re: Ryan Byrd's performance

I listened to the game on WWL driving back from Orange Beach on Sunday but wish I could have seen Ryan pitch. He came through when it counted the most.

I work with Ryan's father (and they live right down the street from me as well) and he told me that Mainieri gave Ryan the ball on the bus on the way back to the hotel and told him that he wanted Ryan to be the one to pitch on Sunday. Certain guys might have been a little fearful pitching knowing what was on the line but Ryan was pumped about starting and it certainly showed.