Save us (again), Pedro

A second close loss to the Yankees has put the Red Sox in quite a hole. Or maybe we have 'em right where we want 'em. Just ask the Indians what happens when you go two games up on the Sox.

Can Pedro Martinez save the season, or are we pretty much done with baseball in Boston for the century?

George, NY
As a longtime Yankee fan, I can certainly feel for Sox fans here. You can't help but like the character of the players on this team. Jimy Williams has done a terrific job. Is there a curse? Who knows. This is baseball at it's best. Deep down, I'm sure that Yankee fans hope the Sox will win a World Series(just not this year).

Lou, Newburyport
It's the ability to deal with hardship and heartbreak and still fight on, never giving up, that makes Red Sox players and fans the pinnacle of human evolution! Sox in 6!!

KG, Andover
Andrew from Deham - what the hell are you talking about? Pettitte is struggling? He hasn't been struggling since late July - infact he's been New York's most consistent pitcher in the second half of the season. The Yanks are the superior team right now, Pedro may change the momentum, but for how long? Sure Boston has heart. But they need clutch hitting. Thirteen men left on base. Enough said. New York in six. Go Yanks!

Anonymous, Nashua, NH
The Sox are still missing what they've been missing all year. That power hitter that they can count on. How may times can Normar and Pedro carry the team before their backs give in. They can not continue to expect to win with players like Daren Lewis who can barely hit the ball out of the infield. The guy should not be in the majors. The sox need some hitters badly. Last couple of nights we could off used "Mo" don't you think? Thank you mister general manager. You just can't continue to piece meal teams together with guy's with arms ready to fall off and over priced second baseman who can't turn double plays.

Bob,Everett
The Yankees are barely winning but they are winning. That's the bottom line. The Yankees find a way to take the lead and they can hold it. Their pitching staff is just better than ours. Cone was unbelievable. He was in control the whole game except for Nomar's HR. He was getting his first pitches over for strikes which is key. Torre out-managed us. He put in the right pitchers at the right time. We make stupid mistakes. Why aren't holding runners at first. Why can't we hold Knoblauch at second. There is no excuse for letting him take third like that. And why are we letting Varitek bunt with men on 1st and 2nd and 0 outs?? We already have a man in scoring position! Your suppose to sacrifice when you have a man on first. Where was that bunt when we had Offerman on first and 0 outs? And you knew Knoblauch was due when there was a runner on second. He's gonna hit eventually, that's why he's their lead-off hitter! And you can say all you want about O'Neil getting a cheap hit. He fought off putch after pitch and finally dropped one in. This is what the Yankees do and this is why they win. They creep on you in the late innings and they hold the lead.

Andy Parr, Norfok, VA
What a great game!! Tension, let-down, exhiliration, and finally a Yankee win. You've got to give credit to the Red Sox, they battled down to the end, but these past two games have clearly gone to the better team. I can't wait to watch Saturday's game. Yankees rule!!

Terry, Allston
"Done with baseball in Boston for the century." Ahh..what a bittersweet ring that has for us Yankee fans. The Red Sox have provided us with many great moments...Ruth-for-$$$, Summer of '49,Lyle-for-Cater, Bucky Dent, and now a potential "Sweep of the Century." This was a great century of baseball, thanks in large part to the Boston Dead Sox, and we hate to see it end. But then again, as an astute Yankee fan mentioned, the Curse of the Bambino is Y2K compatible! The Yanks will sweep...Pedro Schmedro!!! JAY FROM SHREWSBUY AND ELLE FROM BROOKLINE...Plenty of room on the Yankee Bandwagon...join us, and end your suffering you poor people!

Gene, Lowell
Change the name to Red Flops. Professionals being paid as much as those men are overpaid. Please, let the evidence speak for itself. Weak bullpen, inattentiveness, lack of focus, little loyalty (more money means that I will be somewhere else next year). Forget the curse. The word is focus. It's not the management. Just because athletics requires a salary doesn't make a person a professional in and of itself. Playoff time, when it involves the Boys of Beantown, means an advancement for the opposition. Go Yankees!

