The Holy War Chronicles

[AlecTrevylan006]

At the beginning of my freshman year of college last year, I decided to bring my NES with RBI baseball with me in desperate hopes of finding some RBI opponents. After a few weeks of intense play with lots of interest, only Mike and I maintained our interest. This became an intense rivalry over the rest of the year. We played a few hundred games, usually several a night, and the first "Regular Season" began in February of 2007. I led the regular season 60-50, but lost the World Series 4-1 in a disappointing matchup that I posted here last spring.

This summer, we decided to take it to the next level. He's a Yankees/Twins fan, I'm a Red Sox fan, so we edited a mod for the 2004 Postseason and after extensive tinkering we burned it to a cartridge. We played a few dozen games to get comfortable before starting the "2008 Fall Season".

We play anything goes, except for an infield fly rule. While I basically picked teams at random last season, I always play as the Sox now, and he always plays as the Yankees, spawning "the Holy War".

In this topic I will chronicle the season down the stretch and the postseason, with a few specific game descriptions and other notes.

2004 Red Sox vs. 2004 Yankees
LET THE HOLY WAR BEGIN.

Or continue actually.

[AlecTrevylan006]

PLAYER PROFILES:
~~MIKE~~
Mike is a huge Yankees/Twins fan. In the original he plays exclusively as the Twins, but in the 2004 mod he is the Yankees every single game. He always starts El Duque. He pulls him for Mussina around the 6th inning or so. Rivera comes in for the saves when necessary, while he hates Gordon with a passion. He did the same thing with Viola/Bly in the original game.

STRENGTHS: Taking an early lead, pressing the advantage, hitting homeruns, keeping the batter off balance
WEAKNESSES: Fielding, bullpen, late innings, bad breath, poor fashion sense

~~ALEC~~
I am a long time RBI player and Boston fan, but it didn't seem very fair to play as them so I drew out of a hat all of last year and basically played teams at random, but now I play every game as Boston. I use an unofficial 1-SP rule for myself, which may contribute to my "golden touch" in extra innings (12-1 so far this year). I'm also damn good looking.

STRENGTHS: Baserunning, fielding, extra innings proficiency, good looks
WEAKNESSES: Tendency to serve up a meatball immediately after a frustrating play against me, striking out too much, streaky hitting

[AlecTrevylan006]

THE LINEUPS...
~~~Boston~~~
STARTERS:
Johnny "Judas/Matt" Damon: Fast. Flashes of power. Otherwise he's just gonna ground out. Constantly. At least he's not Ben Affleck.

Orlando Cabrera: He has a magical ability to make sac bunts turn into double plays. Don't even ask.

Manny "Bad Mang" Ramirez: I'll just quote Manny's 2007 ALCS Game 2 postgame conference "[heavy accent] Varitek came up to me in the clubhouse today, and he said... he said "choo know manny, choo never leave fengway widout a homerun", and I said "choo know it" ... he's one of the best closers in the game but I'm one of the best hitters, and when you hit a ball like that, that's when choo know you're a bad mang. I occasionally take a slow trot around the room after hitting a homer with him. Even in a 10-1 game.

David "Big Papi" Ortiz: Mike has compared his hatred for David Ortiz with most of the world's hatred of Hitler. This has been exacerbated by many clutch homeruns, a game where he hit homers in 4 consecutive at bats, and the fact that he's much, MUCH better hung than Mike. Ortiz has been pegged more times than the rest of the team combined, and only about half of them are situational.

Jason Varitek: Yes, the lineup got quite awesome for... two players. Now it goes back to mediocre. Sure, he's not a bad hitter, but I need more out of a 5 spot. I'm pretty sure he has more GIDPs than hits, but with Manny and Ortiz in front of him, the fastest man in the world could ground into a double play to the center fielder on an 8-5-4 double play.

Trot "Irony" Nixon: Trot is called irony, because it's rather ironic that he's named Trot but so rarely trots around the bases. He sulks back to the dugout much more, but "Sulk" Nixon isn't as catchy. Basically he exists just to make absolutely sure that any rally by the big guys that has not come to fruitition dies a painful death by sodomy. And not just any sodomy. Like, being sodomized by a pack of velociraptor.

Bill "Gedman" Mueller: Bill Mueller is the spiritual successor to Rich Gedman. Every time Mike would have a late lead against Boston in the original, Rich Gedman "Destroyer of Dreams" would blast a homer. Though this Boston team is not nearly as infallible, Bill Mueller has a tendency to blast homers at inopportune times for my opponents, such as when they're carrying a no hitter into the bottom of the ninth of a 1-0 game.

Mark "Bellwhore" Bellhorn: The guy was a league leader in strike outs and hit second for most of the season in 2004. Luckily, he grounds out softly instead now.

THE BENCH:
Kevin "Cowboy Up" Millar: Usually comes in for Bellhorn midgame or whenever runners are on. Fairly solid player.

Dave "Faster Black Man" Roberts: If only we could pinch run. He rarely gets on base with his crappy hitting, but if he grounds into a forceout he can at least steal second and sometimes third.

Doug "Alphabet" Mientkiewitcz: Can anybody really spell his name? I don't. I bet he spends all that time on the bench coming up with acronyms for it. Because he's never on the field. I actually tried to pinch hit the pitcher for him once. Sadly, it was unsuccesful. True story.

Gabe "Hebrew Hammer" Kapler: Decent pinch hitter. Awesome jew.

THE STAFF:
Curt Schilling: Power pitcher. Good stamina. Mike hates him and wishes to cathadorize him with barbed wire.

Pedro "Your Daddy" Martinez: Never allowed to start in Yankee stadium. Great control, stamina could use some help, velocity tends to dip mid game. Always comes through in relief in extra innings.

Tim "Knuckleball' Wakefield: His knuckleball has yet to be scored on, he average 2 strikeouts per inning, and has a WHIP under 1.00. He only pitches when absolutely necessary, and rarely more than one inning

Keith "WTF" Foulke: Keith Foulke has a pact with the devil. You see, he's a decent pitcher but not too great. In fact, he almost always blows the game with his pitching. Leads of two runs or less seem to disappear, and stressful tie games quickly get "less stressful" by being untied immediately. But he doesn't lose. In fact, Keith Foulke has blown the game in roughly a third of the games that he has appeared in, but the team has only lost two of those games. He gave up 5 runs in the top of the 10th in one game, yet got the win. Foulke blowing the game is actually viewed as a sure signal that his team will win. Which makes us question... WTF

