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October 22, 2007 »

POSTGAME: Indians pen fails

By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- After emerging as one of the elite relief pitchers in baseball over the last few months, Rafael Betancourt could not get the job done Sunday night. The Cleveland right-hander was rocked for seven runs on five hits in his 1.2 innings as the Indians' bullpen crumbled and Boston rolled to a 11-2 win.

Betancourt, a one-time Red Sox farmhand, entered the game with Boston clinging to a 3-2 lead. He struggled right out of the gate in the bottom of the seventh, however, as Dustin Pedroia smashed a two-run home run to push the Red Sox lead to 5-2. He fell apart further in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Sox pushed across runs to ice the game.

Betancourt came into Sunday's game with sterling postseason numbers. In six games this October, he had pitched 8 scoreless innings. He allowed just two runs and retired the first batter he faced seven out of seven times.

Posted by Kevin  at 11:48 PM | Permalink

FINAL: Boston 11, Cleveland 2

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ The Red Sox belong where they’re going!

After trailing three games to one in the American League Championship Series, Boston pulled off another dramatic postseason comeback and pounded the Cleveland Indians in Game Seven at Fenway Park last night, 11-2.

Now, it’s on to baseball’s holy grail as the Red Sox will have a chance to win their second World Series Championship in the last four years when they face the National League’s Colorado Rockies, beginning Wednesday at Fenway Park.

From the time new ownership took control of this organization in December of 2001, principal owner John Henry and his partners promised to change the landscape and the philosophy of the organization that had not won a championship since 1918. The Red Sox accomplished that feat in 2004, and now they have another chance for Fall immortality.

Momentum in last night’s game shifted back and forth with nail-biting intensity before Red Sox rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia delivered the crushing blow with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning off Cleveland reliever Rafael Betancourt en route to victory. Pedroia then added a base-clearing double in the bottom of the eighth.

Kevin Youkilis added a two-run homer in the eighth inning.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was called upon to record the final six outs and he did just that.

In order to reach the World Series of America’s Pastime, the Red Sox handed the ball to a Japanese pitcher to get the club to the promised land as Daisuke Matsuzaka, who had struggled in his other two postseason starts, tried to mimic what fellow starters Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling have been able to do.

He showed signs of brilliance in the first three innings, but needed fellow Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima to keep the Indians at bay in the later innings before Papelbon took over in the eighth with two on and no outs.

Matsuzaka finished five innings and allowed two runs on six hits, while Okajima worked two-plus innings and allowed three hits. Papelbon earned the save.

Like Games Five and Six, the Red Sox received a huge jumpstart from their top two hitters – Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis – in the first inning. After Matsuzaka retired the Indians in order in top of the first, the Red Sox pushed a run across in the bottom half for a 1-0 advantage.

Pedroia led off with a single to left, followed by a Youkilis single to left. David Ortiz struck out before Manny Ramirez provided an RBI-single. Mike Lowell singled to left to load the bases, but J.D. Drew couldn’t repeat his Game Six grand-slam performance, and grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Again, Matsuzaka retired the side in order in the second and the Sox’ offense responded in the bottom half with another run for a 2-0 lead. The third was much of the same, this time the Red Sox starter surrendered his first hit, a two-out single by the Indians’ Casey Blake, but Cleveland couldn’t convert.

Boston scored its third run in the bottom half after Youkilis led off with a double, reached third on an infield ground out by Ortiz and was stranded when the Indians intentionally walked Ramirez. Lowell answered with a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 advantage.

Matsuzaka began to struggle in the fourth when he allowed one run on two hits, and then Cleveland pushed across another in the top of the fifth to cut its deficit to one run, 3-2. He was finished after five innings and replaced with Okajima, who was solid in his two innings of work.

The lefty reliever was helped out big time with a couple of solid defensive plays, to go along with a few miscues by Cleveland.

With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Lugo committed an error when he dropped a Kenny Lofton pop up to shallow left field, allowing the runner to reach second. The Indians’ Franklin Gutierrez lined a base hit down the third-base line, and with Lofton rounding third in an attempt to tie the game, was held up by third-base coach Joel Skinner.

That proved crucial because Casey Blake grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the threat.

The Red Sox responded.

After Jacoby Ellsbury reached, and advanced to second, on an error by Blake at third that set up Lugo sacrifice bunt. That’s when Pedroia delivered his crushing two-run homer into the Monster Seats for a 5-2 lead, before the Red Sox scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for an 11-2 final.

This team was built for the postseason. It was built for the World Series. That’s exactly where Boston is heading.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:38 PM | Permalink

IN-GAME NEWS: Sox' Japan trip still up in the air

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Industry sources say the Red Sox' proposed trip to Japan to open the 2008 season has yet to be made official, though it continues to inch toward finality.

Major League Baseball is attempting to stage two games between the Red Sox and Oakland A's next March to kick off the season, but a number of issues must still be resolved.

Chief among those is the matter of player compensation. Red Sox players are said to be asking for more than the standard guarantee from the Japanese promoters.

The Major League Baseball Players Association, which is helping to broker the deal, has asked MLB to hold off on negotiations with the Sox' players until their season is complete.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 7:59 PM | Permalink

IN-GAME TIDBIT: Welcome to the breakfast show

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Major League Baseball expects record-setting ratings for the broadcast of Game 7 in Japan, which will begin at approxiamtely 9:20 Monday morning.

The presence of starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, of course, will contribute greatly to that number.

MLB has broadcast all of its postseason games in Japan for several seasons, but never before has a Game Seven featured a Japanese-born pitcher.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Pregame photos

Journal photo / Gretchen Ertl
A sign of the times outside Fenway Park tonight.

Journal photo / Gretchen Ertl
Boston fan Keith Doucette, of Brookline, Mass., ties on a headband in support of Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Posted by Rich Lee  at 7:09 PM | Permalink

PREGAME w/photo: First Mueller, now Millar

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Former Red Sox player Kevin Millar greets Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli during team warmups. Millar is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch tonight.

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Former Red Sox utilityman, and current Baltimore Oriole, Kevin Millar will throw out the first pitch tonight. His former World Series teammate in 2004, Bill Mueller, tossed out the first pitch prior to Game Six on Saturday.

