Random musings from the nosebleed section of Tropicana for the Rays-Yankees finale.

7:15 Top of the first, 0-0
Not quite pennant fever but the fans definitely have developed some sort of affliction. Not quite sure if that is whooping cough or if they really were booing the once venerable Derek Jeter.

7:35 Top 2nd, Yankees 2, Rays 1
Crawford, how me miss thee. Despite a valiant, all-out sprawling effort by Eric Hinske, Pudge’s sinking liner barely hits turf for a two-run double. Carl Crawford makes that play at a brisk jog.

8:02 Bottom 3rd, Yankees 5, Rays 1

This is turning into a bloodbath quickly. Edwin Jackson has been avoiding the strike zone like he was the ghost of Steve Irwin avoiding the Rays touchtank in centerfield. The Yankees are sitting dead red on 2-1 counts and they are making Jackson pay for it. Jason Giambi missed a homerun by mere inches. I may have to abandon the Al Hrabosky facial hair in favor of the Giambi after that one.

8:27 Top 4th, Yankees 6, Rays 1
The scoreboard flashed an unsavory bit of news; Baltimore has lost to the Red Sox, 5-4.

Oh yeah, and I picked the right hat in the three helmet monte game. Go me. Boo on the Orioles.

8:41 Bottom 4th, Yankees 6, Rays 3
The natives are restless. After a moonrocket shot somewhere near the jumbotron in right by Gabe Gross, the fans decided it was time to start a “Yankees suck” chant. I love this newfound spirit. The Yankees response? Carl Pavano promptly plunked shortstop Jason Bartlett in the meaty section. (Does he even HAVE a meaty section?)

This might be interesting after all. The Rays have two guys that they protect vigorously: Bartlett and Aki Iwamura. Expect a retaliatory plunking in about two innings, hopefully from a Balfour-type executed against a A-rod-type.

Where’s Jonny Gomes when you really need him?

9:04 Bottom 5th, Yankees 6, Rays 3
Oh Evan, how we miss thee. Willy Aybar with bases loaded and nobody out. End result – double play.

9:16 Top 6th, Yankees 6, Rays 3
J.P. Howell. In retrospect I would have traded two Joey Gathrights for him. There is a comeback in the air. My Krystal ball confirms it.

9:40 Bottom 7th, Yankees 6, Rays 3
Balfour, yes. HBP no. Although they did turn a nifty strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play.

10:00 Bottom 8th, Yankees 6, Rays 3
Like the Rays the laptop is losing juice. To be continued.