Tribe 12, Yankees 3 (Cleveland leads series 1-0)

Oh, that fifth inning.

Time will show if Posada'a at-bat was the fulcrum of the Yankee season.

Trailing 4-3, one out, bases loaded, Posada at 3-0, Sabathia looking as though he'd require a stretcher to carry him off the field . . . five million Yankee fans were on the the same page:

Got 'em.

It was not hard to see the Yankee strategy with Sabathia (not hard because it's pretty much their strategy for everyone): work the count, foul off pitches, exhaust the starter, get to the pen.

The strategy was not surprising. What was surprising was how well it was working. By the time Posada reached the plate, Sabathia had allowed only four hits--but also five walks, two homers, and three runs, and he had thrown 100-plus pitches.

Furthermore, this I knew: if Posada either reached base via hit or walk or tied the score with a sac fly, Sabathia was done for the night, and some Long-Man Louie would face Matsui with the score tied at worst.

So: the count goes to 3-0.

Posada, green light, misses by that much a pitch that he usually drives, a pitch that would have tied the score or--maybe--emptied the bases.

Well, okay. It's 3-1, and Sabathia can't find the strike zone.

Then:

Bang.

Bang.

Just like that, C.C.'s two best pitches of the night, one after the other. Two absolutely filthy fastballs up in the zone, two pitches Georgie swung clean through.

Good afternoon.

And good night.

After that, Matsui's pop-up was a formality.

Then the onslaught. Botoom of the fifth: six runs? Ten? Did it matter?

Then, the bucket brigade of Tribe relievers, as Sabathia made off in the getaway car, his W secured, his pitch count now moot.

And now?

Now the Yankees have to win three out of four.