The weird thing here is, Millar is still playing. And, for an A.L. East team. How he and the Red Sox were able to pull this one off is crazy.

"I don't get it," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona with a huge smile. "This is another one of those things where he can pull it off. He's a member of the Baltimore Orioles and he's going to be spurring on the Red Sox, and nobody is going to say a word. He'll probably bring the house down.

"I don't get it. I love it, but I don't get it. It's Millar. The whole place will be coming down. It's hilarious."

Since Millar left the Red Sox, he has kept in close contact with many remaining players, including Francona. Usually, when the Red Sox are on the road and going to a city where the Orioles just left, Francona will always find a "treat" on his desk. It usually stinks and is placed in a brown bag.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:07 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Westbrook offers a challenge

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- All the talk heading into this ALCS was the starting pitching from the No. 1 and 2 spots in the both club's rotations. It turns out, at least for the Indians, their best starter in this series has Jake Westbrook, who stifled the Red Sox in Game Three.

The veteran worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed just two runs on seven hits, and he's getting the ball again tonight.

"I don't think our approach was bad," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "I thought his approach to us was tremendous. He threw strike one and never threw down the middle. He was really good. I think we have to expect him to be really good again tonight."

If, for some reason, Westbrook isn't as good, Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said everyone in his bullpen is available to pitch, besides Fausto Carmona and Aaron Laffey.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:00 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Gagne enjoys a boost

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Embattled reliever Eric Gagne had a clean 1-2-3 inning in the ninth Saturday night, which naturally pleased Terry Francona.

''I'm sure he felt good about it,'' said Francona. ''He threw the ball well and it enabled us stay from everybody else (in the bullpen).

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 5:54 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Confidence high for Dice-K

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he didn't check with Daisuke Matsuzaka, tonight's Game Seven starter for Boston, when the right-hander arrived at the ballpark today, but the manager and the rest of the club has faith in him.

The Japanese import struggled in his two other postseason starts against the Angels in the ALDS and the Indians in Game Three of this series. Now, with a World Series berth on the line, the Red Sox will give him the ball.

"Daisuke is very excited about pitching and we're excited for him," said Francona. His teammates legitimately wanted to give him another crack. It honestly means a lot to us to play another game tonight and try to win."

Following Game Five in Cleveland, Matsuzaka sat at his locker in the clubhouse in disgust due to his brief 4 2/3 innings of work where he allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He didn't talk with the local, national or even the Japanese media, only releasing a statement that said he was disappointed.

"Daisuke is taking this kind of personally," said Francona. "He wants to do something to help our cause."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:53 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Crisp sits again -- despite matchup numbers

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Jacoby Ellsbury was in center field for the second straight game, but Terry Francona admitted that he gave some thought to playing Coco Crisp.

Crisp is 6-for-11 (.545) lifetime against Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook.

''I was aware of his history,'' said Francona. ''But he's having a tough time swinging the bat (3-for-21, .143 in the ALCS) and we had a good night (in Game Six), so I didn't want to go back the other way.''

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 5:50 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Rested Red Sox bullpen

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- With the exception of Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield, the rest of the Red Sox pitching staff is available for use tonight in the deciding Game Seven of the ALCS.

And while that includes a possible inning or two from starter Josh Beckett, the largest onus for securing Boston's second World Series berth in four years very well may rest with the relievers if starter Daisuke Matsuzaka should falter.

To that end, Boston's regular bullpen corps is rested and ready to go, but not necessarily rusty, thanks in part to the events of Saturday night's Game Six.

Javier Lopez worked a spotless inning, as did Eric Gagne, though Gagne likely will be one of manager Terry Francona's last options out of the bullpen tonight. Hideki Okajima warmed up as did Mike Timlin, and while they didn't get in the game, Francona said that activity helped chip away at any rust that might have developed from a lack of use in the series.

''We were able to stay away from some guys we might be able to extend tonight if we need to,'' said Francona.

Jonathan Papelbon didn't throw but pronounced himself ready to work multiple innings tonight.

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 5:48 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Ellsbury earns praise

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Red Sox rookie Jacoby Ellsbury made his postseason debut in Game Six on Saturday and played well as Boston blew out Clevleand at Fenway Park, 12-2.

A smart move on his part, Ellsbury wasn't available after the game to talk to the media, saying today he just wanted to get out of here. Meaning, he wanted to act as a classy individual and live by the moto of rookies should be seen and not heard, especially in the ALCS.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he was quite impressed with Ellsbury's performance.

''I thought he handled himself fine,'' said the manager. ''If you pick it apart a little bit, he probably could have got back to the wall [on a play in which he missed a ball hit off the wall] because he's athletic enough to make those plays. I didn't think he looked overwhelmed by what was asked of him, or we wouldn't have played him.''

Ellsbury went 1-for-5, including a RBI-single in the third inning.

''He had a real good at-bat against the left-hander and he didn't crush, but he stayed back and let the ball get to him,'' said Francona. "I think all the things we've talked about with Jake are true. He competes, and for a young player, put in that situation, I think that's pretty high praise. Just the fact we played him shows the amount of confidence in him.''

So much so, Ellsbury is back in the lineup tonight, replacing the struggling Coco Crisp again.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:42 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Different year, different personality

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Manager Terry Francona was asked to compare how his clubhouse would be prior to this Game Seven compared to the atmosphere before Game Seven of the 2004 ALCS.

The 2004 team, of course, was a self-described ''bunch of idiots,'' who were led by notorious free spirits Kevin Millar and Johnny Damon.

''Nobody will be as boisterous (as that bunch),'' said Francona. ''But that was their personality. Consistency is what you're looking for. You have to be who you are. J.D. (Drew) is not out (in the clubhouse) doing magic tricks.''

Francona said the atmosphere wouldn't be much different than it was for the last two games.

''It's the same as (Games) Five and Six,'' said Francona, ''because if we had lost those, we're going home.''

Prior to critical postseason games, Francona said he experiences the same sensation.

''Your heart's in your throat,'' he said, ''but you wouldn't exchange it for anything.''