Ed, Newton
Stranding runners at 3rd with less than 2 outs is inexcusable on a night when Cone was VERY hittable, Huskey should be ashamed of himself. The only problem with Pedro is that he doesn't hit!! By the way, I have filed a missing persons report for Brian Daubach. Valentin is looking pathetic once again!!! Valentin looks like Mr. Magoo!!!

Eric, Boston
The Yankees are in a class of their own... character and they know how to win.
I've been hurt too many times by the Red Sox... year after year.. Games they should win and they don't ...
How can I forgive them?... Manager's decision makes a big difference in the outcome of the game.
Cleveland shouldn't have lost game 5, their bone head coach decided to leave in the pitcher that was getting hit hard inning after inning... While the Sox's coach gave our starter the hook real quick... Season's over... Yankee's know how to win.

Mike, Allston
Ugh! Bitter disapointment as always, I assume. HEY! WAIT A MINUTE! NO BUCKNER!
If they beat they Yankes, they could take it all.

Jeff, Boston
The Red Sox are down but not out, not by a long shot. All they need is a little encouragement from the Fenway Faithful to get them back to their winning ways. The Sox just need to capitilize on their opportunities. I know they can do it so everybody lose the pessimism.

Rob, Minneapolis
I never was a big believer of the "Bambino Curse" but after last night when two balls came within inches of being home runs I am starting to believe it. Especially since the Sox didn't score any runs from these well hit balls. I still think the Sox have a chance, but I am afraid of getting to the 7th game and being let down once again.

Maura, Newton
It's not over yet! To hell with the damn curse! The Sox still have a chance, it's all those over confident "1918" cheering Yankee fans (TERRY DINAN) who have another thing coming to them. Watch your back.

Mark, Cambridge
We've got them right where we want them! Pedro's going to be amazing tomorrow, and then Saberhagen is going to make Pettite look like a chump. We go in to Game 5 all tied up and then we've got a whole new series!

Dave, Windsor, CT
We will take all three in Fenway and win it all in New York next week -Pedro MVP WINS TWO BIG GAMES IN GAME 3 AND 7

Adam, Clinton, MA
I am a die-hard redsox fan. But Yes, i counted them out in Cleveland, and i'm pretty close now with these damn Yankees. I do think that if they can win 2 out 0f 3 in Boston that they would have a chance, but the yanks pitching staff is NOTHING like cleveland's. I guess all we can do now is pray for ANOTHER comeback...And with this team you never know.

Ron, Auburn, ME
We are toast! Anyone who really thought that the Sox could win this series was thinking with their heart, not their head. As much as I hate to say it, the Yankees have very few (if any) holes in their line-up. They also have great balance. They don't rely on just one or two players to get it done. The biggest edge the Yankees have over the Sox is in pitching - especially after the Cleveland series. Our current starting rotation is Pedro and a prayer. Yes, Ramon pitched very well last night, but who else will step up? The bullpen, which was supposed to be a strength, is still reeling from the Cleveland series. We really needed our Game 1 starter (Mercker) to go late innings to give the pen a much needed breather. The only negative with the Yankees bullpen is that they are too well rested - they need work. I'm sorry if I sound like a pessimist, but I think that the best any Sox fan can hope for at this point is for the Sox to beat Clemens on Saturday (and beat him convincingly), and get ready to root for a former Boston team (Braves) to beat "dem damn Yankees" in the World Series. And one more point for the diehards out there. If Varitek's triple and O'Leary's doulble, which both missed being homeruns by about two inches, didn't convince you that the curse of the Bambino lives, then nothing will.

Justin, Watertown
We are leaving too many men on base and that needs to stop Saturday in order to win this series. Pedro will pitch well enough to give us a chance to win--he always does. The crowd needs to be on Roger Clemens from the minute he steps foot on that field until Torre yanks him from the game. I can here it now Ro---ger!! Ro----ger!! Ro---ger!! We will prevail, and come Monday we'll be tied at 2 games a piece.

S.P., Somerville
I do not know much about base ball. When I read the analysis of the 8th inning it seems to me the baters were expecting, rather than judging the types of deliveries they get.In cricket it is a must for the batter to know the type of delivery from the pitcher's(bowler's) arm and wrist action. I guess this can be possible in baseball too so that the batter has more control over his swings.