Baseball Playoffs

Three of the four playoff division series were decided this weekend, and I was actually on hand to witness one of them, which was pretty cool.

In the American League, the Evil Stockings stuck it to the Halos last night behind Curt Schilling, to conclude their series sweep. Meanwhile, the Yanks stay alive for another game tonight beating the Tribe 8-4. Johnny Damon's 3 run dinger put the cap on a four run 5th to put NY ahead after they fell behind 3-0 due to an ineffective Rocket. Rookies Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain stepped up to shut down the Tribe after the nicked up Rocket (battling a bad hammy) was lifted in the third. Paul Byrd faces Ching Ming Wang tonight for Game 4.

In the National League, the Snakes sent the Little Bears home on Saturday 5-1 behind Livan Hernandez and the power of three dingers, including Chris Young's on the first first pitch, his second of the series. Steven Drew batted .500 for the series and also hit 2 bombs, including one on Saturday as well. Eric Byrnes also homered.

The Snakes are set to meet up with the division rival Stones on Thursday. I was on hand for Colorado's first playoff series victory in franchise history, and the citizens of the Mile High City were elated with their club. Rookie P Umaldo Jimenez threw 6 1/3 strong innings, then turned it over to the bullpen which continued to effectively close things out behind Brian Fuentes and Manny Corpas, who's saved 21 of 22 chances.

The Stupid's castoff 2B Kaz Matsui was the big series hero with 6 RBI, including a RBI triple in the fifth of the deciding Game 3. After Philly tied it up on Shane Victorino's 7th inning bomb to right, Stones Manager Clint Hurdle played yet another hunch and sent reserve 1B/OF Jeff Baker to the plate in the eigth with two men on and he responded with a clean single to score 3B Garrett Atkins for the eventual game winner.

It was the first game Colorado had won at home while scoring 2 runs or less since July 9, 2005. A very poignant moment came before the game, when the two sons of deceased AA coach Mike Coolbaugh, ages 5 and 3, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Coolbaugh was killed by a line drive to the neck on July 22nd of this year. The team has voted his pregnant widow Amanda a full share from the team's playoff bonuses.