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 5:36 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: No Cora for Lugo switch

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON --The Red Sox gave some consideration to replacing struggling shortstop Julio Lugo with Alex Cora for Game Six.

One of the reasons manager Terry Francona opted not to make that move was the speed that Lugo offers the team. If he gets on he's a stolen-base threat, which Cora is not.

Lugo whiffed his first time up in Game Six, but in his second at-bat, he grounded a two-run double inside the third-base bag, putting the Sox on top, 8-1, en route to a 12-2 victory that forced a deciding Game Seven tonight.

''I think that was huge for him,'' said Francona of Lugo, who was 1 for 4 in the game and still is batting just .182 (4 for 22) in the series.

''You don't want to make changes just to make changes,'' said Francona. ''You play your guys and hope they're good enough.''

Cora, meanwhile, may be good enough to play more on most teams, but he's a valued utilityman in Boston, and he accepts his role with maturity and good humor. He played the final inning of Game Six at shortstop, giving Lugo a little break. He has been in two ALCS games but has yet to receive an at-bat.

''He came in (to the manager's office) and said he was going to go home and work on his speed,'' said Francona with a chuckle. ''AC has been an unbelievable leader even though he hasn't gotten in much. He's on the top step of the dugout (rooting) for the guys. He knows what buttons to push on guys to keep them loose, make them laugh.''

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 5:33 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Everyone available except Schilling and Wakefield

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona said everyone is available to pitch tonight's Game Seven against the Indians, besides Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield.

That means there is a good chance ace Josh Beckett, who pitched Thursday's Game Five in Cleveland, will pitch if needed. Today would be the right-hander's normal day to throw a side session, so there's no reason he can't work tonight.

''Because he says he's available or wants to be available, doesn't mean we will create a situation for him to be available,'' said Francona. ''Saying that, you could see him in this game, but those are two different things. It's a lot to ask. We think he can do it, but we're not just going to try to create that situation.''

If Dice-K struggles, it's likely Francona will empty the bullpen in order to win. If the Japanese import pitches well, it will be business as usual.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:32 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Indians' statement on Byrd

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro issued a statement this morning regarding pitcher Paul Byrd.

A story in this morning's San Francisco Chronicle reported that Byrd, who won Game fOUR of this ALCS, purchased $25,000 worth of human growth hormone between 2002-2005.

''We aware of the story regarding Paul,'' said Shapiro. ''I have spoken with Paul about the situation, however, at this time I don't feel I have enough information to make any further comments on the matter. He has been an important member of this organization - on and off the field – over the last two years and we support him in this process.''

Byrd told Fox Sports.com that he took the hormone to combat a pituatary gland problem.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 4:33 PM | Permalink

PREGAME: Game Seven lineups

CLEVELAND
Grady Sizemore, cf
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2b
Travis Hafner, DH
Victor Martinez, c
Ryan Garko, 1b
Jhonny Peralta, ss
Kenny Lofton, lf
Franklin Gutierrez, rf
Casey Blake, 3b
---
Jake Westbrook, sp

BOSTON
Dustin Pedroia, 2b
Kevin Youkilis, 1b
David Ortiz, dh
Manny Ramirez, lf
Mike Lowell, 3b
J.D. Drew, rf
Jason Varitek, c
Jacoby Ellsbury, cf
Julio Lugo, ss
-----
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:26 PM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Garko talks big; Sox listen

BOSTON - Here are the words written on a bulletin board in the Red Sox clubhouse last night, attributed to Cleveland first baseman Ryan Garko.

''This Indian team is better than the Red Sox and will prove it once and for all in cramped Fenway Park. Sure a home field celebaration would've been nice but silencing Red Sox Nation in its House will be just as sweet.

''The champagne tastes just as good on the road as it does at home.''

Posted by Kevin  at 1:20 AM | Permalink | Comments 1

POSTGAME: Bill Reynolds -- Here's why home-field advantage matters

BY BILL REYNOLDS
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON – All those people who say home field advantage doesn’t matter?

All those people who say winning the division doesn’t matter, that all that matters is getting into the playoffs, using the evidence that the Marlins, Angels, and Red Sox were all wild card teams that have won the World Series titles in the past six years?

This is why the home field matters.

This is why the Red Sox have climbed back from the near-dead to even this series at three apiece. This is why the Red Sox will be a favorite Sunday night to return to the World Series for the second time in four years.

Why?

Because they have the home field and the home field matters, that’s why.

Last night was a great example.

The Red Sox in Fenway Park are an appreciably better team then they are on the road, Fenway like a Red Sox version of a some child’s personal sandbox. They hit better. They feed off the incredible energy that’s as much a part of Fenway Park as the Green Monster. They have a swagger they don’t have anywhere else. They own the night in ways they don’t do anywhere else.

Or as Curt Schilling said afterwards, ''I hope this pooh-poohs the notion around here that home field advantage doesn’t matter.''

No doubt.

Last night was an example of how important the home field can be, a night when it became more and more evident that the Indians had their chance Thursday night in Cleveland, up 3-1, their ace C.C. Sabathia on the mound, the same C.C. Sabathia who is a legitimate Cy Young candidate, given that the voting is done before the playoffs started. But Sabathia imploded, the Red Sox climbed out of their casket, and got the chance to come back to Fenway.

If the Indians do end up losing this series, it will not be this weekend that did them in as much as it was letting the Sox off the hook when they were down 3-1 in Jacobs Field with their ace with the ball.

For last night the game got away from as early as the first inning when the much-maligned J.D. Drew, the same J.D. Drew who has been a colossal bust all season long, got some much-needed redemption with a grand slam. That got the Sox off to a great start, a huge message to the Indians, who once again, for the second straight game, saw one of their aces fall apart.

This time it was Fausto Carmona, whose performance was remarkably similar to the one he had in the second game of the series, ineffective, unable to throw strikes when he had to, putting the Indians into the kind of hole they weren’t going to be able to climb out of.

Sabathia on Thursday night. Carmona last night.

The two Indian aces coming up empty back to back.

One of the big reasons this series is now tied, down to a final game.

The key reason the Indians will point to if they end up losing this series is the fact that in four of the six games already played they’ve gotten nothing out of their two aces.
Or what would you said if someone had told you that before this series started?

