Before the Yankees' great offensive displays on Saturday and Sunday, I witnessed the Yankees 14-4 loss at the Stadium on Friday night.
The Yankees had early chances on Friday night but D-Rays made some good defensive plays. Mike Mussina gave up four runs in the third inning including a two run upper deck home run to B.J. Upton. He must have pitched 30 plus pitches in the inning. Moose only went 4.2 innings. Ramirez gave up a grand slam home run. D-Rays 9 - Yankees 0 at the end of five. Edwin Jackson pitched a four hitter through six innings and lowered his ERA to 6.65. His record is improved to 2-9. He gets his second win against the Yankees. Just our luck.
Time for the Tank to put on his rally cap. You know I did.
After the D-Rays added a run in the top of the seventh, Andy Phillips hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to make it 10-1. Jeter singles with two outs but Abreu struck out swinging on a full count.
The D-Rays added another run in the eighth off Brian Bruney and another two off Ron Villone.
In the bottom of the eighth, Will Nieves hit a double off the right field wall to drive home Miguel Cairo. Cano singles home Nieves. Shelley Duncan's first career hit and RBI drives home Cano. Damon singles to center. "The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!" John Belushi's character in "Animal House" says as the D-Rays go to the bullpen. D-Rays 13 - Yankees 4 with two out in the eighth inning. Out of a hearly full house of over 53,000 at the beginning of the game, there are MAYBE 5,000 people left total (more like "300") and we are going wild. Tampa brings in their closer to strike out Cabrera looking. (Cabrera was batting for Villone.) D-Rays 13 - Yankees 4 at the end of eight innings.
Scott Procter gives up a solo shot to B.J. Upton in the top of the ninth. D-Rays 14 - Yankees 4.
After Matsui hit a popfly in the bottom of the ninth, I yelled "drop it" from the left field bleachers and the D-Rays second basemen dropped it by the first base line. Matsui advanced to second. Gotta love the Little League "drop it" cheer!
After nearly four hours, Nieves struck out to end the game with a 14-4 loss. It would be Nieves next to last day. It would be Nieves next to last day before assignment. It's a shame to see him go but nice to see the Yankees acquire veteran Angels catcher Jose Molina.
Bottom Line: Though the Yankees lost, we didn't quit, especially the backups and diehard fans. Most encouraging were the five year old girl and her six year old brother a few rows in front of me in my section who led the Y-A-N-K-E-E-S cheers. They give me hope for the future in a world gone mad. Fueled by the youth who will lead us in the future, the Yankees to come back and capture the next three games. Just what the doctor ordered.
Keep the faith! Go Yankees!
Posted by the Tank reporting Live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.