Indians win ALDS and Senators defeat Devils

The Cleveland Indians led from the first at-bat of the game and never looked back in winning Game 4 and the ALDS with a 6-4 win in New York vs the Yankees.
Grady Sizemore hammered a leadoff homer to give Cleveland a lead and Jhonny Peralta added an RBI single to give the Tribe a 2-0 lead after their first at-bat that they would never relinquish.
Cleveland added two runs in the second to boost the lead to 4-0,as one run scored as Sizemore rapped into a 4-6-3 twin killing and a later Asdrubal Cabrera single drove in the second run.
Victor Martinez smacked a two run single in the 4th to conclude the Indian scoring and put the Indians in cruise control from there,as the Yankees were able to chip away at the lead,but unable to seriously threaten it.
Paul Byrd allowed two runs in 5+ innings to earn the win and justify the confidence placed in him by Eric Wedge.
I was not sure that was the best idea,but the gamble paid off,as now the Tribe can set up their rotation exactly as they like for the ALCS vs the Red Sox of Beantown.
I would imagine that would involve setting up the rotation for a possible three starts from either C.C. Sabathia or Fausto Carmona.
A well played series in defeating the Yankees,but Boston looms with an even tougher test.
The Red Sox have better pitching than New York and hitting that is just as solid.
This one should be a fun series to watch starting Friday night in Boston.

The New Jersey Devils fell behind 2-0 early in Canada's capital city,battled back,but eventually fell 4-2 to the Ottawa Senators.
The Devils goals were scored by Arron Asham and Zach Parise,first goals of the season for both of them.
I am encouraged by the effort and I also think that the system will work.
It will take time and patience,but in the end will be well worth the wait.
Highlight of the game other than the goal was the surprising win of the games only fight by the Devils David Clarkson over Ottawa tough guy Chris Neil.
I like Clarkson more every time that I see him play.
New Jersey returns to action Thursday night at the Florida Panthers.

Bullpen Notes

Battlin Bob sends us this link to the Hagerstown City Councils vote on some improvements to Municipal Stadium.
This would fix the infield and extend the Hagerstown Suns lease for two more seasons.
I am all for it.Lets get this done!!!

In a sad note,Ryan sends us this link to the career ending injury to the Seahawks fine blocking fullback Mack Strong.
Strong has been an excellent blocker for Shaun Alexander and pass catcher out of the backfield for years.
Strong herniated a disc in his neck that was pinching on his spinal cord in last Sunday;s game at Pittsburgh and to be safe Mack quickly ended his football career.
Tough break for a hard nosed player and good guy and the Seahawks will certainly miss Mack Strong.

All time great race horse John Henry was put down yesterday at his home at the Kentucky Horse Park at the age of 32.
The irascible gelding had been there for 22 years.....

And finally-the NHL Network is coming to the US!
The network has been available in Canada since 2001 will begin carried around the country sometime this month.

Photo Credits
Indians-Jim McIssac-Getty Images
Parise-Phillip MacCullum-Getty Images
Strong-Joshua Trujillo-Seattle Post-Intelligencer