Well, my fears were unfounded. For tonight, at least. Nomar sat out and wound up having as many hits as Derek Jeter (0). But Grady Little is officially on notice that I'm watching him like a hawk. I don't know how much longer Red Sox Nation can put up with Ugueth Urbina as closer; he's giving off serious "Derek Lowe in early 2001" vibes. Not good.

And of course this is premature and probably wishful thinking, but this year's Yankees do look different than the clubs of the last few years. When the Yankees came up in the 9th, their three leadoff hitters were Nick Johnson, Alberto Castillo, and Alfonso Soriano. Johnson homered off Urbina, and Castillo was lifted for pinch-hitter Posada, but still. It's not quite Tino, Brosius, and Knoblauch. Those guys scared you every single time - I heard they were coming up in the 9th and I started sweating like Ted Striker on the approach to Chicago. On paper, the Yankees might be improved, but the heart and soul and win-at-all-costs mentality that's been there on the field seem to be lessened. Like I said, probably wishful thinking. And I know the win-at-all-costs mentality still exists in the front office, which is why I still think Vladimir Guerrero and (maybe) Scott Rolen will be in the Bronx by August.

And so, once again, the mood of every New Englander for the entire summer rests on your right arm, Pedro Jaime Martinez. Shut the Yankees down tomorrow and we'll be dancing in the streets. Look like you did on Opening Day and there will be hundreds crammed into the pews saying Rosaries. I say he shuts 'em down.