Dice-K Continues His Renaissance

I didn't see much of the Red Sox game on Saturday, but Daisuke Matsuzaka once again pitched a good game in his return from his two-month layoff. He held New York down to one run in seven innings. It was a "vintage Dice-K" performance, as he walked five and got out of a bases loaded-no out jam in the fifth, which included Slappy's three-foot roller that Victor Martinez made a fabulous play getting Jesus Christ, er, sorry, Jeter, out at the plate (pictured).

I walked into Foley's Pub in Manhattan as there was two out and one on in the ninth, but Mike Lowell struck out to end the game as the Red Sox had just two hits and lost, 3-0. Terry Francona right now seems more interested in getting the Wild Card than in making a push to at the division, as he sat three of the regulars. Can't really blame him that much, as New York's win on Friday night basically made the Wild Card the Red Sox' only hope now.

Texas slaughtered Tampa Bay Saturday night, so the Red Sox Magic Number continues to be stalled at 3.

I had a great night on Saturday checking out Lenny Clarke at Comix Comedy Club on 14th Street. He was at his acerbic and vile best. Afterwards I returned to Foley's on 33rd Street to see Tina Cervasio and his charity auction for his charity. I met her before the event and she really is a sweetheart. She auctioned off all kinds of stuff from the Red Sox, Yankees, Giants, Knicks and other teams. I saw CHB himself, Dan Shaughnessy, in the crowd, as well as Red Sox announcer Joe Castiglione on hand.

And the evening ended as watched in the bar what looked to be Notre Dame blowing a 17-7 second-half lead, but a fourth-down pass by Jimmy Clausen with less than a minute to play gave the Fighting Irish a 24-21 win over Purdue. Once again it was a struggle for ND, and Charlie Weis doesn't have to update his resume, at least not for this week.