Tribe fails to close series,Devils Phall in Philly

The Cleveland Indians seemed to have everything in their favor last night.
Their best pitcher on the mound,the game in Cleveland and momentum on their side,but they didn't have Josh Beckett and as a result lost to the Boston Red Sox 7-1.
The Red Sox had all they needed with 2 runs,but pounded C.C Sabathia and the Cleveland bullpen for 5 runs in the 7th and 8th innings.
Sabathia allowed 4 runs in 6+ innings and didn't pitch poorly,but could not match the effort of Beckett.
Boston jumped out early in the first on a Kevin Youklis homer and could have added another in the inning,but a strong throw by Franklin Gutierrez gunned down Manny Ramirez at the plate.
Ramirez likely would have been safe had he even mildly attempted to slide,but in a Mesneresque effort did not.
Sabathia has not been at his best in the postseason and seems like he could be one of these players that just is not at his best in big games.
I remember the Pirates had a guy like that (Back when the Pirates actually played big games) in John Smiley.
Smiley could be depended on for 15-20 wins,but in his post-season games was virtually worthless.
Game 6 in Boston Saturday night.
Fausto Carmona for Cleveland against Curt Schilling for Boston.
The Indians need to win that one,if it gets to Game 7,I like the Red Sox.

The New Jersey Devils paid the price for back to back games and despite peppering Martin Biron with 39 shots lost to the Flyers 4-0.
The Devils allowed 3 goals in the second period and never seemed to threaten after that.
Dainus Zubrus did appear to score one goal,but it was ruled to be kicked in.
I didn't see a kicking motion,but the video guys in Toronto didn't see enough evidence to overrule the officials.
Would not have made a difference anyway in the game.
Marty Brodeur let a bad goal in from long range from Sami Kapanen,but other than that,it was just one of those games....
Marty seems to be more susceptible to the long range shot or the crazy angle shot than most goalies.
I have always wondered why more teams did not attack him that way.
The Devils travel to Long Island to take the Islanders Saturday night.

Bullpen Notes

Interesting post from Charlie over at Bucs Dugout about the Colorado Rockies seeming to push
religion onto their players.
Why is this of interest to us?
Well,one of the top candidates for the Pirates Scouting Director job is Dave Holliday of the Rockies and his stance on these issues is worth knowing.
After all,the Pirates have plenty of great guys in the system already that are not great prospects,we really don't need to be picking players based on their fervent (or not) religious beliefs.
I am not saying Holliday has any involvement,just that the question needs to be asked......

The Ashland Arrows attempt to keep their hopes for post-season play and the OCC Championship alive tonight in their home finale vs the Clear Fork Colts.
Clear Fork always is a tough,but running first team,so if the Arrows can jump out early,they should cruise home with the win.
Coverage here tomorrow......

On the Signing Front
One card came in the mail last week from Marlins pitcher Taylor Tankersley from last spring training.
Better late than never!

SAL and Carolina league schedules are out for the most part,so the 2008 tour is in the planning stages already.

Back tomorrow with either some random ramblings or a feature of some kind with no Indians or Devils action tonight.

Photo Credits
Beckett-AFP/Pool
helmets-Ohio Helmet Project