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The Big Yawn
2008-09-04 19:21
by Alex Belth

The Rays needed a win and they played well on Thursday night while the hapless Yanks played like they had a plane to catch.  Okay, that's not fair.  Maybe it just seemed that way.  Scott Kazmir was solid, allowing just one hit over six innings, though he did walk five batters.  But Darrell Rasner didn't make it out of the second inning and gave up five runs.  Alfredo Aceves threw five innings in relief, giving up just one run and was a bright spot, and the Yanks did make it interesting late. 

Tampa led 7-0 going into the ninth but the Yanks scored five runs before calling it a night:  with two out, Derek Jeter smacked a three-run homer to right and then Alex Rodriguez hit an absolute blast into the catwalk in left.  Rodriguez's shot was dumb nice, career dinger #550.  But it was too little too late, the story of the Yankees' season, as Xavier Nady popped out to end the game. 

Rays 7, Yanks 5.

So our boys take the long cross-country flight to Seattle where Melky Cabrera will re-join the team.  Speaking of cross country, check out this soporific soul classic by Archie Whitewater, the perfect lullaby for a long trip:

Comments
2008-09-04 19:46:14
1.   pistolpete
Wow, I turned it off at 6-0. Good thing. Had I witnessed the 5-spot in the 9th and an eventual loss anyway, I might have kicked the dog.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here wondering if John McCain has ever heard of Crest Whitestrips.

Oh, and if he really needs a "USA" chant after every 3 sentences. Good Lord, this is like watching the meeting they had to build the Death Star...

2008-09-04 20:41:55
2.   Bruce Markusen
Well, I've seen enough of Rasner. He needs to be pinpoint with his stuff, and he just isn't pinpoint often enough. If he's in the rotation again next year, that's a bad sign. At best, give him a chance to pitch long relief, or let him loose.

On the other hand, Aceves is intriguing. I'd like to see him get a start or two down the stretch, to see how he can handle starting assignments. Heck, he pitched the equivalent of a start tonight.

2008-09-04 21:56:49
3.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Joe Poznanski has a bit on the defensive efficiency of the Yanks middle-infield...it isn't pretty, last in the majors...

sigh...

2008-09-05 02:47:13
4.   ieddyi
The USA chant was used to drown out the clown protesters who apparently are not in favor of free speech.
You'd rather hear the Code Pink idiots screeching?
2008-09-05 03:32:23
5.   JL25and3
4 I thought the protesters were trying to exercise their own freedom of speech.
2008-09-05 03:35:11
6.   JL25and3
2 Unfortunately, he's exactly what I see in Ian Kennedy.
2008-09-05 03:48:56
7.   ieddyi
5 I guess you missed the part where with freedom comes responsibility . In an absolute sense, yes they had that freedom. The police also have the right to deal with that type of moronic behavior in the way they did. Are you really supportive of that type of behavior? Funny how those attempts at limiting the rights of others to express themselves typically come from the supposedly more tolerant libs
2008-09-05 04:07:19
8.   williamnyy23
1 Politics in the morning! What is happening to the Banter? Maybe Alex needs to start a sister site called Beltway Banter?

2 Rasner was necessary earlier in the year, but every start he makes in September is a colossal waste. I also agree with you that Aceves looks like he has real potential (not just a flash in the pan). If anything, this season has proven that the Yankees do have a bevy of good arms who should at least be league average type relievers (but with a lot of upside). That's a nice place to be going forward. Now, if Wang recovers, C.C. comes to the Big City and Hughes can find himself, the Yankees have the makings of a very good pitching staff.

7 Maybe the RNC needed the Yankees crack staff on hand for security :)? Ultimately, forms of protest like that backfire anyway.

2008-09-05 04:17:02
9.   ieddyi
Sir Sidney also.

If we're out of it why not try the alternatives with potential?

If we're not out of it why stick with the alternatives that have proven to be ineffective?

Seems like at times the new Joe also has a tendency the stick with " his guys " too long

2008-09-05 04:28:28
10.   williamnyy23
9 When Girardi stated he was going to stick with Ponson because he didn't have any experienced options, my stomach turned. One of the biggest question marks entering 2009 is the manager.
2008-09-05 06:46:46
11.   rbj
5 I've got no problem with people exercising their freedom of speech. But last night it was McCain's turn to speak. I've got real problems with both presidential nominees, but when it's each one's turn to state his case I'd rather hear them than someone else interrupting their turn on the soapbox. And that's all I'm going to say on politics.

I got in late so I missed that play and only saw a brief replay of it, but did Eli do another "play", getting out of a sack and hitting the receiver who had to make a fantastic play? Redskins looked out of sync, so a 16-7 win is a bit troubling, shouldn't the Giants have crushed the 'Skins.

When 60% of your rotation is Pavano, Ponson and let's pull a name from the hat, well it just ain't good.

2008-09-05 09:56:50
12.   Biscuit Pants
Politics aside, Rasner reminds me an awful lot of Scott Kaminiecki

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