World Series Game 4 Recap; Boston Claims 2nd Title in 4 Years

Boston 4, Colorado 3 (BOS wins 4-0)

Hero: Mike Lowell
Goat: Troy Tulowitzki
Turning Point: Ortiz's 1st inning RBI single to give Sox lead they'd never relinquish















Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox for winning their second World Series in four years. They basically duplicated the script that enabled them to win the title in 2004. They once again swept the World Series following historic ALCS comebacks. Jon Lester was terrific tonight going 5.2 scoreless innings. What a story he is! The bullpen gave up a couple of homers, but buckled down when they really needed to in getting clutch outs. Jonathan Papelbon closed the door with his third save of the World Series, and he easily could have won the series MVP. Jacoby Ellsbury could have won it too hitting .438 in the series, but Mike Lowell took home the honors. Lowell hit .400 in the series with a homerun and a double tonight. He was really the unsung hero for the Red Sox offense all year long. While Big Papi battled knee problems and Manny having a down year, Lowell quietly led the Sox in RBI. He is now a free agent, and we'll see what happens.

Despite being swept in the World Series, the Colorado Rockies had one of the more remarkable finishes to a season you will ever see. They won 14 of their final 15 to make the playoffs, including the best game of October in the play-in game vs. San Diego. The Rockies then went 7-0 in the NL Playoffs to reach the World Series for the first time in their history. Their magic just ran out having to play the steamrolling Red Sox. The Rockies' bats were severly disappointing, and their pitching allowed Boston to take advantage of just about every opportunity. But when the dust settles, they will truely look back with smiles at a remarkable year.

The Red Sox now have two rings in four years. The question asked a lot tonight was which of the two teams was better. Well, I would have to say this one by a tad. The biggest reason is the Sox having a shutdown starting pitcher in Josh Beckett this time around. That was something they did not have in 2004. They also now have a dominant closer in Papelbon. Keith Foulke had a magical postseason, but isn't nearly the pitcher (and celebrator) Papelbon is. The offense was better that year, but not enough to cover the pitching differences. Let the party begin in Beantown!

3 1/2 months til pitchers and catchers!

Pat Morgan

World Series Game 3 Recap; The Rookies Go Bananas

Boston 10, Colorado 5 (BOS leads 3-0)

Heroes: Jacoby Ellsbury & Dustin Pedroia
Goat: Josh Fogg
Turning Point: Ellsbury's RBI double in the top of the 8th that Hawpe almost caught after Colorado narrowed the lead to one

















The rookies, Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia sparked the Boston offense as the Red Sox now own a commanding 3-0 series lead. Ellsbury was 4 for 5, with three doubles and two RBI. Pedroia was 3 for 5, with a double and two RBI as well. They set the table for a huge six run top of the 3rd, which put the Rockies in a deep enough hole. Matsuzaka was very good through five, and would be pulled after allowing two runners on in the sixth. The bullpen was off tonight, allowing the Rockies to score five, and get within a run at 6-5. That is when Ellsbury and Pedroia would strike again. Both doubled in the top of the 8th to turn the momentum back in Boston's favor. Manny DelCarmen and Jon Papelbon were able to shut the door giving the Sox the 10-5 victory. With one more victory the Red Sox will win their second World Championship in four years, and a victory in Game 4 would give them eight straight World Series wins. Josh Fogg was awful and definitely the goat of the game, but Colorado had opportunities to score early in the game to give them a jump on the six run deficit earlier. We'll see what pride this team comes out and plays with tomorrow.

Pat Morgan

World Series Game 2 Recap; Okajima Awesome in Relief

Boston 2, Colorado 1 (BOS leads 2-0)

Hero: Hideki Okajima
Goats: Rockies' Offense
Turning Point: Top 6th/2out-Okajima strikes out Brad Hawpe with runners on 2nd and 3rd



Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon were spectacular in relief, going 3 2/3 innings, striking out six, and only allowing one hit. Again this postseason, Curt Schilling did not have his best stuff, but battled hard going 5.1, one-run, innings. The Rockies' offense spoiled a good outing from Ubaldo Jimenez and just as spectacular relief pitching. The key inning in this game was the top of the 6th when Schilling allowed two baserunners with just one out. Okajima relieved Schilling, and got Garrett Atkins to ground out and then blowing away Brad Hawpe. The Rockies would only get one Matt Holliday single the rest of the game, and he was promptly picked off. Boston's big hit was from Mike Lowell, as he put the Sox ahead for good with a 2-out, RBI double in the 5th. The Rockies will now have to win all three games at home to have a chance to win this series, and that includes beating Josh Beckett in Game 5. Even if they allow the Red Sox to win one at Coors, that would mean the Rockies would have to win both Games 6 & 7 at Fenway. The Rockies won 21 of 22, but if they can win 4 of 5 against Boston that might just be more unlikely. This series is over.

Pat Morgan

World Series Game 1 Recap; The Gagné Save!

Boston 13, Colorado 1 (BOS leads 1-0)

Hero: Josh Beckett
Goats: Jeff Francis & Franklin Morales
Turning Point: Dustin Pedroia's leadoff homerun

















Boston was terrific in all facets of the game. Every Red Sox starter except for Jacoby Ellsbury got a hit in the game tonight. They had eight doubles, which is a World Series record. This game was pretty much over when Dustin Pedroia led off the game with a homerun after Josh Beckett struckout the side in the top half of the first. Beckett ended up getting massive run support, but was fantastic the first four innings when the game was still close. Beckett continues his dominance by improving to 4-0 this postseason by going seven innings with nine strikeouts. Jeff Francis and Franklin Morales were just terrible. Even Ryan Speier walked in three runners after the game was blown wide open. It will be interesting to see how the Rockies respond to the their first loss since September 28th. If it is any solace for the Rockies, the last team to lose Game 1 by double digits went on to win the series (1996 Yankees). I want to propose a new statistic to MLB. How about the Eric Gagné save? The pitcher would earn credit for that if they successfully close out a six-run lead or more.

Pat Morgan