By the end of the third inning the game the suspense was as gone as a movie you’ve already seen. The score was 10-1, and the garbage time was beginning. Schilling had been a little shaky in the third, giving up two quick singles, but he settled down to get out of the inning, the game still 4-1, and by the time he came out an inning later the score was 10-1 and he didn’t have to be great, all he had to was manage the game.
Which he did, giving up only six hits in seven innings.

''He pitched the way we needed him to,'' Terry Francona said,

No doubt about that either.

But in the end last night really wasn’t so much about the Red Sox, Drew’s heroics not withstanding, but about the failure of the Indians to make the game competitive on a night in which the Sox were facing elimination. Giving up 10 runs in just three innings does that. Having one of your aces, a guy who won 19 games, self-destruct, does that, too.

How much does this had to do with the magnitude of the game, and how much did it depend on being in hostile Fenway Park?

Interesting question.

The Indians are a young team, and now they have let two chances to end this series go by.

''How much do you worry about the momentum that’s been built up the last two games and sort of stopping that and having them go into tomorrow with their heads clear?'' Indians manager Eric Wedge was asked.

''Well, you said it,’’ Wedge replied. ''It just has to stop and it has to stop tonight. They need to go to bed tonight with clear heads and think good thoughts and come here tomorrow expecting to win.''

Easier said than done, of course.

For the Indians will have to battle more than Dice-K Sunday night, and even more than the realization that they had the Sox down 3-1 and now this series is tied, and that curious thing in sports called momentum now all but sits in the Red Sox dugout. They are going to have to battle Fenway Park, too.

And that’s no small thing.

So for all those people out there who still think the home field doesn’t matter?

This is why it does.

Posted by Art Martone  at 1:17 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Drew goes downtown

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON - Jonathan Papelbon was convinced that J.D. Drew would lay off the pitch that all but iced Game Six of the ALCS for the Red Sox Saturday night.

Drew had worked Indians' starter Fausto Carmona to a 3-and-1 count but Carmona was struggling badly with his control. Drew, perhaps the Sox' most patient hitter, could've resisted the urge to swing at a fastball right down the middle fo the plate. Instead, he lined a lazer into the center-field stands for a grand slam and a 4-0 first inning lead. The Sox went on to cruise to a 12-2 win and force Game Seven.

''I'm thinking J.D.'s got to 3-1 and I turned and said, 'No way he's swinging at this one. Then he he got a big one. Wow he crushed it.''

Drew's hit was a very popular one in the Red Sox clubhouse. Julio Lugo knows all about the trouble Drew has faced in his first year as a player in Boston. Both men have struggled at the plate and heard boos from the Fenway fans. Last night, those boos turned to cheers.

''Change is tough, here or anywhere," Lugo said of joining the Sox. ''You're in the spotlight here every day but that doesn't matter now. It doesn't matter what happened yesterday or today. It's only what happens in the next game."

Posted by Kevin  at 1:10 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Papelbon ready to throw

By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON – Whether it takes one, two or even three innings, Jonathan Papelbon says he’s ready to throw. That’s the Red Sox’ reliever’s line of thinking heading into the first Game Seven of his major league career.

''I’ve got to be ready to go two innings or more. That’s what I’m thinking,'' the Red Sox closer said last night. ''I must be ready from the seventh inning on.”

Papelbon hasn’t pitched much in this series and the Red Sox still found a way to scratch back from a three games to one hole and force a 3-3 tie. Now he expects to get the ball and help nail down the pennant for the Red Sox.

''I still say that in the playoffs it’s 110 percent about momentum and right now we have a little momentum,” he said with a smile. “We have to keep it right from the start (Sunday).''

Papelbon dresses two stalls away from Daisuke Matsuzaka, the man Terry Francona will hand the baseball to start Game Seven. He’s encouraged the Japanese righty all week, telling him to get ready for another start because the Red Sox weren’t ready to lose just yet.

''I’ve got a ton of confidence in him,” said Papelbon. “He was kind of grinning in here when we won. I think he’s up for the challenge. I think he likes the challenge.”

Francona says his entire pitching staff will be ready and waiting to help Matsuzaka is he falters or runs out of gas after a good start. The relief staff could even include Josh Beckett for a spell.

''Obviously everybody is on hand pitching-wise. You use everybody,” said Francona. “You certainly go to different guys in the bullpen maybe earlier than you would in the regular season. But other than that, we’ll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we do every day. We’ll kick (Dustin) Pedroia’s (butt) in cribbage and try to win a baseball game.”

Posted by Kevin  at 1:08 AM | Permalink

UPDATED GAME STORY: Red Sox 12, Indians 2

By JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- All the Red Sox needed was to get back to Boston. Back to Fenway Park. Back in front of their fans.

Saturday night they showed why they love calling this place home.

Facing elimination from the American League Championship Series at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, the Red Sox responded in a monumental way en route to a 12-2 victory in front of 37,163 fans. The club is now one win away from advancing to its second World Series appearance in four seasons, with Game Seven of this series tonight at Fenway Park.

After winning Game One of this series, Boston dropped the next three before forcing the series back here with a victory in Game Five at Jacobs Field. Everything the Red Sox needed to happen Saturday night did. Every player the Red Sox needed to contribute did.

''To play in this environment, in this stadium in front of these people,” said Red Sox starter Curt Schilling, ''I would argue that you’ll never hear home-field advantage being pooh-poohed against this city. The crowd tonight from the first inning on, I thought had an incredible effect on me. I don’t know they effect other people, but it’s a privilege to be able to play here and experience this.''

The oft-booed J.D. Drew agreed.

He provided his biggest hit as a Red Sox, a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning. Then, in the third inning, he provided a RBI single and another single in the eighth inning. He certainly had his peaks and valley, mostly low points in his first season in Boston, and the fans made sure he knew how they felt. Red Sox Nation feels differently now.

''The atmosphere here was great,'' said Drew. ''It has been a tough year (personally). My expectations were high and I didn’t have the year I would have liked to have. I feel like I had a good September, I was getting things turned around, and just wanted to go into the playoffs and get good at-bats. In that situation, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was just one of those situations and I was very relaxed in the at-bat. With two outs I didn’t want to walk off the field without any runs. I was trying to hit the ball hard and it worked out great.''

