Yanks Make It Two-for-Two Against Rays

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees	0	2	3	1	0	0	0	0	2		8	12	0
Tampa Bay	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	1		4	8	0

First of all I want to apologize for not posting a game thread/lineups tonight. I was out all day, and didn't make it home until 10 p.m.. The game thread will be back tomorrow.

And now on to the game...

It was another nice win for the Yankees tonight over the first-place Rays. They jumped out to an early lead, scoring six runs in the first four innings. And even though Carl Pavano wasn't very good tonight, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in just four+ innings, the Yanks were able to win their third in a row. Most of the credit goes to the bullpen, which allowed just one run on one hit in five innings of work.

With the score 6-3 Yankees in the bottom of the 5th, Edwar Ramirez got out of a big, bases loaded no out jam that saved the game for the Yanks. He first got Willy Aybar to line into a double play, and then got Eric Hinske to pop out to Jeter to end the inning.

Phil Coke was very impressive in his second major league outing. He threw two perfect innings.
Brian Bruney pitched a perfect 8th, and also struck out a batter.

Jose Veras came in for the 9th and was shaky, giving up a run on a hit and walk, but was able to finish off the game.

The Yankees pounded out 8 runs on 12 hits tonight, and every Yankee starter besides Xavier Nady had at least one hit. This was only the second time all season, and the first time since June, that the Yankees scored seven or more runs in three straight games. The only other time occurred from June 14-18 against the Astros and Padres in the middle of a seven game winning streak.

Alex Rodriguez had another big night for the Yanks, going 3-for-4 with a homer, four RBI, two runs scored, and walk. He's been red-hot in September, hitting .615/.667/.1.154, with 2 HR and 9 RBI, and the Yankees just happen to be 3-0. When A-Rod hits, this team wins, at least they usually win. When A-Rod has a multi-hit game the Yankees are 28-13. A-Rod also passed Mike Schmidt for 12th all time HR list with his 549th career homer. The homer was also the first to be reviewed by replay under the new rules. The umpires took a total of just 2 minutes and 15 seconds to review the play.

It may be too little too late for this team, but it's nice to see them play well for a few days in a row. If only they could do for the next 23 games in a row.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	5	1	1	0	0	0	1	.316
Jeter, SS	5	0	1	0	0	1	0	.295
Abreu, RF	4	2	2	0	1	1	2	.301
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	2	3	4	1	1	1	.315
Giambi, 1B	4	1	1	1	1	1	3	.250
1-Ransom, PR-1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.600
Nady, LF	4	1	0	0	1	1	4	.318
Matsui, DH	4	0	1	1	0	1	1	.303
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	1	0	1	0	.269
Rodriguez, I, C	4	0	1	1	0	1	2	.281
Totals	38	8	12	8	4	8	14
1-Ran for Giambi in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Cano (28, Jackson), Rodriguez, I (18, Jackson), Abreu (36, Jackson), Rodriguez, A (32, Jackson), Giambi (15, Jackson). HR: Rodriguez, A (31, 9th inning off Percival, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Damon; Jeter; Abreu 3; Rodriguez, A 7; Giambi 2; Matsui; Cano 3; Rodriguez, I 2. RBI: Cano (61), Rodriguez, I (35), Rodriguez, A 4 (90), Giambi (87), Matsui (44). 2-out RBI: Cano; Rodriguez, I; Matsui; Rodriguez, A 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, A; Damon; Rodriguez, I; Nady. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Abreu 2 (18, 2nd base off Jackson/Navarro, 2nd base off Percival/Navarro), Damon (26, 2nd base off Jackson/Navarro). CS: Rodriguez, A (3, 2nd base by Balfour/Navarro).

RAYS OFFENSE

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pavano	4.0	6	3	3	2	1	1	4.20
Ramirez (W, 5-1)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3.61
Coke (H, 1)	2.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Bruney (H, 8)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2.33
Veras	1.0	1	1	1	1	1	0	3.62

RAYS PITCHING

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alex Rodriguez (3-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, BB)

HONORABLE MENTION: Bobby Abreu (2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB)

The Yanks go for the sweep tomorrow night at Tropicana Field. Darrell Rasner makes the start for the Yankees, and he will face Rays' lefty Scott Kazmir. Game Time: 7:10 - TV: YES - Radio: WCBS 880