Rays pound Yanks in round one

Let's get to some live blogging, shall we? So far, both pitchers look sharp and as of the bottom of the second, there is yet to be a baserunner, in fact, nobody has left the infield. At one point in the bottom of the first, Pettitte reached 94 with his fast ball. Updates, as usual, with live blogging throughout the game.

Bottom 2nd:

Pena signed a three-year contract with Tampa Bay and Hanley Ramirez was locked up with the Marlins. Both teams are trying for a new stadium to replace some of the worst home parks in baseball. Good for Florida baseball fans.

Pettitte's locating his fastball and throwing a hard cutter at will right now, just ask Evan Longoria, who went down fishing at the latter. Through two innings, 1-0 Tampa on two softly hit bloopers by Gomes and Navarro; the Gomes stolen base set up the cheap run. Both pitchers remain sharp, but Tampa ran into some quality placement to take the lead.

Top 3rd:

Robinson Cano now has a seven-game hit streak with the infield single to begin the inning. He seems to be getting the hits that weren't falling earlier in the season which is always a good sign. Evan Longoria almost made a top web gem by trying to rob the hit....He's going to be very, very, good. Jose Molina promptly grounded into a double play. I'm quite certain as long as Molina hits the ball on the ground, it's a guaranteed DP; Molina runs like he's in quick sand and wearing a potato sack for pants.

Meanwhile, Alberto Gonzalez took a fast ball the other way for a base hit. Say what you will about his offensive scouting report, but the guy just looks natural and comfortable in the batter's box. I'd be curious to see a study on players who were not highly touted that made something of themselves. Almost regardless of what happens with the Attorney General, we all know how I feel about Ross Ohlendorf, so that Randy Johnson trade is looking really good right about now.

Why would Navarro fake a snap throw with two outs and two strikes on a borderline pitch? I think he had a better shot at getting a called strike three had he done nothing than if he went through with trying to nail Gonzalez sleeping. Luckily it only costed Garza two extra pitches.

1-0 Rays.

Bottom 3rd:

Iwamura is a freak. Being that obsessed with the number "1" can't be healthy. It reminds me of Turk Wendell's obsession with the number "9". He wore 99 and demanded the number be in his paycheck right down to the cent. Needless to say, Turk Wendell is the only Quinnipiac player to ever play in the majors. Go Bobcats!

1-0 Rays.

Top Fourth:

New York still has not reached second base collectively. It must not be June yet. At least they are starting to hit it in the air, which means Garza is leaving his pitches up and not well placed. Bold prediction: The Yankees score in the sixth.

Bottom Fourth:

Part of the inevitable patting on the back I will act upon myself when the Yankees score in the sixth is having the game remain close. A leadoff double and single doesn't help accomplish that.

Gomes with two steals and the game is not even half finished-that's unacceptable.

Light-hitting Jason Bartlett then tripled to officially end any chance of a solid start by Andy Pettitte. Baserunning, timely hitting, rallies? What is this game they are talking about? Why isn't Tampa waiting around for the long ball?

Iwamura singles, 5-0 Rays. That will be it for live blogging for now...I have to....Return some video tapes. Pettitte and the Yankees cannot afford two things: 1. pitching ineffectively and allowing huge innings and 2. Alternating wins and losses. You are not paid to be a .500 team, the fans do not pay for you to be a .500 team and nobody has expectations of being a.500 team, so this team needs to start acting how they will in July, earlier.

OK, so NHL 2K6 made me feel better. 7-1 final in this one, Garza pitched like the stud he's projected to become. Tampa has a lot of energy, but one game isn't going to sell me. And by the way, can we proclaim Johnny Gomes an official Yankees killer yet? Two more hits and two more RBI today.