Schilling was spotted a nine-run lead after three innings and cruised to victory, working seven strong innings and allowed just two runs on six hits with no walks and five strikeouts. The veteran right-hander threw only 90 pitches (60 strikes).

''We’re playing a Game Seven,” said Schilling. ''There’s nothing more fun in sports then a Game Seven, regardless of the venue.”

The Red Sox’ top two hitters – Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis – needed to get on base in order for the club to have success offensively. The Indians did a pretty good job keeping those two hitters off base earlier in the series, but both have come alive the last two games.

The pair combined for five hits and four runs to lead the way.

In fact, Pedroia sat in the Red Sox’ dugout prior to last night’s game and exuded confidence. Youkilis said after Game Five in Cleveland that the entire team was finding its groove. Those guys got it going again Saturday night, and the rest of the lineup followed.

''We scored 10 runs tonight,” said Schilling. ''This was just about our offense doing a phenomenal job of working counts, not being overly aggressive”

Boston pounded Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona for seven runs on six hits in two (plus three batters in the third) innings before the Sox took advantage of the Indians bullpen.

After Boston scored four in the first thanks to Drew’s grand slam, the Indians scored their first run off Schilling on a solo homer by Victor Martinez in the second inning. The Red Sox then pushed across six runs in the third and never looked back. Schilling surrendered only one other run in the seventh before his night was over.

Boston reliever Javier Lopez retired the side in order in the top of the eighth inning, before the Sox pushed across two more in the bottom half for a 12-2 advantage. The let reliever Eric Gagne finish things up in the ninth.

Now it comes down to one game. One team will advance to face the Colorado Rockies in the World Series, beginning Wednesday in either Boston or Cleveland.

The Red Sox go with Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Japanese import who has struggled in his first major-league postseason. If he has problems early, it’s a safe bet Tim Wakefield and Jon Lester -- and perhaps even Josh Beckett -- could work out of the bullpen. For the Indians, Jake Westbrook takes the hill after beating Dice-K and the Sox in Game Three of this series.

''We’re confident,” said Schilling. ''We’re going to lean on Daisuke and I believe he’s going to come out and do something special (today).”

It’s up for grabs. Fortunately for the Red Sox, they’re playing at Boston in front of their fans. As Red Sox manager Terry Francona said prior to the game, there’s nothing like Fenway Park.

''Tonight these fans brought something special,” said Mike Lowell. ''We’re going to need the same thing tomorrow. If you don’t enjoy playing in this atmosphere, you have to have your pulse checked.”

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:07 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Garko provides bulletin-board material

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Cleveland first baseman Ryan Garko may have utwittingly provided the Red Sox with extra motivation for Game Six.

Garko was quoted in a Cleveland newspaper two days ago in the Chronicle-Telegram, a Cleveland-area newspaper saying ''the champagne tastes just as good on the road as it does at home.''

The reference, of course, was to the celbratory champagne that winning teams drink in postgame parties.

Someone with the Red Sox took notice. The quote was posted on the back of the Red Sox clubhouse door yesterday for all to see -- just in case incentive was lacking in Game Six.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 12:52 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Sox call on another 2004 hero

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- The Red Sox announced late last night that Kevin Millar, the emotional ballast/clown prince from the 2004 championship team, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Game Seven.

Last night, the Sox called on Bill Mueller to do the honors.

Thought Mueller split last year between serving as an assistant to Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and being the team's hitting coach -- he replaced the fired Eddie Murray at mid-season, his playing career is over, due to knee problems.

The same can't be said for Millar, who vested an option for another season with the Baltimore Orioles last month. Wonder how Baltimore management feels about this?

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 12:48 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Big Papi Ready for Game 7

By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON – Covered with shiny gold and silver medallions and adorned with a giant Randy Moss Patriots jersey, David Ortiz pronounced the Red Sox ready for action in Sunday night’s Game Seven in the American League Championship Series.

Ortiz said the Sox are healthy and happy after watching Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling shut down the Indians and pitch Boston back into a 3-3 tie with the Cleveland Indians. Now it’s Daisuke Matsuzaka versus Jake Westbrook for the right to advance to the World Series.

''We’re not comfortable, we’re confident,” said Ortiz. “This is it. This is where you want to be. I like to be in this situation. There’s no tomorrow. Tomorrow the best team is going to win.''

Ortiz quickly corrected himself. He said Game Seven is not exactly fun but after falling behind 3-1 in the series, he’s more than happy to suit up for another game Sunday.

''I don’t like to get to Game Seven. I like to get it over earlier. It’s a lot of stress. Sometimes you get to over-do things. It’s not like you can fix it tomorrow. If you make any mistakes you have to wait until next year.''

Ortiz, who stroked a double and walked Saturday night and is hitting .368 in the series, said he was thrilled that his confidence in Schilling was rewarded.

''I told you guys. The man knows how to handle a big situation like that. He did what he normally does,” he said.

Now it’s Matsuzaka’s turn. After getting knocked around (4.1 IP, 4 R, 6H) in Game Three in Cleveland, Dice-K watched plenty of video and heard plenty of encouragement from his teammates. Now it’s his turn to contribute to the Red Sox’ ALCS comeback.

''I feel good,” Ortiz said when asked about Matsuzaka. “He’s watched a lot of video, trying to figure things out. Tomorrow’s a big day for him.”

Posted by Kevin  at 12:48 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Ellsbury follows rookie protocol, makes himself scarce in postgame crunch

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Like a true rookie, the Red Sox’ Jacoby Ellsbury did not address the local and national media following tonight's Game Six victory for Boston.

Ellsbury, who made his postseason debut as he replaced the struggling Coco Crisp, decided it was best to sneak away from Fenway Park unnoticed after his 1-for-5 performance, including his RBI and run scored. After all, rookies should be seen and not heard, especially in the ALCS.

But even though Ellsbury pulled a no-show in the clubhouse, his efforts this season have not gone unnoticed to his veteran teammates.

