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POSTGAME: Coco's knee is fine. And happy.

By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Coco Crisp may have felt the last out of Sunday night’s pennant-winning game more than any other Red Sox.

With the 11-2 win over the Indians assured, Casey Blake drove a Jonathan Papelbon pitch deep towards the triangle in center field. Crisp ran hard to his left and made a running catch that left him sliding into the bullpen wall. As Fenway Park erupted, Crisp stayed on his knees, shook off the pain and began celebrating.

''I was really shook up, but my knee caught the padding out there. I’m OK,'' Crisp said as champagne flowed in the Boston clubhouse. ''I was feeling a little pain but it feels nice now.''

Crisp, who was benched in favor of rookie Jacoby Ellsbury in Games Six and Seven, is bound to be back in the starting lineup sometime early in the World Series, but just when will be one of Terry Francona’s toughest decisions. Crisp finished the ALCS hitting just .143.

Crisp’s defense is a major reason why the Red Sox captured their second A.L. title in four seasons.

''We try to prepare all season for this moment,'' he said. ''This was the first time all season we had our backs against the wall and we were resilient and we got the job done. We proved we can be the best team in baseball. Now we have one more step to go.''

Posted by Kevin  at 12:59 AM to McNamara | Permalink