~~~New York~~~
STARTERS:
Derek "GIDP" Jeter: Occasional homers, a few doubles, and then double plays. Lots of them. Even with the bases empty. Also seems to have an uncanny ability to reach on errors.

ARod: Smashes the ball, hits lots of homers, but tends to choke. On cocks.

Gary "Sheff-Boy-R-Dee" Sheffield: He would fit in very well on the original Red Sox what with his ridiculous right handed power. He is especially frustrating because whenever I strike out Arod, he figures me out and wails on the ball. Oh, btw, in the previous description, that was a blow job reference and a questioning of his sexuality in case you missed it.

Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui: Another big homer hitter, rounding out the big 4. It happens. Basically the top of this lineup crushes balls like Hillary Clinton's fists.

Bernie "NO!" Williams: Bernie is the Laudner of this game. He will get out every single time. Unless the other pitcher takes him for granted. So, if Matsui is walked to face Bernie, the next pitch will be out of the park. Then he'll sit on his ass for another few days til you go back to assuming he's an out. Named for the scream of anguish when he grounded into a game ending triple play with a one run deficit.

"Hip hip Jorge" Posada: Occasional longball, but usually just grounds out.  Not really interesting.

John "Dark Helmet" Olerud: This guy doesn't actually get at bats much anymore. See Lofton.

Cairo: Sucks. See Giambi.

BENCH:
Kenny "Fast Black Man" Lofton's: Kenny is fast and hits the ball well enough to get a good number of doubles. Still no world series ring though.

Jason the Giambino: Lame name. Lame person. Hits a home run one in every twenty at bats, strikes out nine times, grounds out ten times.

Ruben Sierra: Sucks.

Tony Clark: Sucks.

THE STAFF:
El Duque: Hi, I start the game with a good fastball and curveball.

Mike "Moose" Mussina:  Hi, I pitch in relief with good control and decent speed.

Mariano "Mo'"" Rivera: Hi, I'm the closer, but I rarely actually come in because Mussina usually still has gas and pitches as well if not better than me, and Mike wants to save me for emergencies. I enjoy pina coladas and midnight walks on the beach.

Tom Gordon: Hi. I'm unloved. Although my fastball is hotter than Jessica Alba, it's flatter than Kiera Knightley's chest. The only thing about me that is straight is my curveball's crappy movement. If I were as good at pitching as I were at getting men... well, I'd still fail, but maybe in a more dazzling way.

[AlecTrevylan006]

11/26/07
Coming into today, the season series was Yankees-15, Red Sox-13

Mike won the first game on a Arod homer to lead off the ninth, then proceeded to smash Schilling (Arod hit homers in his first two at bats of this game for three in a row), and won a third game when 2 computer errors and a failed tag of second on a double play allowed the lead run to score. I finally won one behind a multi-homer performance by Manny.

We decide to do one more before going to work. Schilling (Bos) @ El Duque (NYY)
Boston leads off with a double and gets an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. The Sox would be held to 2 hits over the next eight innings. The Yankees got scattered base runners but rarely advaSnced them until Sheffield hit a homer to straight away center in the 7th to knot the game at 1. Keith Foulke came in in relief to get Schilling out of the jam. El Duque left after 7 innings with the no decision.

