Game 2 - Yankees 4, Twins 3 (11 innings): What more can I say? I was there! So were 50,006 which was a
new record for the New Yankee Stadium as the Stadium shook on multiple occasions. Matt Tolbert's oblique strain was the worst thing that happened to the Yankees in the series as Tolbert's replacement, Brendan Harris, almost singlehandedly won Game 2 for the Twins. David Robertson got his due after getting out of an all-time jam in the top of the 11th. Even though the Yankees won a ridiculously dramatic game that will be a Yankee Classic, all anyone could talk about afterward was instant replay. Earth to the reporters who have nothing better to write: it may not have made a difference! Joe Nathan, one of the top 3 closers in the AL, was on the mound for the Twins with a golden chance to tie this series up at 1, but failed. Then Mark Teixeira finally got a piece of the pie. Some more postgame reaction from fans who were there here, here, here, here, and here.Game 3 - Yankees 4, Twins 1: The comeback kids did it again and produced some memorable images. It took a while for the offensive to get going against Carl Pavano who was seeking redemption but the Yankees came on late (again) and won. A-Rod continued to crush his playoff reputation. The Yankees helped to tear down the Metrodome and will advance to the ALCS to take on their nemesis, the Angels, instead of their archrival. A-Rod is ready for some payback against the Halos after he continues to pass his test with flying colors. It was fitting it was Posada and the "Old Guard" that helped end the ALDS, though it was really a combination of A-Rod and the "Dynasty Boys". It was also some historically awful postseason baserunning by the Twins that did them in, including "fundamentally sound" Nick Punto who may not be such a gamer after all, as shocking as that is to the Minnesota media. Still, their manager had a lot of classy things to say in defeat. The Twins' run is finally over. Bring on the Angels!
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox
Game 2 - Angels 4, Red Sox 1: For a second game in a row, Boston got out-aced with Jered Weaver out-pitching Josh Beckett. One big inning proved to be too much for the Red Sox.
The Angels dominated the Red Sox in Games 1 and 2 wall to wall and put their backs against the Green Monster. The Red Sox just didn't do their part to make Yankees/Red Sox III happen. The bats failed the Red Sox in the first two games. The Red Sox tried to conjure up remembrance of comebacks past to help them out.Game 3 - Angels 7, Red Sox 6: This was a great scenario for the Red Sox: they got a 12 PM game, at home, against a west coast team that hasn't played well in their ballpark. They got a 5-1 lead and the infamous afternoon shadows started to creep in. There was 4 outs to go and a 5-2 lead so the Red Sox went to Jonathan Papelbon, their lights-out closer. He gave up two runs (allowing two inherited runners to score) in the bottom of the 8th. The Red Sox got an insurance run in the top of the 9th and that looked like it would loom large. In the bottom of the 9th, Papelbon had two outs and an 0-2 count. It's over, right? Not exactly. A total meltdown for Papelbon (and a great job the Angels to expose his flaws) and an ill-conceived intentional walk and the Red Sox are swept in the first round. Well Bostonians can enjoy their cell phones and watching the Yanks and Angels the rest of the postseason. Or there's other ways to get over the Red Sox (H/T Jenn). Jonathan Papelbon may take the blame of Red Sox Nation as they try to fix the team for the future, regroup and figure out what went wrong and why they fell apart as a team. Give credit to Vlad Guerrero for one of the best postseason moments so far (though I won't call it the best) and one of the greatest Angels' victories. The Angels are a tough team.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Game 3 - Dodgers 5, Cardinals 1: The Cardinals never recovered from Matt Holliday dropping that line drive.
What a swing of events (Billy Buckner-esque) as the Cardinals are eliminated in a sweep and the Dodgers move on to the NLCS once again. If the Cards could have won this game, they would have had Carpenter and Wainwright (who was brilliant) pitching in Games 4 and 5. But it never got to that point. The Cards looked flat and dejected and the Dodgers just steamrolled all over them. Vincente Padilla feels at home in Los Angeles. Joe Torre is the toast of the town after guiding Los Angeles back to the NLCS. It almost feels like it will be Joe Torre back in the Bronx at the end of October, a finish baseball needs.Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies Game 3 - Phillies 6, Rockies 5: After being snowed out, the Phillies and Rockies played a great, cold one in Colorado. The game went back-and-forth and back-and-forth but the Phillies proved to be more resilient. Give MAJOR props to Charlie Manuel who used his best reliever, Ryan Madson, when it counted the most instead of waiting for the traditional save situation. Brad Lidge got a little redemption for a day as he got the save. Lidge came in one of the worst closers in recent NL history and came out of it with the save after throwing a pitch he hadn't thrown in a very long time. It felt like the Phillies had turned back the clock a year when the game was over. That all being said, Lidge put two runners on base in the 9th so you can't feel that comfortable with him. But it's baby steps. Maybe it was the Colorado pitching. And maybe another bad umpiring decision. Either way, 2-1 lead for the Phillies (who are now in the driver's seat), though it was over way too late for me to stay up and see the end of the game. In fact, it was the longest 9-inning postseason game in NL (NLDS or NLCS) history. With Cliff Lee going tonight, this one could be over.
Today:
- 6 PM game - Phillies @ Rockies: Cliff Lee vs. Jose Jiminez
- Dodgers off until NLCS starts Thursday
- Yankees and Angels off until ALCS starts Friday
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