One win to go...
So many times in these ALDS losses over the last several years we've dropped Game 3 after splitting the first two at Publix Park but this time that didn't happen as Andy Ruggles and Jeff Brockman led us to a Game 3 win at Yankee Stadium 5-3. Ruggles came through big in the 4th with a 2-out double to score Mike Willis and give us a 1-0 lead, keeping the inning alive for Jimmy Leonard to belt a 2-run homer. And then Ruggles did likewise to make it 5-0 in the 5th before the Yankees started chipping away against Brockman. But Brockman got New York 1-2-3 on the 7th, lessening the burden on the bullpen, and after Chris Williams got out of an 8th-inning jam with a whiff after putting two on with two out, it was time for Kikuo Kawase. This season we really don't know what to expect from the vet, and when he walked the leadoff man there was an air of "here we go again". But he quickly got a double play and a fly ball to secure his 20th career postseason save. Our hottest starter Jose Mendoza will look to close it out tomorrow.
In the other games, look at those former Rays getting it done for Houston. If we both make it, this will be an epic series:
And congrats to Cincinnati, which made San Francisco's first playoff appearance in this 21-season save a short one as they become the first team to advance to the DS, while the Lightning force a Game 5 with former Rays Ben Hill and Will Quintana contributing.