The Sox got nothing going with Mussina on the mound. With the heart of the order due up in the bottom of the 9th, Wakefield came in and promptly gave up a hit and a walk in an uncharacteristic display, before striking out the side to send the games into extras.

Pedro pitched brilliantly in relief for the Red Sox from his entrance in the 11th until the end of the game. Mussina put up a gutsy performance, and Gordon was strong at first. Both teams had opportunities, including a man loaded one out jam in the bottom of the 14th, a leadoff double in the bottom of the second, and a bases loaded 2 out situation in the top of the 13th.

The Red Sox broke through against Gordon in the 17th. A potential double play ball was fumbled on a bop, leaving men safe at first and second, and a 2-out double scored the run for a 2-1 lead.

The Yankees struck back against the tired Martinez when they led off the 11th when Derek Jeter took two bases on an error, but he was out on a fielder's choice on Arod's ground ball. Sheffield flew out to the warning track before Matsui singled to put two men on with two outs. Williams scorched a  line drive towards the gap, but it was snagged by firstbaseman to end the game. 

Said Yankees Manager Mike after the game, "[expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] **** [expletive deleted] hole [expletive deleted] in the [expletive deleted]ing [expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted] with a side of tuna."

Schilling: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 Ks, 1 HR
Foulke: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
Wakefield: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks
Martinez: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 6 Ks, Win
TOTAL: 17.0 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 17 Ks, 1 2B, 1 HR

El Duque: 7.0 IP,  4 H, 1 ER, 8 Ks
Mussina: 7.0 IP, 1 BB, 7 Ks
Gordon: 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 K
Rivera: 0.1 IP, 1 K
TOTAL: 17.0 IP, 10 H, 1 BB, 18 Ks, 2 2B, 3 SB

End of the day standings:
Yankees: 18
Red Sox: 15

[TβG]

this is awesome.  such stamina, such devotion.

[AlecTrevylan006]

Tonight's games...

Game 1, NYY 1 @ Bos 7
Boston starts off strong with a leadoff double, sacrifice, and a single to score a run. Boston tacked on two on back to back errors in the 3rd, and scored another pair in the 6th on a fly ball that the fielder misplayed. New York got one back on a Gary Sheffield homer to straight away center over the scoreboard in the top of the 7th, but Trot Nixon (for once in his life) took a trot around the bases in the bottom of the inning. The Red Sox tacked on another run in the eighth, and went on to win 7-1. Pedro Martinez went the distance with an uncharacteristically low 2 Ks, but was quoted saying after the game "screw my ERA, I just wanted that damn game over with'

Game 2, BOS 2 @ NYY 4
The Yankees struck quickly, with two homers in the first inning. Red Sox starter Curt Schilling was chased from the game after 4 consecutive singles in the 7th, but Keith Foulke came in and induced a double play to end the inning. Yankees ace El Duque pitched 7 solid innings before being relieved by Mike Mussina. The Red Sox scraped across a run in the 8th, and in the top of the 9th they scored a run and put the tying run on base with 3 base hits, but Orlando Cabrera grounded out to end the game.

Game 3, NYY-3 @ BOS 2
Jason Varitek homered and Bill Mueller had an RBI in the 2nd inning to stake Boston to a 2-0 lead, and Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez shut down the Yankees for the first 6 innings. But he was hurt by the defense behind him in the 7th, when a potentially inning ending double play ball up the middle was kicked by the second baseman, putting two men on. Keith Foulke came in in relief, and the Yankees called for a pinch hitter for Miguel Cairo. Enter Ruben Sierra. Exit baseball. The Yanks handed a 3-2 lead to Mike Mussina. He gave up a single and a double in the eighth, but Johnny Damon got caught in a rundown between third and home and was called out with David Ortiz on deck to end the inning. Moose put down the side in order in the 9th to pick up the save.

Red Sox manager Spencer could not be reached for comment, as he was attempting to recruit Rich Gedman, Destroyer of Dreams, to join the team.