''Even the first day he was here he didn’t look overmatched,'' said third baseman Mike Lowell. ''I think what is impressive about him is he hasn’t seen live pitching in a while. He has something special. He has a different spark. The speed factor and not too many guys score from first base on a ball down the line in left field at Fenway, and he made it look easy. He definitely brings a different element to the game that’s exciting, and I think the fans feed off that. They like it a lot.''

The Red Sox do, too.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:44 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Wedge's postgame thoughts

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Somehow, deep down, Cleveland manager Eric Wedge had an idea that the Indians' ALCS best-of-seven series with the Boston Red Sox would come down to a deciding seventh game.

And it has. The Red Sox have climbed out of a 3-1 hole and bounced back for two consecutive wins, including a 12-2 romp Saturday night in Game Six that sends the teams into a Game Seven Sunday night at Fenway Park.

''It's going to come down to Game Seven against the two teams that won more baseball games (each team went 96-66) than anybody in the regular season, two teams that have beaten up on each other a little bit over the course of the past week and that's the way it should be. It's something everybody should look forward to,'' said Wedge.

From the Indians' standpoint, looking ahead certainly beats looking back at what forced Cleveland into a winner-take-all game, with a berth in the World Series at stake. The Indians failed to put away the Red Sox despite having Cy Young candidates C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona start in Games Five and Six, respectively.

Carmona failed miserably Saturday night, torched for seven earned runs in only two-plus innings. He almost worked out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the first, but coughed up a grand slam to J.D. Drew. Then in the third, he and reliever Rafael Perez combined to give up six runs, and the Red Sox' rout was on.

''(Carmona) didn't do a very good job of working ahead in the count. He had good stuff and almost worked through that (first) inning and J.D. got him,'' said Wedge. ''And then things sort of dominoed from there.''

The dominos began falling in the first inning when, from the Indians' point of view, Carmona was getting squeezed by plate umpire Dana DeMuth.

''Obviously we had some issues early on, but the umpires have a tough job,'' said Wedge when asked about DeMuth's strike zone.

''And particularly against a team like Boston or New York, teams that are very patient, you've got to make sure that when you're in command of the baseball and you're putting it on the plate that you're getting those calls. We felt like it (the strike zone) was a little tight. (Catcher) Victor (Martinez) was a little bit upset and I was a little bit upset, but that's part of it. We weren't exactly pounding the strike zone, either,'' said Wedge.

While the bottom of the first was troubling for Cleveland, the Indians also came close to taking a 1-0 lead on Curt Schilling's third pitch of the game in the top of the first. Grady Sizemore lofted that pitch high and deep to right. The Indians thought it sailed over the foul pole in fair territory, but the umpires called it a foul ball.

Had that ball been ruled fair, would the game have turned out differently?

''Hard to say,'' said Wedge. ''Obviously it would have given us a big boost right off the bat, but we still have to pitch. We still have to play defense (the Indians were charged with two errors). That's still the bottom line and we weren't able to do that. It just wasn't in the cards tonight.''

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 12:41 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: It's Matsuzaka....and Sake?

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Until this month, Daisuke Matsuzaka enjoyed a reputation as a terrific big game pitcher.

Now, after two subpar starts in his first postseason with the Red Sox, Matsuzaka gets a chance for the ultimate redemption. He'll pitch Game Seven Sunday night, with only the American League pennant on the line.

''I haven't seen him come up small in a huge game yet in his career,'' said Curt Schilling last night. ''I mean, all the games I've seen that he pitched in Japan, he hasn't been in a backs-against-the-wall, winner-go-home game here yet. I believe, based on his demeanor, he's going to do something special tomorrow.''

Matsuzaka struggled in Game Three, chased after 4 2/3 innings when he gave up six hits and four runs, and looked despondent after the loss, staring for a long time into his locker.

''Whether or not we had won or lost,'' said Matsuzaka, ''immediately following the game is a very important time period for me. Although I might have appeared very upset, I wasn't as upset as everybody thought.''

Matsuzaka watched Saturday night's Game Six with anticipation, knowing that he would be getting the ball if the Sox could force Game Seven.

''After the last few games,'' he said, ''I believed I was going to have a chance to throw again. My teammates kept insisting I would have another chance. So I'm going into it very excited.''

Matsuzaka has shone on the international stage, pitching in two Olympiads and the inaugural World Baseball Classic. But this will be different.

''I can't make a simple comparison to those other games,'' said Matsuzaka. ''But I just hope that I can pitch the same way as I did in those other opportunities.''

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 12:35 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Transcript of Curt Schilling's interview

Can you talk about the third inning with the first two runners reaching? What was your game plan starting with Sizemore?
I mean, that inning was pretty much a microcosm of the season. All the lessons that John has been working and drilling into my head, and all the things we've worked on kind of came into play within the sequence of five hitters. Got ahead, left some splits up early in the inning, and then really, the one thing he pounded into my head is focus on each pitch, execute pitch to pitch. I spent the next three hitters every pitch trying to make sure that I executed the pitch. You know, game plan-wise, Tek was perfect, and it worked out.

How gratifying is it to remain
undefeated in games where your team could potentially be eliminated from the series
I mean, it's five trips I would have taken earlier going home. I mean, it's nice. We're playing a Game 7. I mean, there's nothing, I think, funner in sports then a Game 7, regardless of the venue. We scored ten runs tonight. This was about our offense just doing a phenomenal job of working the counts, not being overly aggressive, and in a situation where you're in a must-win, which we are, were, offenses can press and pitchers can take advantage of that, and our offense stayed the same. You know, J.D. comes up with this incredible at-bat, and it was very gratifying night.

You said on FOX late in the game that you expected Daisuke to come up big tomorrow night, can you expand on that? And B, is there anything you would say to him tomorrow about preparing for this, or would you stay away from him or how would you handle that?
I haven't seen him come up small in a huge game yet in his career. I mean, all the games I've seen that he pitched in Japan, he hasn't been in a back-against-the-wall/winner-go-home game here yet. Tomorrow is the first day. I believe based on his make-up, based on his demeanor, he's going to do something special tomorrow. As far as what I would say to him, there's not a whole lot to say, win. Just go out and win. I'm expecting him to come up huge.

