Who was that third-place team?
Mike Mussina went six serviceable innings, Xavier Nady clobbered a two-run homer and the bullpen finished things up as the
Yanks cut down the Rays 7-2 in Tampa. The Bombers scored six unanswered runs at one point by doing the things they haven't been able to do consistently on offense this season. Jason Giambi hit a sacrifice fly to tie the score at 1-1 in the fourth, Jose Molina sacrificed Robinson Cano to third and Johnny Damon drove him in with a triple and Derek Jeter followed with an RBI-ground out with less than two outs.
Joba Chamberalin made his return from the disabled list and pitched well even though it looked like he wasn't firing on all cylinders. Dan Giese also came back from his stint on the DL and pitched a perfect ninth to close things out.
Oh, where was this type of play all season?
The Good:Mike Mussina. It wasn't a cakewalk, but The Moose did more than enough to come away with the victory. Mussina was helped out by some sloppy baserunning in the second when Eric Hinske willed himself a triple. The problem was that Willy Aybar was at first and stopped at third base. Yes, the rules clearly state that two runners cannot occupy the same base. Aybar was "thrown out" at home and the Rays didn't score in the inning. Still, Moose was a strike-throwing machine and even though he tired in the seventh, he gave the Yanks another quality start. Mussina improved to 17-7 with this: 6+ IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K.
Damaso Marte. It had the makings of another disappointing Yankee meltdown when Marte entered the game in the seventh, but the lefty got the job done. Marte took the hill with a runner on second and nobody out and quickly gave up a single and despair was in the air. But Marte struck out B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena before giving way to Chamberlain. Marte won't get an "H," or hold, in the box score, but he was instrumental in securing this win. Marte's night: .2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.
Xavier Nady. The X-Man has been slumping a bit lately (.222 in his past seven games coming into Tuesday's action), but he belted one of the longest homers you will ever see in the fourth to give the Yanks a 3-1 lead. It was Nady's 22nd tater of the year (9th as a Yank) and even though YES showed a few replays, I still can't tell what happened to that ball. Did it hit the catwalk? The roof? Anyway, it was here one second and gone the next. Therefore, Nady's X-Man persona will be everyone's favorite teleporter -- Nightcrawler. Nady finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBIs.
The Bad:Bobby Abreu. There were only two Yankee starters who failed to record hits Tuesday night. One was Jose Molina, but he contributed with a sacrifice bunt so he gets a pass (even though he struck out in his other three at-bats). The Candy Man picked up the 0'fer and his average dipped under .300 with his effort (or lack thereof). Yeah, I know I'm being a jerk, but sometimes that's what has to be done to get guys back on track. Abreu finished 0 for 4.
The Ugly:Home sweet home? The Rays are in first-place after a decade in the cellar, have the best record in the Majors and sport the game's best record at home (52-19 heading into Tuesday). In limped the Yanks, a team struggling to remain in the playoff hunt and a squad that has tortured Tampa since their inception. Was the place packed? Negative! The attendance at the Trop was announced at 21,629, and even that total seemed generous. For shame, Tampa fans.
Carl Pavano (2-0, 3.27 ERA) will go against Edwin Jackson (11-8, 3.81 ERA) in the middle game. Jackson had a terrific August (4-1, 2.27 ERA) and hasn't given up more than three runs in his past seven starts. It seems like the hard-throwing 24-year-old is finally living up to his potential. Jackson is 1-1 with a 2.59 ERA in four starts against the Yanks this season. Pavano looked sharp in his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays and will continue his pursuit of a multi-year contract next season. Pavano is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay.
One game at a time, fellas.
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