[AlecTrevylan006]

~~~~New York with a 5 game lead in the Middlebury League with only a week and a half left in the season~~~


Yankees - 4 (El Duque) @ Red Sox - 3 (Pedro)
-In a sloppy game by both sides, the Yankees prevailed 4-3 in a manner which this reporter can't particularly remember. All I remember is getting a long single with two on in the top of the 2nd with no outs and passing the runner at first because I thought it was out, resulting in 2nd+3rd 1 out instead of bases loaded no outs. Damnit.

Red Sox -6 (Schilling) @ Yankees -4 (El Duque)
-Red Sox were ahead 4-3 when Wakefield came in in the 7th to face the heart of the Yankees lineup, and gave up his first earned run and got his first blown save on a homerun into the flowers. Red Sox promptly responded with two homers in the next inning from Ortiz and Nixon though to give Wakefield the win.

Red Sox - 2 (Schill) @ Yankees - 3 (El Duque)
-Sheffield got a homer in the 1st, but the Red Sox responded in the 4th with a solo shot by Ramirez. The Yankees loaded the bases to force Schilling to the showers in the 6th, and they greeted Keith Foulke with a bloop single to score two. Millar hit a pinch hit homer in the 7th to close the gap to one, but they could get no farther. Tim Wakefield threw a perfect bottom of the eighth against the heart of the Yankees lineup to keep Boston in the game, but Mussina put down the side in order in the 9th for the save.

NOTES:

My decline from greatness continues. If I want to take the season series, I have to really get my act together. I could win the next 4 series and still trail. My pitching has been sloppy, especially when I get distracted, and my hitting just isn't there (it doesn't help that I underpowered this team...). Worst of all though is my fielding. I can't remember my fielding ever being this bad. That's the biggest thing. I might be able to work my way around his solo shots, but I can't afford to give him free runs.

[Briznock]

This is outstanding.... If only it weren't the two teams I want to crash team planes into each other.

[AlecTrevylan006]

Boston - 4 (Schilling) @ New York - 5 (El Duque)
Yankees jumped out early on an Arod homer in the first, but the Red Sox tied it up on a pinch hit Kevin Millar homerun in the 3rd. The Red Sox tacked on another two runs on RBI hits by Damon and Varitek in the 5th and 6th, but Ruben Sierra hit a pinch hit homer in the bottom of the 6th to knot the game at 4. Keith Foulke came in in the 7th with two men on and allowed a bloop single to put the Yankees on top, 5-4. In the top of the 9th, the Red Sox put Dave Roberts on 3rd and Damon on 1st with 1 out. Cabrera popped up  but the ball with misplayed, which would have allowed Roberts to score, but he didn't risk tagging up on the infield fly and the Yankees made it 2 outs with the force at second. Ramirez struck out to end the game.


New York - 5 (El Duque) @ Boston - 4 (Pedro)
Ramirez singled and Ortiz homered in the first to give Boston a two run lead, but Ruben Sierra hit a pinch hit two run homer (second of the night...wtf when did he start being able to hit?) to tie the game at 2 in the 5th. Arod and Matsui homered in the 6th to stake a 2 run lead, and Sheffield bombed another in the 7th to make it 5-2. The Red Sox got 4 consecutive two out singles, capped by the 2-RBI base hit by Ramirez to make it 5-4 in the bottom of the inning, but the Yankees escaped further damage. The Sox put Dave Roberts on third with two outs, but Cabrera grounded to first to end the game.

NOTES: I am now 7 back, so looks like I can kiss that season series goodbye. I could sweep the next two sets and still be trailing. I can't believe I've dropped this far... ah well. At least I'll have my chance to do well in the world series.

Notes to self: Pitch around Sierra. Don't give Sheffield anything on the inside. Pull pitchers earlier, and use both starters if necessary. Stop losing games.

[AlecTrevylan006]

11/30/07

Boston - 2 @ NY - 7 (7 Innings)
Yankees score early and often before the game is "rained out" in the 6th inning.

NY - 2 @ Bos -1
The Red Sox scored in the fourth on a Varitek solo shot. Pedro was exhausted and was replaced by Keith Foulke to start the sixth. Foulke promptly allowed a 3-0 single to Arod, and a 3-1 monster shot to straight away center to Sheffield. The Red Sox put men on third in the seventh and eighth with less than 2 outs, but were unable to send them home. Tim Wakefield pitched another perfect inning in relief in an attempt to keep the Sox in the game.

Bos - 13 @ NY - 0
The first seven Boston batters reached and 4 runs scored before the Yankees could record an out, and they eventually scored 6 in the first. The Red Sox scored two more in the 2nd and 5 in the 5th. Manny Ramirez homered twice and tripled, Orlando Cabrera hit an inside the park homerun, and Johnny Damon was 4-4. Schilling held the Yankees to one hit over 5 innings before the game was called.

