SteveSilver.net

Two Bad

The ALDS is tied 1-1 tonight after the Yankees defeated the Twins 7-6 in 12 innings. In a game eerily reminiscent of last year's ALCS Game 7, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire sent closer Joe Nathan out to pitch the 12th- the closer's third inning of work- and even after Nathan gave up two walks on eight pitches, he remained in the game to face the reigning AL MVP (A-Rod), who subsequently tied the game with a ground-rule double, opening the door for a game-winning sac fly by Hideki Matsui.

As Jeremy said tonight of the manager, "you know, Gardy is an acronym of Grady."

No, I'm not bitter, because we now head home for two games, one of which will be started by the unbeatable Johan Santana. And besides, no team that fails to score more than one run in that many innings off friggin' Tanyon Sturtze deserves to complain about losing in the 12th. I just get the sense that as long as the mediocre managers of opposing teams keep leaving their standout pitchers in games long after they've lost all effectiveness, the Yankees will never lose a playoff series ever again.

At least the "good guys" won the other two games Wednesday. The Red Sox moved closer to their second straight ALCS with a decisive Game 2 win over the Angels, while the Astros trounced the Braves in the NL. While I normally have trouble referring to Roger Clemens as a "good guy," I'm proudly in the Roger column as long as he's facing the Braves. The organization that gave us owner Ted Turner, the tomahawk chop, and John Rocker, the Braves are easily the most despicable team in all of professional sports, and their annual playoff collapse is honestly one of my favorite parts of being a fan.

Both AL Series resume Friday; I know I'm ready for a break after tonight.