It's A Bell, It's A Horn, . . No . . .

It's Mark Bellhorn! And man, when he starts swinging that bat, you sure hear a lot of noise. Reprising Todd Walker's 2003 role of Powerhouse Second Baseman, Bellhorn overcomes the Curse of Manny's Flaws. It wasn't pretty, and I'd feel better if Foulke didn't have to throw 36 pitches, but I'll take it.

And you know what? Red Sox Nation should be as thrilled with this win as any, because I thought this was a game the Cards absolutely needed to win. St. Louis is now in a situation where they're going to have to win four out of six, with Schilling, Pedro, and Lowe starting five of them. The Drought(a much more appropriate term than Curse) can end this year. Everything is in place, and I feel more confident thatn ever that it will happen.

One big question, though. Isn't it time we start looking for a defensive replacement for Manny? Francona hasn't pulled him once yet, and I wonder if we can keep getting away with it.