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WWOR broadcast means Kay’s back assaulting my ears, insulting my Yankee acumen. What I want for Chanukah this year is a button to just turn him off; I will gladly accept that particular gift early…
Yanks hang a 4-spot on the Rays in the 3rd for what looks like some breathing room. Singleton, who’s been threatening this since the 1st pitch is finally able to say, “Someone’s gotta pay,” which is what he said the Yanks would be thinking/saying following the 12 inning shut-out the previous night.
Cano’s 2-run shot, the big blow in the inning, is headed for the wall and I’m starting to think about the AL MVP again. I think the big award is open to whoever gets hot and carries his team down the home stretch. Cabrera’s got the numbers – for certain – but he’s doing it for the go-nowhere Tigers. Hamilton is in the running, but not if he’s hurt and not playing. Who else, then?

Nova’s cruising along, 1 hit into the fourth, when he either gets those young guy 5th inning blues when they see a W on their record or just runs out of gas. He doesn’t seem to yet be a distance guy. And although it was obvious that Pena talked Girardi into letting Nova face one more batter in the 5th frame, trying to let the kid get the victory, Nova can’t nail it down. Logan comes in and gives up a 3-run dinger which wrecks Nova’s line, is the first run Logan’s given up in a while, and there went the breathing room as well as the lead.
But, the catch Granderson makes in the right-center field gap to close out the bottom of the 9th still tied at 6 is “Holy Cow” worthy. And as I hand out that new award, another goes to Hip Hip Jorge, who came off the bench to lead off the 10th and blasted a solo shot far over the centerfield wall, for what turned out to be the winning run.
The last “Holy Cow” goes to the kid in for defense in right, Greg Golson. Flat-footed he sends a laser to A-Rod at third nailing Crawford attempting to tag up. End of game as Crawford violates that cardinal (see Yanks; see Rays) sin of making the 3rd out at 3rd base – and to end the 1-run game. Thanks Carl!
Yeah, he gave up 2 runs in 5 innings pitched, but still – how freaking unfair is it to make the AA Playoffs only to wind up facing Andy Freakin’ Pettitte? Yeah, he’s only the man with the most W’s in MLB post-season history. Take that Altoona…
The Rays can’t sell out their joint for this series? Pathetic! It really is. Rays fans stay away in droves (crowds of 26-28K) and watch on their televisions…
Poor Giants. They hold the dread Dodgers to one freakin’ hit, but lose 1-0 on Uribe’s error back of second. Much like the Yanks the night before, you have to score a run at some point or you are going to lose; it’s how the game works…