Out-pitched, out-hit, and out-managed...

Things looked so promising in the 5th inning when Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell hit back-to-back homers. Little did Red Sox Nation know, that Cleveland Indians manager, Eric Wedge knows a thing or two about managing a baseball game. My choice for Manager of The Year in the AL, Wedge used his tail end of the bullpen more effectively than Terry Francona, thus in the top of the 10th, Boston was forced to go to the always scary, Eric Gagne. The former Cy Young winner gave up a hit and walked a man and left to the dismay and shock of the Fenway faithful. Javiar Lopez, normally effective, but mostly used in partial innings, left his pitches up and Cleveland teed off. And the player of the game was none other than the Dirtdog himself, former longtime Red Sox right fielder, Trot Nixon. Nixon, who was pursued by the Red Sox in the off season when he was a free agent, signed with Cleveland and while probably not the vengeful type, he again left his mark on Boston. Final score: A lot to about half... Series tied at one game a piece.