--RHP Mike Timlin learned on Wednesday afternoon that he was left off the ALDS roster, the first time in his six-year Sox career that he didn't qualify for Boston's postseason roster. The 42-year-old has struggled in his 17th major league season and posted an unsightly 5.66 ERA this summer. Manager Terry Francona indicated that Timlin handled the disappointing news "like a professional," and there remains a decent chance that he could qualify for the ALCS roster should the Sox advance.
--3B Mike Lowell (hip) and RF J.D. Drew (back) battled through their injuries to crack the starting lineup for Game 1, and both players are expected to again play Friday night in Game 2. Lowell certainly looks as if his mobility is significantly compromised by the partially torn labrum in his right hip, but the ultimate tough guy is gritting through the injury while continuing to play baseball. He was able to make a handful of plays in the field and went 0-for-4 at the plate Wednesday night. "The kid has handled so much adversity," manager Terry Francona said. "I'm sure it's painful, but he has a real willingness to play. We're proud of his efforts." --RHP Jonathan Papelbon threw a scoreless ninth inning to secure the Game 1 victory and notch his fifth career playoff save in five chances. Papelbon was hitting 95 and 96 mph and overwhelmed the Angels' hitters in the ninth inning. Papelbon has not been scored upon in his entire postseason career (15 2/3 innings). "He's one of the best in the game," said manager Terry Francona. "I imagine it would be hard to have a successful team without a guy at the end that anchors it."
--LF Jason Bay looked a little jittery in his first few career postseason plate appearances but came through with the big hit when it mattered most in Game 1. Bay became the first Sox player to hit a homer in his first playoff game since 2B Todd Walker hit two in Game 1 of the 2003 ALDS. "The first couple of at-bats I didn't really see the ball), and then he left a fastball up and I hit," said Bay. "After that you gain a little confidence. (The playoffs) are a little bit different, but once you get over it then it's just baseball again."
--SS Jed Lowrie made an error at shortstop in the third inning of Game 1 when he couldn't come up with a routine grounder, and the fielding miscue led to the Angels' unearned run. The timing couldn't have been worse for Lowrie, who didn't commit an error in 155 chances, spread over 49 games, during the regular season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Consecutive postseason victories that the Sox have strung together against the Angels dating to the 1986 ALCS.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "His makeup is so good that it's probably allowing him to be on the field when I'm sure a lot of other people wouldn't be able to. I don't know how many people would be trying to play in his situation, and not only trying to play?but actually pulling it off." -- Manager Terry Francona on 3B Mike Lowell's willingness to play through a partially torn labrum in his right hip.
