Down three runs in the top of the first to the Jays with Roy Halladay on the mound? Yeah, I don't blame you if you turned the TV off at that point and enjoyed your Labor Day weekend. I wish I was that smart.
Pettitte ran into a little tough luck in the top of the first when Nady misjudged a fly ball allowing the second and third runs to score. Then Scott Rolen ran into a curve in the second for the Jays' fourth run. The Yanks battled back, putting two solo shots on the board, but that was false hope. The tattered bullpen couldn't hold them there and it probably wouldn't have mattered if they had.
The bright spot of this game was the performance of Al Acevedes. The 25 year-old rook threw 2 perfect innings and struck out three in his big league debut. I'd like to see him get a start or two in the next couple of weeks. If they dont' go in that direction, it'll be nice to have a real long reliever out there, they've sure been missing one since Geise went down.
Tomorrow is a one-game affair in Detroit before the Yanks head to Tampa, then out west for a long road trip. 10 games in 10 days. This season is over, but the next week and a half will show me a couple of things. First, it's going to show me who cares. Who will still show up every day. Who has a never say die attitude. Most of these guys have played do-or-die games for this team, with mixed results, but not all of them. Everyone can get up for those games, it takes a true professional to care when the games don't matter. The second thing I'm going to look for is how Girardi handles it. Will he be able to keep this team together? Has he lost credibility in his own clubhouse? Important questions.
Player of The Game: Acevedes
Team Record: 72-64 (2 games ahead of the Jays for 4th place)
Damon: None
Brian - yup, the season is over. However it would be nice to keep the Deadsox from making the playoffs this year.
I think we have 3 left at Fenway.
Yup, last three of the season.