On the strength of World Series MVP and Mr. Clutch himself Manny Ramirez’s 9th inning home run, the Red Sox were able to overcome unclutch choke jobs by Jason Varitek (7th inning bases loaded strikeout), Trot Nixon (9th inning double play) and Curt Schilling (blown save).

Like that? Now we just need some glossy photos, big headlines and a major news publication to pick us up and we’ll be in business!

In all seriousness, the Sox won an exciting game, 6-5, last night against Major League Baseball’s best team, the Chicago White Sox and better still, its best pitcher, Mark Buehrle. Edgar Renteria paced the Red Sox offensively, going 3-for-4 with a walk while Manny Ramirez provided the crushing blow, a towering 9th inning blast off of Luis Vizcaino, one pitch after Pale Hose 3rd baseman Joe Crede dropped an easy foul pop-up that would have retired Manny. Johnny Damon, soothsayer, offered this up after the game.

“You just knew once Crede dropped that ball that Manny was going to do something special,”

Yes. Yes you did, Johnny. Or did you mean me? Or was it that ambiguous “you” that people sometimes like to use? Bah I give up.

I imagine Crede will catch his share of flak today but all his muff did was negate his own personal heroics that came in the bottom half of the 8th inning. His two-out double off of Curt Schilling tied the game for Chicago. For his part, Curt Schilling’s parenthetical notation in the box score (BS,W) is eminently appropriate. I mean, it was a BullShit Win. But hey, he pitched OK in two innings of work, and even looked dominant in the 9th. Adjusting to reliever and his bullpen warm-up routine will take time so I would expect that Schilling will be shakier at the outset of his appearances than he will be after he has settled in a bit.

A hat-tip to modern-day managerial customs is in order for last night’s win as well. Since a tie game in the 9th inning is obviously no time for your best reliever, or Closer™, the Red Sox got to have at it against Luis Vizcaino in lieu of old pal Dustin Hermanson, who ranks sixth in B-Pro’s Relievers Expected Wins Added. Don’t tell Ozzie Guillen I was critical, however. He scares me.

Tonight it’s Tim Wakefield and Jon Garland. Garland has 14 wins, you know.