Manny happy returns

By Tom Singer / MLB.com
The situation: With the 3-3 cliffhanger seemingly settled in for the long haul, Julio Lugo is on second base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as Ortiz strides up to the plate.

The decision: Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez issues an intentional walk to Ortiz, setting up a confrontation with Ramirez. The same move in the fifth inning hurt only mildly, leading to a sacrifice fly by Mike Lowell that knotted the score at 3.

The outcome: The strategy flies over the Green Monster and onto Lansdowne Street, as Ramirez powers Rodriguez's 1-0 pitch for a walk-off home run.
The analysis: "I don't know where the pitch was -- I'll have to see the tape -- but I guess it wasn't a good pitch. That's baseball. You have to go out there and challenge whoever it is. I fell behind and tried to get even on the count." -- Rodriguez