For every exceptional franchise like the Yankees (who are in a class of their own), there’s a “loser” franchise. For a while, despite actually winning games, the Red Sox were in this category. Another loser franchise would be the AL East’s own Tampa Bay Devil Rays. There expansion partner won a World Series five years go while they continue to lose. But it all makes sense. If the Yankees continue to win like they will, there has to be a team on the losing end. This week, in two of three games, that team was the Tampa Devil Rays.
On Tuesday, it was good ole fashioned beat down. Derek Jeter went three for five with a homerun and three RBIs and Jason Giambi went two for four with a homerun and three RBIs in the 9-1 win. Mike Mussina was solid and gave up a single run on four hits with seven strikeouts. Everyone, including myself, was worried about Moose but he has a 3-1 record and a 2.45 ERA. The Yankees bottom half of the bullpen put in some solid work. Sturtze, Villone and Proctor combine to throw three shutout innings to finish up the game.
Wednesday was the blemish. The Yankees just couldn’t get the bats going and despite a good start by Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees couldn’t put the runs on the board to pull away. Mariano Rivera dropped his second game of the season and gave up twp runs in the ten inning loss. Gary Sheffield was the Yankees offense. He drove in both runs for the Yankees with a two run shot.
Things got back to the way they should be last night. Derek Jeter went three for three with an RBI and he’s now hitting .408. Hideki Matsui drove in two runs and Shawn Chacon is picking up his game. He’s now 3-1 and gave up one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. His ERA is now down to a respectable 4.56.
Toronto comes to town this weekend, and they’re the team we’re tied with in second place. Looking ahead, the Yankees play in the shit box next week. I really hope they cheer Damon and then he puts the screws to the Red Sox with a great series. I figure by the end of that series, we’ll be back in first place where we belong.
