because that's what we do. we pull wins out of our back sides.

photo from Yahoo! Sports

1. i really enjoyed the interview Thorne & Palmer did with Ernie Tyler during the game. he is an 83-year-old umpires' attendant for Oriole Park at Camden Yards. he was interesting to listen to & hasn't missed a game in Baltimore since 1960. i would love a job like that.

2. in the third inning, Aubrey Huff turned a crazy double play at first. the ball was lined right at him. he caught it for the first out & then pretty much stumbled into the bag to get Tek -- who had taken just your standard lead from the base -- for the second out. Tek had no chance of getting back to tag up.

3. my fantasy team is so happy to see Ramon Hernandez back & looking great!

4. i am more impressed with Pedroia Pocket's effort with every game. he has some nimble reflexes & plays with a lot of heart. i was skeptical with what i saw from him last season, the few games he played, but perhaps what i thought was apathy was more like shell-shock.

5. Gary Thorne *really* likes to refer to the bats as "lumber."

6. at one point during the game, Thorne & Palmer were speculating on Manny's thoughts as he played outfield. take my word for it. there is no telling what Manny is thinking, *ever*. i would be willing to bet it's not his next at bat. it's not playing the ball if it gets hit to left field. it is likely not anything to do with the game at all. i wouldn't be shocked to find he was thinking about dandelion chains though.

7. i was texting with Nichole during the game, providing her with updates, while she was at the gym. it's kind of sad when one of those texts is: WMP was just at bat. i bet i don't need to tell you what he just did. =P

8. OMG. Corey Patterson is freaking fast.

9. it makes me laugh that pitchers throw to first when Manny is there. do they really think he's going to successfully steal a base?! have they seen him run? forget about that -- have they seen him *slide*?? hmmm... maybe they are hoping to catch him daydreaming about dandelion chains...

10. most humorous moment of the game: O's intentionally pitched around Tek (who, unfortunately, struck out his other three times at bat), loading the bases, to take their chances with Whiffy Mo... who promptly knocked one out of the park for a grand slam that would win the game for Boston. that's the risk you take with him though. odds are he will K, but if he gets a hit, kiss it goodbye.


11. Mike Lowell is up to twelve games now on his hitting streak! keep 'em coming, buddy!

12. Joshy is 5-0! i didn't see that coming but woohoo!!

13. i really hope we were saving our bats for Friday-Saturday-Sunday, because i have to say, i was not impressed with the Sox overall hitting the last four days.

14. Matsuzaka's first trip to Yankee Stadium. let's hope he brings his game face. i am ready to see a hundred million dollar performance tonight.

15. please... *please* just let us win at least one game this weekend. just so they don't get to return the favor of a sweep...