NOTES: 6 games back, so that's not good, but at least I got a win, and got some runs somehow. First mercy victory on this version. Oh, and don't drink an "Axe Murderer"

[AlecTrevylan006]

Finally a winning night!

Bos (Schilling) - 2 @ NYY (El Duque) - 7
While I was multitasking a game of Risk on the computer and RBI, he took a 5-1 lead on a Matsui 2 run homer and a Lofton 2 run homer in the 5th, so I stopped trying. Ortiz homered, as did Matsui, Arod, Lofton, and Sheffield.

NYY (El Duque) - 1 @ Bos (Pedro) - 7
Boston jumped scored 3 in the first, all on singles. The Red Sox had no homers. Pedro gave up only a solo homerun (to Arod) and 3 base hits over 8 innings.

NYY (El Duque) - 1 @ Bos (Pedro) - 2
Pedro Martinez retired the first 11 batters while the Yankees gave up three hits over the first three innings, but the scored was knotted at zero after 5. Jeter hit a two out solo shot in the 5th to untie it, but the Sox got a run on a stolen base and two ground outs to tie it back up. Foulke came in in the 7th to shut down the Yankees for two innings, and Wakefield struck out the side in the top of the 9th. Wakefield kept the Yankees scoreless in the top of the 10th, and with no pinch hitters left, he singled with one out. Damon singled to left, and took second on the throw as Wakefield moved to third. Cabrera knocked Wakefield on an infield single. Wakefield got the win and the game winning run.

[AlecTrevylan006]

Played some more games tonight, and combined with other games that I've missed in days past, the tally is now

Yankees - 24
Red Sox - 20

Now to continue closing in...

[AlecTrevylan006]

I hit a shit streak soon after that last post. Got swept the other night, 1 run over 32 innings.

Tonight...

Game 1 @ Boston
Pedro gives up two runs over the first two frames. In the bottom of the second, Millar pinch hits and is intentionally walked to reach the hitter. Boston tried to capitalize by pinch hitting Gabe Kapler, but he struck out with the bases loaded. Curt Schilling was forced to pitch the rest of the game, giving up a two run bomb in the 5th. Manny homered in the bottom of the 5th, Millar in the 6th, and Manny homered again in the 7th. Ortiz singled and Varitek doubled to put the tying run on third with no outs, but a pop out, strike out and ground out ended the threat. Mussina shut it down for a final of 4-3.

Game 2 @ Yankees
Damon tripled and Manny doubled over the head of the center fielder to get the Red Sox an early run, but Sheffield came back with a homer to tie it in the 6th. The Yankees loaded the bases with one out and worked a 3-1 count in the bottom of the 8th, but Foulke struck out Matsui looking and Williams swinging to escape the jam. Varitek lined a towering homer down the line high over the pole for a homer in the top of the 10th, and Pedro Martinez struck out the side in the bottom of the inning to end the four game losing streak.

Game 3 @ Boston
Pedro Martinez pitched a dominant game until he tired in the 6th. With a man on first, a curveball that didn't curve was slammed to right by Matsui to put men on first and third. Pedro got Bernie Williams to hit a weak grounder to first, but the first baseman dropped the ball to allow a run to score. In the 7th inning, Kenny Lofton led off with a single. A potential double play ball to short was dropped, allowing Cairo to reach. El Duque popped a ball into right, which was promptly dropped for the third error in five batters, allowing a second run to score. El Duque made the runs stand up with a 2 hit complete game shut out. Pedro got the loss, allowing 4 hits an unearned run over 6 innings. When reached after the game, Pedro Martinez reportedly said "well that sucks"

Yeah, the regular season is out of my mind now, I'm just warming up for the world series, starting friday. I'll be having full scorecards/play by plays of the world series games

[AlecTrevylan006]

Tonight's probably just one game, but it was frustrating enough to post here...

Red Sox - 0 @ Yankees - 2

El Duque carried a perfect game through 5, and Pedro gave up 1 hit over the first 6. In the 7th, a fielding error where the ball bounced over the charging left fielder allowed Matsui to reach 3rd with no outs. Williams walked, and Posada grounded to the pitcher, advancing Williams to second. Lofton popped out to the catcher for the second out. Sierra pinch hit and hit a weak grounder to short, but the shortstop botched the play and allowed the run to score. Giambi walked and Jeter grounded out to end the inning. Wakefield came in for another 3 batters, 3 strikeout performance to keep the game close, but the Red Sox offense could get nothing done. Foulke gave up a solo homer to Sheff in the 9th on a straight pitch, with the bottom of the Sox order coming up, who went down in order.

NOTES: Two consecutive games decided on errors. I wouldn't have straight pitched the 9th if not for that damn run... wtf. I almost managed to get out of man on third, no outs, and that happens. Bull shit.

[AlecTrevylan006]

