Close only counts in hand grenades and nuclear weapons

"Fredo, you broke my heart!". Raul Ibanez has been the best Yankee bat during this postseason, however, even Superman fails sometimes. The Yankees put on a strong show in the 9th inning but fell short. But once again the Yankee bats were largely silent throughout much of the game, before the 9th, Ichiro had the only two hits in the game. Now I'm sure that much will be said about Giradi's benching up Arod and Swisher, but the way Verlander was pitching no one can say whether or not it would have made a difference. JV was a man on fire, in the zone, doing no wrong, pitching like a man on a mission. What I do find fascinating is that not only did Nunez NOT make an error, but he scored the only run of the game with a home run, bringing us within 1 run of sending it into extra innings. It just goes to show that if you buy enough scratch off tickets, your bound to win something. I am still convinced, however, that Nunez will never replace anyone on the Yankee roster short of the team ownership receiving a really great deal on lobotomies, but for today Nunez, you were the man. Savor it, get that clip from ESPN, because I still think watching you play is like watching a Nascar race, everyone is just waiting for the crash to happen. But tonight, you can hold your head high, you gave us a chance. Hell, until he hit that home run, with the exception of Ichiro, the Yankees appeared to be auditioning for a walk on role in The Walking Dead. Robinson Cano broke out of his slump and we have to hope that this wasn't just a solitary event.

The bright spot in my opinion was the Yankee's bullpen. They shut out a very powerful Tiger lineup, holding the MVP Miguel Cabrera to one hit and an RBI, as well as putting a giant goose egg on the Fresh Prince. And sadly that brings me to an issue that gave me horrendous nightmares the night before when I realized that Phil Hughes would be taking the mound. Ok, I know what you're thinking, he only gave up 2 runs, but I say that is only because his back gave out and he had to leave the game. But,  I noticed quite clearly, that once someone got on base, he seemed unable to find the strike zone. Three walks and one strikeout. And in fact, if it weren't for some excellent field play, the score could have been much worse.  I mean for once, just one time, for the love of everything Holy, DUDE, can you PLEASE, go just ONE game without giving up a home run? I mean really, just one time! 

So after the eighth, the buzzards were circiling and the fat lady was warming up, but as said before Nunez uncharacteristically became the belle of the ball. Then Tex and Cano woke up and realized a ballgame had broke out somehow. The Yankees were still alive, the fat lady sat down, and I thought, if only we can get to Raul, if somehow someone other than Ichiro can  - to use the old baseball adage - 'hit it where they ain't ' , then everything would be okay. I felt that then, it would be like a sign from God that everything was going to be alright. But in a heart breaking moment, Mighty Casey struck out, and there is no joy in Mudville.

The Buzzards are back, and the Fat Lady is humming. We have CC tomorrow, and he has to have the game of his life, but boys we got to get serious real fast and start pounding the cover off the ball or else the Tigers will be playing for the Championship that is OURS. I want that 28th World Series title, but you guys have to want it too, remember the words of our Captain, "You don't just accidentally end up in the World Series." 

Getting close to a win, or getting close to a title is as far away as the moon is from the earth. And lastly, remember the great Ricky Bobby, "If you ain't first, you're last"