World Series Game 1 Diary

Using the 3 pitchers worked, but it seems like a waste of bullpen effort. Yes, it used up the Braves bench, but the Braves bench is a pretty horrendous bench, filled with extra middle infielders and catchers. I know this is a World Series game, but it's not the seventh game of the World Series, and I would've let Nelson stay in the whole inning, then gone to Rivera in the ninth, thus saving more of the bullpen. It wouldn't have been a significant risk.

Bottom of the 9th inning: The Braves have their top of their lineup coming up in the bottom of the ninth. Unfortunately, the Braves combo of Williams and Boone at the top of the lineup is one of the worst in the majors. Chipper Jones faced criticism this season because too many of his home runs were solo efforts, but it's hard to avoid that if the two men batting before you aren't any good at getting on base.

Rivera, who hasn't blown a save opportunity in months, is, not surprisingly, still pitching. After Williams grounds out, Boone singles. Chipper Jones walks again on 4 pitches. The tying run is up with one out in Brian Jordan.

It's hard to tell what kind of player Jordan is. Like many players who play other sports alongside baseball and don't fully concentrate on the national pastime, he's a late bloomer. But injuries have made it unclear how much his game has really improved.

Jordan strikes out on 3 pitches. Pinch hitter Greg Myers is no match for Rivera either, hitting a very soft pop up to the third baseman, ending the game. Yankees go up, 1 game to none, and take home field advantage away from the Braves. Kevin Millwood goes for the Braves tomorrow against David Cone.

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