Yanks – Rays Deuce: Live, in blog form!

Damon down quickly as Jackson feeds him the heat right away. Jeter’s not fooled by the close ones, though, and he draws a full count walk. Abreu, however, can’t get anything started as he grounds to third, throw to second, then first, double play 5-4-3.

Pettitte starts off with a ball, but the next pitch produces a fly ball, caught by Abreu in first. Aside from Moeller catching, the defense looks the way the Yankees want it. Crawford grabs a hold of the first one and takes it the other way for a base hit to Damon. Pena with a base hit of his own, Crawford digs for third and just beats a strong throw by Bobby. He’s really got quite an arm. Upton pops to Cano and the runners hold – even Crawford is not that fast. Evan Longoria to bat now, but Pettitte sits him down to get out of the jam. Nice job, Andy!

A-Rod grounds to second, Iwamura almost misplays it but gets the out at first. Matsui doesn’t let Jackson’s prior dominance get to him, though. He hits one high, deep, and fair over the center field wall for a solo shot, Yankees lead 1-0! Giambi gets nowhere, so here comes #42 Robinson Cano. All of the TBR players are wearing #42, by the way, in honor of the great Jackie Robinson. Cano works the count full and takes a walk. Cabrera digs in with two away to try and keep the inning going or at least make Jackson work. He makes him work a bit but goes down looking on a ball (called strike) on the inside and low… That’ll do it for this half.

Pettitte gets one down quickly but quickly gives up three singles on three pitches to load the bases. A hard hit ball to Cano from Bartlett saves Pettitte 4-6-3 for the DP. Still 1-0 Yanks, thanks to some nice D and a bit of luck for Andy.

Moeller, Damon, and Jeter go down in order in the third. Pettitte gets two outs quick but walks two and gives up two singles to put the Rays up 2-1.

Abreu gets a leadoff walk in the 4th and A-Rod follows up with a double up the left field line, Abreu holds at third. Matsui grounds softly to first, scores Abreu, and moves A-Rod to third. Passed ball by Difelice and A-Rod comes home! Giambi hits one hard up the first base line but Pena snags it. Giambi can seriously not get a break. Cano can’t start anything back up and the inning ends.

Pettitte has a good inning 1-2-3, but the Yankees give young Edwin Jackson some grief with two outs. A walk to Damon, stolen base, RBI single by Jeter (he takes second on the throw), then another RBI single by Abreu. Abreu caught stealing second, though, to end the inning, 5-2 Yankees!

Petttitte has another quick 1-2-3 inning with some help from Giambi (pulled a throw out of the dirt) and himself, striking out Longoria.

That does it for Jackson as Howe takes over. A-Rod steps back in after his last AB was interrupted by Abreu’s caught stealing but struck out. Matsui, I’m guessing a little upset he didn’t get invited to the hit parade last night, singles to center. Giambi strikes out looking (didn’t see it myself, but that’s not very Giambi-like). Cano hits it hard down the first base line but Pena is there again for the stop and the third out. No damage, still 5-2.

Gomes singles to left to start off the sixth. Pettitte has shown really good control the past two innings, but he slipped a bit on that last pitch. Pop out to Difelice for the first out, then a four pitch walk to Ruggiano. Fielder’s choice by Elliot “Die Catcher Die” Johnson moves Gomes to third who then scores on an infield single by Bartlett to make it 5-3. Pettitte gets out of it by letting Crawford ground out for the third out.

Cabrera grounds out to start off the top of the seventh, but Howe gives up two walks to Moeller and Damon followed by a chuck-and-duck comebacker off of Jeter’s bat loads the bases. Abreu has a battle at the plate but pops out to short center. A-Rod strikes out on three straight breaking pitches. Straight ball, he hit it very much. But curveball… bats are afraaaaaaaid. Inning o’er, 5-3.

Pettitte bounces back himself with a quick 1-2-3 job to even his outing out at 100 pitches.

Another two-out jam for Tampa as a walk to Giambi, single to Cabrera, and walk to Moeller loads the bases in the top of the 8th. Damon flies out on a 3-2 pitch to center to end the threat. In good news, I have my desktop working again! I rule yoo!

Kyle “Grab Another Beer” Farnsworth up from the pen to take over for Pettitte. I know you’ve got the stuff, Kyle, so if you blow this for Andy, I will end you. 1-2-3 inning for Kyle, ending with a K. Good job. You may live.

Single by Jeet and a walk to Smilin’ Bobby brings up A-Rod with none away in the top of the ninth with a RISP – can he take it to the bank? After falling to 0-2, he works the count full before popping out to Elliot Johnson, so no he can’t. Fly out by Matsui to right, Jeter stays put resting his quad at second. Giambi is up and if he misses here his average will drop below .100. Ground out to second and he’s still slumping. Damn. Mo Rivera up for the save next!

Mo strikes out Johnson to start off the 9th, but he gives up a single to Bartlett to bring up Crawford. A fly ball towards the gap is charged on and caught by Damon – nice play! Pena grounds to Cano, Cano to Giambi, ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees win!

Back tomorrow for a series preview for the two gamer at home against Boston! See ya!