Yesterday (Wednesday) was probably the last day of the regular season. If that is true, the Yankees won the season 38-32.

Tommorow will probably be a day off, and first pitch for the World Series is scheduled for 3 PM Friday, with Curt Schilling tentatively scheduled to face El Duque in Yankee stadium in the best of 7 series.

[AlecTrevylan006]

EL DUQUE, MUSSINA OUTDUEL SCHILLING TO TAKE 1-0 WORLD SERIES LEAD
It turned out to be a pitching duel in the World Series opener on Friday afternoon. Curt Schilling was starting for the Red Sox against the Yankees' El Duque. Schilling started off well, giving up only one hit in the first 6 innings. After a rough second inning where he loaded up the bases on 2 infield hits and a hit by pitch but escaped the jam, he settled down until the 6th. Hernandez was pulled for Mussina after giving up a leadoff single to Ramirez in the 6th, and Mussina broke the rally.

Mussina ran into trouble the next innning, when Nixon reached on an error and stole second before advancing to third on a single by Mueller (who advanced to second on the throw). With men on second and third and no outs, Mussina came through in the clutch with three straight strikeouts to escape the jam. This turned out to be the turning point of the game, as Arod led off the 7th with a homerun to take a one run lead. While the Yankees got no more offensive action for the rest of the game, it turned out to be enough. The Sox mounted a rally in the ninth with a one-out double, but it amounted to nothing as Kapler struck out to end the game.

Mike Mussina (1-0, 0.00 ERA) got the win in relief, while Curt Schilling (0-1, 1.13 ERA) got the loss, despite allowing only 3 hits in a complete game effort.

Red Sox manager Spencer was interviewed after the game and said "That was a tough loss to take... but you win some, and you lose some. For example, you win two days ago and then lose these 4. That's just how things work sometimes"

Yankees manager Mike could not be reached for comment, as he is a whore, and was awarding ARod with some congratulatory sexual acts.

________________________________
..............1.2.3....4.5.6....7.8.9...R H E
RED SOX...0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 6 0
YANKEES...0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 1 0 X | 1 3 1
________________________________

RED SOX
J. Damon: 0-4, 3K
O. Cabrera: 0-4, K
M. Ramirez: 2-4, K
D. Ortiz: 0-2, K, 2 BB
J. Varitek: 0-4, GIDP
T. Nixon: 1-4, K, SB, Reached on Error
B. Mueller: 3-4, 2B, K
M. Bellhorn: 0-0
a.) K. Millar: 0-3, HBP, K
C. Schilling: 0-3, K
b.) G. Kapler: 0-1

YANKEES
D. Jeter: 0-3
A. Rodriguez: 1-3, HR, R, RBI
G. Sheffield: 1-3, 2K
H. Matsui: 0-3, 2K
B. Williams: 0-3, K
J. Posada: 1-3
J. Olerud: 0-2
a.) K. Lofton: 0-1, K
M. Cairo: 0-2
b.) R. Sierra: 0-1, K
O. Hernandez: 0-1
i.) M. Mussina: 0-2

PITCHING
~Red Sox~
C. Schilling: L (0-1), 8.0 IP, 3 H, 7K, HR

~Yankees~
O. Hernandez: 5.0+ IP, 4 H, BB, HBP, 6K
M. Mussina: W (1-0), 4.0 IP, 2 H, BB, SB, 4K, 2B

ATTENDANCE- 3
T- 0:15
LEFT ON BASE- Red Sox: 10  Yankees: 2
DOUBLE PLAYS- Yankees 1 (Cairo-Jeter-Olerud)
ERRORS- M. Cairo
DOUBLES- B. Mueller (1)
HOME RUNS- A. Rodriguez (1)
WALKS- D. Ortiz 2 (2)
HIT BY PITCH- K. Millar
RUNS- A. Rodriguez
RBI- A. Rodriguez
STOLEN BASES- T. Nixon (1)
STRIKE OUTS- J. Damon 3, O. Cabrera, M. Ramirez, D. Ortiz, T. Nixon, B. Mueller, K. Millar, C. Schilling, G. Sheffield 2, H. Matsui 2, B. Williams, K. Lofton, R. Sierra
GIDP- J. Varitek

Boston (Schilling) @ New York (El Duque)

**Top 1**
Johnny Damon strikes out swinging
Orlando Cabrera strikes out swinging
Manny Ramirez strikes out swinging

**Bot1**
Derek Jeter grounds out 4-3
A-Rod grounds out 5-3
Gary Sheffield reaches on single to left
Hideki Matsui strikes out swinging

**Top2**
David Ortiz flies out F7
Varitek ground out 5-3
Nixon reaches on infield single
Bill Mueller reaches on infield single, Nixon to second
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH Kevin Millar Replaces Mark Bellhorn, Batting 8th~~~
Kevin Millar reaches on hit by pitch, Mueller to second, Nixon to third
Curt Schilling grounds out 3u

**Bot 2**
Bernie Williams grounds out 5-3
Jorge Posada grounds out 3u
Olerud grounds out 4-3

**Top 3**
Johnny Damon flies out F8
Orlando Cabrera pops out F1
Manny Ramirez reaches on single
David Ortiz reaches on walk
Jason Varitek flies out F7

**Bot 3**
Miguel Cairo grounds out 5-3
El Duque flies out F7
Jeter grounds out 6-3

**Top 4**
Nixon strikes out swinging
Mueller strikes out swinging
Kevin Millar flies out F7

**Bot 4**
ARod flies out F8
Sheffield strikes out swinging
Matsui strikes out looking

**Top 5**
Curt Schilling grounds out 5-3
Johnny Damon strikes out swinging
Cabrera grounds out 5-3

**Bot 5**
Williams strikes out swinging
Posada grounds out 5-3
Olerud grounds out 4-3

**Top 6**
Ramirez reaches on single
~~~DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: P Mike Mussina replaces P El Duque, batting 9th
Ortiz strikes out looking
Varitek grounds into 4-6-3 Double Play