As you left the field in the seventh and reached the top step and waved your hat, what were you thinking as you approached the dugout?
How incredibly blessed I am, how -- I mean, those are the moments you don't ever forget. God gave me a chance to play professional baseball, which is a gift beyond anything you'd ever dream of. But to play in this environment, in this stadium in front of these people, you know, I would argue that you'll never hear home-field advantage being pooh-poohed again in this city. The crowd tonight from the first inning on I thought had an incredible, they had an incredible effect on me. I don't know how they affected other people, but it's a privilege to be able to play here and experience this.

Given everything that surrounded J.D., from the moment of his first moment that he was going to sign here, what was it like when he got back to the dugout?
Well, I know he got the (expletive) beat out of him (laughter), which was kind of cool. But you know what, that's one of the things that will always get Tito in trouble, and it's one of his strengths, his loyalty to his players. J.D. Drew is a special player. He did not have the year -- I'm sure he's not real proud of the year he had, but if it were anybody else, any of you, any of the media here, any of the fans that have railed on him for six months in the situations he's been in, you wouldn't produce because you'd be squeezing the bat, you'd be stressed. I think part of his personality that goes both ways with people, that upsets people and makes people have confidence in him is his ability, he is the definition of "even keel." I mean, he doesn't snap, he doesn't get too high, too low. He just goes up and he plays the game. And tonight that wins the game, that won the game. In a situation where he could have easily been pressing, and he didn't, and it was huge and it was exciting to see.

This warrior mentality that this team seems to have, is that something that's acquired or that you're born with, you either have it or you don't?
Well, from a team standpoint I think it's a combination of the personalities. This is a mix of players. I think from Jason's dedication to preparation to Pap's horrible dancing, there's extremes from a personality standpoint, and I think that works (laughter). I also think that we're very much channeling the fan base here in the sense that these fans are relentless, passionate, relentless, and they don't allow us to let up for an inning, a minute, and if we do we hear about it. So I think that's part of it.

Posted by Art Martone  at 12:32 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: History not with Indians

By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON – Seasoned Red Sox fans know all about the feeling that’s scrambling the stomachs of baseball fans in Cleveland right about now.

For 86 years, the Red Sox toiled without a World Series championship. The team’s mythic near-misses and painful collapses are the stuff of legend. Those decades of frustration were finally swept away in the fall of 2004 thanks to Curt Schilling, Johnny Damon, David Ortiz and the rest of the Boston’s fabled baseball idiots.

Now we have the Cleveland Indians. The last time the Tribe won a World Series, Bob Feller was firing his famous fastball but that still wasn’t enough to knock off the Boston Braves in six games. That was back in 1948.

The next 58 years were largely filled with seasons of ineptitude. In 1954, the Indians won the pennant but were swept in the Series by the New York Giants. The next appearance in baseball’s biggest show didn’t come until 1995 but Atlanta ended the dream that year.

Then came 1997, a year that will live in infamy for Indians’ fans. Ahead 2-1 in the ninth inning of Game Seven against the Florida Marlins, Cleveland’s bullpen couldn’t nail get the final two outs and the Marlins forced extra innings.

Edgar Renteria ended the second-longest Game Seven in World Series by singling off Charles Nagy in the 11th inning for a 3-2 win.

Now Cleveland baseball fans are on the verge of witnessing another painful near-miss. After beating the Red Sox three straight times to take a commanding 3-1 lead in this American League Championship Series, the Indians are letting another chance slip away.

First ace lefty C.C. Sabathia let a chance to close out the Red Sox in Game Five at Jacobs Field on Thursday. Then came a true disastrous effort last night.

Cleveland’s second starter, sinker-balling Fausto Carmona, failed to show up for the second time in the series as the Red Sox tattooed him right out of the gate and skated to a 12-2 win.

As soon as the rout ended, the Indians began washing the bad taste out of their mouths.

''It just has to stop and it has to stop tonight,'' said manager Eric Wedge. ''They need to go to bed tonight with clear heads and think good thoughts and come here tomorrow expecting to win.''

Posted by Kevin  at 12:31 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Postgame notes

GAME SEVEN HERE WE COME: With Boston’s win tonight, Game Seven of this 2007 ALCS will be played on Sunday at 8:23 p.m. ET…JAKE WESTBROOK will start for Cleveland, while DAISUKE MATSUZAKA will start for the Red Sox…Boston is the 1st club to fall behind 3-1 and force a Game Seven since the 2004 Red Sox rallied from an 0-3 deficit to beat the Yankees in seven games in the ALCS…It marks the 7th time in LCS history a team has rallied from 3-
1 to force a Game Seven…The home team has won Game 7 three of six times in LCS play, but the road team has won 2 straight…The last home team to win Game 7 came in the 1996 NLCS as Atlanta beat St. Louis, 15-0…Since the advent of the wild card in 1995, every postseason has featured a Game Seven, except for 1998.

-- J.D. DREW connected on his 1st home run of this postseason, a 1st-inning grand slam…It was the Red Sox 3rd career postseason grand slam, joining JOHNNY DAMON in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS (Oct. 20, 2004) and TROY O’LEARY (Oct. 11, 1999) vs. Cleveland in the 1999 ALCS…Drew’s grand slam is the 47th in postseason history, the 13th in LCS history and the 6th career ALCS grand slam, the 1st since JOHNNY DAMON, October 20, 2004 (Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS)…He becomes the 8th Red Sox player with 5 or more RBI in a postseason game, the first since Damon in the 2004 ALCS (team record is 7 RBI in a game).

BROTHERS DREW: J.D. DREW joined his brother STEPHEN DREW as the third set of brothers to homer in a postseason series with his 1st inning grand slam…CLETE and KEN BOYER both homered as opponents in the 1964
World Series, while ROBERTO and SANDY ALOMAR JR. both homered as opponents in the 1997 ALCS…STEPHEN DREW hit 2 home runs this postseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks…Other brother combos to have postseason
home runs (though not in the same postseason): MOLINA (BENGIE and YADIER), BOONE (AARON and BRET) and MEUSEL (IRISH and BOB).

