A break

Going to take the day-to-day off this season--mostly a note to self.

Tigers 6, Yankees 4 (Tigers lead series 1-0)

Another brilliant Yankee comeback--a Raul Ibanez comeback, as the two are one and the same--squandered. Squandered. I'm talking to you, A-Rod, Granderson, Cano. Two hands, Swisher.

Yankees 3, Orioles1 (Yanks win series, 3-2)

CC was the difference, but Tex was the signifier. In my car, racing around with erancds during the early innings, somehow when Tex stole second against a Bal'mer team not holding him at all--they were, I later saw, very nearly in "defensive indifference" mode, the kind of posture you take when you're up by nine runs late, not locked in a 0-0 brawl against the best lefthander in the American League with the season on the line--I somehow knew it was over. Thrills and chills in the eighth--ball streaks under Jeter's glove, CC mishandles a bloop combacker--but, overall, huge control. A shame they don't have MVP for the ALDS.

Orioles 3, Yankees 2 (Series tied, 2-2)

My kingdom for a timely base hit.

Yankees 3, Orioles 2 (12) (Yankees lead ALDS 2-1)

Raul Ibanez, Raul Ibanez, Raul Ibanez, Raul Ibanez Homer to tie in the 9th. Homer to win in the 12th. Heading into the 161st game of the season, the Yankees were 0-58 when trailing after eight. Now, 2-59. With Ibanez supplying both the tying and winning RBIS (homer, single, homer, homer) in both games. Orioles, 16-0 in their last extra-inning games. Walk-off losses all year: 0. Now? 16-1. And one.

Orioles 3, Yankees 2 (Series ties 1-1)

Pass.

Yankees 7, Orioles 2 (Yankees lead ALDS 1-0)

The subhead might be: CC and Martin save Yankees from two--maybe three--brutal, rally-killing baserunning blunders. Oh, I'm too tired.

Yankees 4, Red Sox 3

So it was the Red Sox' game, 3-1, the division would be tied, Kuroda would be summoned on Wednesday night to save the day, a solid outing by Phelps and the bullpen would be wasted . . . And then, just like that, it was the bottom of the ninth. The red Sox realized they were at war. And Raul Ibanez was not on their side. Ibanez: two-run homer to tie in the ninth, RBI single in the 12th to win it. The Yankees are now 1-58 when trailing after eight. One up and one to go. Lying dormie. Best game of the season? It's not even close.

Yankees 10, Red Sox 2

Oh, to take all those runs they didn't need and sprinkle tehm over the past month! And in a CC start, no less! Cano is otherwordly. A home run and double in one inning. Rays hang on to beat Baltimore, 5-3. Back to one game.