**Bot 6**
Cairo pops out F1
Mussina grounds out 1-3
Jeter grounds out 5-3

**Top 7**
Nixon reaches on E-4
-With Mueller Batting, Nixon steals second base
Mueller singles, takes second on throw, Nixon to third
Millar strikes out swinging
Schilling strikes out swinging
Damon strikes out looking

**Bot 7**
ARod homers to left center field
Sheffield strikes out swinging
Matsui grounds out 3u
Williams grounds out 5-3

**Top 8**
Cabrera flies out F-7
Ramirez grounds out 6-3
Ortiz reaches on walk
Varitek grounds into 4-6 fielders' choice

**Bot 8**
Posada reaches on single to right field
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH Kenny Lofton replaces John Olerud, batting 7th~~~
Kenny Lofton strikes out swinging
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH Ruben Sierra replaces Miguel Cairo, batting 8th~~~
Ruben Sierra strikes out swinging
Mussina flies out F-7

**Top 9**
Nixon pops out F4
Mueller reaches on doubles to left
Millar grounds out 5-3, Mueller to third
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH Gabe Kapler replaces Curt Schilling, batting 9th
Kapler grounds out 5-3

End of Game; Yankees Win, 1-0

[AlecTrevylan006]

AROD, YANKS LIKE TO COME FROM BEHIND. TAKE 2-0 LEAD TO FENWAY
In a reversal of a season long trend, it was the Yankees who came from behind in this game. The Yankees came back in the end to take a 3-2 win over Red Sox, and a 2-0 series lead in a game that has Boston fans calling for their manager's head.

It started off well in the top of the first, when Cabrera doubled with one out. After retiring Ramirez, Ortiz stepped in and deposited one in straight away center for a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, that would be the last hit El Duque would allow. In fact, except for a HBP, no Red Sox runners would reach base for the rest of the game.

The Yankees put two men on in both the second and third innings. The second time was the charm, as a 6-3 ground out by Sheffield scored the first Yankees run.  Schilling put up a strong performance, going 5 1/3 with 1 ER and 7Ks. As Schilling tired, Keith Foulke came in in relief in the 6th.

Foulke pitched well for two innings before running into trouble. After striking out Giambi to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Jeter then promptly gave the fans in left a nice souvenir to tie the game, quickly followed by Arod who   deposited the 2nd pitch into the left field parking lot for the lead. The Red Sox could mount nothing in the 9th and walked away the painful losers.

Responding to questions as to his unpopular decision to stick with the sucky Keith Foulke rather than bringing in closer Tim Wakefield in the 8th, Red Sox Manager Spencer said "Wait... what? That was the 8th inning? God... [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] damn [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] what the hell [expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted] in the [expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted] so [expletive deleted][expletive deleted][expletive deleted] he'll have to [expletive deleted] sideways".

When allowed to calm down, Spencer elaborated "I woke up 2 minutes before the game and we didn't have a scorekeeper, so I was distracted and half asleep. Also, apparently, high on acid. I also figured Foulke could at least get Jeter out, and I didn't want to waste Wakefield for one out. Then, when Jeter sent one out, Foulke was ordered to pitch around Sheffield to see if he could get a cheap out, but instead served one up. We're pretty pist actually. We're leaving him with Schilling tonight, who will use his gravitational pull from his stomach to rip Foulke's skin from his body for blowing the game."

The Yankees take a 2-0 series lead to Fenway. Game 3 will be played tommorow at an unknown time.


__________________________________
..............1.2.3....4.5.6....7.8.9...R H E
RED SOX...2 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 2 2 0
YANKEES...0 0 1 | 0 0 0 | 0 2 X | 3 7 0
__________________________________

RED SOX
J. Damon: 0-4, K
O. Cabrera: 1-4, R
M. Ramirez: 0-4, 2K
D. Ortiz: 1-2, HR, HBP, SB, 2 RBI, R
J. Varitek: 0-3, 2K
T. Nixon: 0-3, K
B. Mueller: 0-3, 2B, K
M. Bellhorn: 0-3
C. Schilling: 0-3

YANKEES
D. Jeter: 2-4, K, HR, 2R, RBI
A. Rodriguez: 2-4, 2K, HR, 2B, R, RBI
G. Sheffield: 1-4, K, RBI
H. Matsui: 0-4, 4K
B. Williams: 0-3, K
J. Posada: 1-3
J. Olerud: 0-0
---a.) K. Lofton: 0-3, K
M. Cairo: 0-0
---b.) R. Sierra: 1-3
O. Hernandez: 0-2
---c.) J.  Giambi: 0-1 K
--i.) M. Mussina: 0-0

PITCHING
~Red Sox~
C. Schilling: ND, 5.3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 7K
K. Foulke: BS, L (0-1), 2 ER, 2H, 4K, 2 HR

~Yankees~
O. Hernandez: W (1-0), 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 6K, HR, HBP, SB
M. Mussina: SAVE, 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K