BIG-RUN INNINGS: The Red Sox scored 6 runs in the 3rd inning, the 3rd time in this series one of these two teams has totaled 6 runs or more in an inning…Cleveland has twice scored 7 runs in an inning – the 11th inning in Game Two and the 5th inning in Game Four…The big innings mark the 1st time two teams have totaled 6 or more runs in 3 separate innings of one postseason series.

BIG TOTAL THROUGH THREE: Boston scored 10 runs through the 1st 3 innings, breaking previous record of 9 runs in the 1st 3, besting the total of 9 (4-4-1) done by BALTIMORE ORIOLES in Game Two of the 1979 ALCS.

OUTSCORING: Since the start of the 6th inning in Game Four, the Red Sox have outscored the Indians, 22-3…The 10-run margin of victory is the largest in an ALCS game since Game Three of the 2004 ALCS, when New York defeated Boston, 19-8.

-- CURT SCHILLING improves to 10-2, 2.25 (32 er/128 ip) in the postseason, the 9th player in history with 10 postseason wins…He now is 6-0, 1.15 (9 er/70.1 ip) in 9 postseason starts coming in Games Three through Seven of a series, posting a 5-0, 0.99 (7 er/63.1 ip) era in that span…In five starts with his team facing elimination, Schilling is 4-0, 1.37 era (6 er/39.1 ip).

FIRST PLAYER WITH TWO WALKS: MANNY RAMIREZ walked twice in the 3rd inning, the 1st player in LCS history to walk twice in an inning…Ramirez has 8 walks this series, 2nd most in ALCS history (FRANK THOMAS, 10, in 1993)…Ramirez had his LCS-hitting streak end at 15 games, going 0-for-2 with 2 walks.

-- FAUSTO CARMONA threw 36 pitches in the 1st inning…He lasted just 2.0 innings, plus 3 batters, surrendering 7 earned runs…The 2.0 innings mark was his shortest appearance since lasting 1.0 inning on June 27, while the 7 runs are one-shy of his June 27 appearance (8 earned runs) in the same game.

-- DAVID ORTIZ has hit safely in 14 straight postseason games, tied for 7th longest in postseason history.

-- JACOB ELLSBURY became the 5th rookie to start an ALCS game in centerfield, joining ANGEL MANGUAL (1971 A’s), FRED LYNN (1975 Red Sox), BOBBY BROWN (1980 Yankees) and JOHN SHELBY (1983 Orioles).

-- TRAVIS HAFNER becomes the 5th player in ALCS history to strikeout 10 or more times in a single series…He is hitless in his last 15 at-bats. AARON LAFFEY becomes the 6th player in ALCS history to toss at least 4.2 scoreless relief innings.

DOUBLE PLAYS: DAVID ORTIZ hit into Boston’s 11th GIDP of this series, establishing an LCS record for a series of any length…The GIDP marked the 17th GIDP this postseason, matching St. Louis for most in a single postseason, set in 2006. VICTOR MARTINEZ connected on his 2nd postseason home run, his 1st of this series.

SPREAD THE WEALTH: Nine different Red Sox players scored a run in tonight’s game, 2 shy of the ALCS record, Seattle vs. New York, Oct. 20 (Game 4) 2001 ALCS.

SUNDAY’S PRE-GAME FESTIVITIES: KEVIN MILLAR, a member of the 2004 Boston Red Sox championship team, will throw at the first pitch on Sunday, while DROPKICK MURPHYS will sing the National Anthem.

Posted by Art Martone  at 12:27 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Westbrook ready and willing for Indians

By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- When the ALCS began, most of the talk about the Cleveland Indians' pitching staff centered around the Tribe's dynamic top two, C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona.

Jake Westbrook? Well, he was the soft-throwing sinkerballing right-hander who was going to be given a start in Game Three. He wasn't an after-thought on the mound, but with Sabathia and Carmona having had such superb seasons that they were major Cy Young Award candidates, Westbrook's performances weren't exactly expected to tip the balance of the best-of-seven series the Indians' way.

But if Cleveland is going to advance to the World Series, it's going to be Westbrook who has to pitch like a star Sunday night at Fenway Park in the deciding Game Seven.

That's because Sabathia and Carmona were miserable in their two starts apiece, including Carmona's self-destruction Saturday night. The right-hander was cuffed for seven earned runs in two-plus innings as the Indians were routed, 12-2. Cleveland had a 3-1 lead with Sabathia and Carmona set up for the next two starts and now the series is even, with Westbrook taking the mound in Game Seven against Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Westbrook, who was masterful in a Game Three win, limiting Boston to seven hits and two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings in Cleveland, knows it's a tough assignment.

''They do have a very good lineup and it's going to be a challenge for us,'' said Westbrook. ''I think for me it's just a matter of having a good game plan, sticking with it, making some good pitches when I need to make them and do the best thing I can do, which is to try to keep them off-balance. Hopefully I can do that.''

Cleveland manager Eric Wedge says he has confidence in Westbrook.

''He did a good job for us earlier,'' said Wedge. ''We're just looking for him to go out there and give us a chance to win the ballgame. Jake has pitched some big games for us. He's aggressive. He knows what he needs to do to be successful. We need him to go out there and pitch his game and give us a chance to win.''

Westbrook, who was 6-9 with a 4.32 earned-run average in an injury-plagued 2007 regular season, has beaten the Yankees and the Red Sox in the postseason.

But those outings, while important at the time, pale in comparison to the Game Seven start.

''You can't get much bigger than that,'' said Westbrook of the assignment. ''It's going to be a challenge and there will definitely be a lot of emotions. But I'm excited about the opportunity to be the guy on the mound.''

The start is nothing to lose sleep over, he said. Well, maybe it isn't.

''I'll be able to sleep pretty well. It's already late so I'm pretty tired," said Westbrook.

He paused for a moment.

''I mean, I think I'll sleep pretty well," said Westbrook.

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 12:22 AM | Permalink

POSTGAME: Quick reaction -- J.D. Drew

On the curtain call after the grand slam
''I had a few of those in my career. None here so far, but, no, it was great.''

On the team's confidence level
''I think it's going to stay where it's been. But you still need good pitching, good defense and hits in the right situation.''

Posted by Art Martone  at 12:03 AM | Permalink