sox if they liked their chances against those two pitchers.

The good news (sort of) is that the Yankees could look at Schilling and Clement/Arroyo and say they like their odds against those pitchers as well. I still would rather see Randy close it out Saturday...can't deal with the heartburn otherwise.

Hey, the Jays helped us go 1-up into this weekend. They did their part. Unless you want to bring up "our part" i.e., the sweep by KC, Brown, Wright, Pavano and those two blown leads to the Rays, we wouldn't be in this situation... but I digress.

Whatever one thinks will happen in Beantown probably won't. Just stock up on your food and provisions for the weekend, be it whiskey or water (or both), and just prepare for the unexpected. Probably not a bad idea to stock up for a Monday game, either, just in case.

And as Alex often says "Keep the faith". I know I will...

#427 singledd — I ripped out the standings page from the newspaper the day we were 11-19 and still have it. I think we reeled off eight or nine wins in a row right after that, but kept the page hoping that was the low point and I could look at it and smile in September. So far, so good ;-)

"As he rounded first, Ortiz raised both arms to the sky and was mobbed by teammates. The crowd chanted "MVP! MVP!"

From ESPN's summary...

Tomorrow is going to take forever to get over with and get on towards night. Even here on the west coast where that means 4:00pm, its gonna be real hard to concentrate

Everyone rest up....all hell is about to break loose.

This is why the average fan is such an idiot. Clearly, Ortiz's RBI was dramatic. But A-Rod has a ton of RBIs that put his team up, they just came earlier in the came. Each run is worth the same. But simpletons will vote on what ESPN tells them is more valuable.

earlier in the game*

this was a big game for the yankees. Not only did we win but what briefly looked like it would be damaging to gormo turned into a great escape with Gordon only throwing 4 pitches and Mo never used. Proctor came up big in the 9th not that that would make me trust him. We have only one game over Cleveland and Boston so if we get swept the year's probably over. If we lose 2/3 then we could be in a three way tie again. So a play off for the division and the loser if tied with Cleveland at that point would have a play off to be the WC. I think we really want to win 2/3 and let Boston worry about where they are with Cleveland. Am I confused here or is that the way it is?

Lets just sweep and be done with them already!

Friday afternoon, the longest part of the week, is going to be even longer today.

I think the MVP contest is going to be settled head-to-head, this weekend. Bring 'em on!

Will someone please check this. Here are the Yankee/Red Sox playoff permutations:

Yankees (3-0) Win AL East
Red Sox (0-3)
Cleveland (1-2) Wild Card; Sox Out
Cleveland (0-3) Sox/Tribe playoff

Yankees (2-1) Win AL East
Red Sox (1-2)
Cleveland (2-1) Wild Card; Sox Out
Cleveland (1-2) Sox/Tribe playoff
Cleveland (0-3) Sox Wild Card; Tribe Out

Yankees (1-2)
Red Sox (2-1)
Cleveland (3-0) Wild Card; Sox/Yanks playoff
Cleveland (2-1) Sox/Yanks playoff; loser/Tribe playoff
Cleveland (1-2) Yanks AL East; Sox WC; Tribe Out

Yankees (0-3)
Red Sox (3-0) AL East Champs
Cleveland (2-1) Wild Card; Yanks Out
Cleveland (1-2) Yanks/Tribe playoff
Cleveland (0-3) Yanks Wild Card; Tribe Out