Jenn: Maybe it's just as well that you probably haven't yet seen last night's game--unless you were watching live on TV where you were. Dice was as good as he probably ever was in his time with the Sox, only making one mistake in eight innings. Unfortunately, the 1-0 lead he had for most of the game to that point went out the window (actually, out of the park) when A-Rod got what was only the third hit and first HR against the Diceman in 22 AB's; 2-1, Hankiemen.Worse, it was the bottom of the 8th and the Sox 9th had the lower end of their batting order scheduled up. So, what happens? Like Celtic Pride in Red Sox, facing Mariano Rivera (who lately has been blowing saves like Pap this year) Kalish singles, then quickly steals second AND third. Then, after he's plated by Hall, gaining Big Mo another blown save and the Sox a tie score, Hall decides that he deserves an equal share of the spotlight and he, too, steals second and third, coming in for the lead on the soon retiring Mike Lowell sacfly. The inning ends soon after, but now the Hose are leading into the last of the 9th and I'm imagining writing this piece with the Sox just 4.5 back of the card and six out of first.
Not to be. The Laser comes on and quickly gets the first batter. Then it all falls apart! Pap gives up a walk and three hits, the tying run and gets his 8th BS of the year. Unfortunate too, because most of the hits were just out of the reach of various infielders. That's why they call baseball a game of inches. The inning ends tied and after the Hose fail to score in the 10th, the Stripes load the bases with no-one out against Oki, and after he gets a couple of outs, they score on a walk-off walk. Game over, and with it all but the most infinitesimal remaining part of the Sox' playoff hopes. The Hankiemen magic number to clinch the playoffs is now one. The next Sox loss or NY win, and it's wait until February to start all over again, hopefully with a lot fewer major injuries than the Hose have had to put up with this year. Speaking of which, even in the final inning, the injury bug grabbed one of the Sox starters. Diving to pick up and throw the ball to first on a bunt, Victor turned his ankle and couldn't get up for a few minutes, just lying face down on the infield grass writhing in pain.
Really sad--dropping behind, then taking the lead, only to lose it moments later. The Hose deserved a better fate this evening. Can't blame the Curse any more, I don't think.
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