ATTENDANCE- 2
T- 0:17
LEFT ON BASE- Red Sox: 1  Yankees: 4
DOUBLES- A. Rodriguez
HOME RUNS- D. Ortiz (1), D. Jeter (1), A. Rodriguez (2)
HIT BY PITCH- D. Ortiz
RUNS- O. Cabrera, D. Ortiz, D. Jeter 2, A. Rodriguez
RBI- D. Ortiz 2, G. Sheffield, D. Jeter, A. Rodriguez
STOLEN BASES- D. Ortiz (1)
STRIKE OUTS- Jeter, Arod 2, Sheffield, Matsui 4, Williams, Lofton, Giambi, Damon, Ramirez 2, Varitek 2, Nixon, Mueller

World Series Game 2, 12/8/07
Boston (Schilling) @ New York (El Duque)

**Top 1**
Damon flies out F3
Cabrera reaches on single to left
Ramirez lines out L7
Ortiz homers to center, Cabrera scores
Varitek grouunds out 6-3

**Bot 1**
Jeter strikes out swinging
Arod strikes out swinging
Sheffield reaches on single
Matsui strikesout swinging

**Top 2**
Nixon lines out L3
Mueller strikes out swinging
Bellhorn flies out F9

**Bot 2*
Williams grounds out 5-3
Posada reaches on single
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH K. Lofton replaces J. Olerud, batting 7th~~~
Lofton strikes out swinging
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH R. Sierra replaces M. Cairo, batting 8th~~~
R. Sierra reaches on single
El Duque pops out F1

**Top 3**
Schilling flies out F-6
Damon grounds out 6-3
Cabrera grounds out 5-3

**Bot 3**
Jeter reaches on single
A. Rod reaches on double, Jeter to third
Sheffield grounds out 6-3, Jeter scores, ARod to third.
Matsui strikes out swinging
Williams strikes out looking


**Top 4**
Ramirez strikes out swinging
Ortiz hit by pitch
Varitek strikes out swinging
--Ortiz steals second
Nixon strikes out swinging

**Bot 4**
Posada lines out L1
Lofton pops out F3
Sierra grounds out 5-3

**Top 5**
Mueller grounds out 5-3
Bellhorn lines out L3
Schilling pops out F6


**Bot 5**
El Duque grounds out 6-3
Jeter grounds out 5-3
ARod strikes out swinging

**Top 6**
Damon strikes out swinging
Cabrera flies out F1
Ramirez flies out F8

**Bot 6**
Sheffield grounds out 6-3
~~~PITCHING CHANGE-K. Foulke replaces C. Schilling, batting 9th~~~
Matsui strikes out swinging
Williams grounds out 5-3


**Top 7**
Ortiz grounds out 6-3
Varitek strikes out swinging
Nixon flies out F9

**Bot 7**
Posada flies out F8
Lofton grounds out 3u
Sierra flies out F8

**Top 8**
Mueller grounds out 4-3
Bellhorn flies out F9
Foulke flies out F-8

**Bot 8**
~~~OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: PH J. Giambi replaces El Duque, batting 9th~~~
Giambi strikes out looking
Jeter homers to left
ARod homers to left
Sheffield strikes out swinging
Matsui strikes out swinging

**Top 9**
~~~DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION/PITCHING CHANGE: M. Mussina replaces J. Giambi, batting 9th~~~
Damon grounds out 3u
Cabrera flies out F7
Ramirez strikes out swinging

End of game: Yankees win, 3-2

[AlecTrevylan006]

Dropped to 0-3 with a 4-3 loss :-/

Stats to come eventually

[AlecTrevylan006]

Avoided the sweep with a 6-1 win. No hits through 5 for pedro, homers by Varitek and Millar (yet none by Ortiz/Manny? Figures, doesn't it...)

Again, stats to come... someday...

[AlecTrevylan006]

Its incredibly ironic that I lost the series in the 9th inning, when the worst hitter of the series (Matsui) hit a double off the Cy Young winner of the regular season (Tim Wakefield)

Yankees take the series in 5 games with a 1-0 win at Fenway. Pedro went 8 scoreless, but was matched all the way by a combination of El Duque and Mike Mussina. There was no timely hitting until the top of the 9th. Tim Wakefield came in in relief, looking to keep the game tied. Arod grounded out softly to bring up Sheffied, who worked a full count walk to bring up Matsui, 1-17 in the series with 13 strike outs. Matsui grabbed a hold of a hanging knucklerand drove a ball to the wall in left center. Sheffield, off on the pitch, scored all the way from first. Williams struck out, then Posada singled but Matsui was thrown out at home to send it to the bottom of the ninth. Manny led off with a double, and a HBP later there were two on and no out. But Varitek and Nixon both whiffed, while Mueller popped up to the shortstop to end the game and the series.

*sigh* just can't catch a break... note to self, next time, don't try to make a team of contact hitters against a team of power hitters.