Looking at the pitching matchups, and how the Yankees hit at Camden, this looks like a cakewalk!
(Jinx?)

JINX....Jesus, what's with you man!

Well, Kay's in midgame form from the outset...

[2] Mmm, that tomato is telling. I'm making spaghetti tonight; experimenting a little with different spices. I like my sauce thick, spicy and kinda hot. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[0] Low-hanging fruit?

Holy smokes, Chyll Will, how many straight lines can you pack into a single comment???

1. Well, you know tomatoes, can't keep a secret.
2. Me too -- just like my women...

Okay, two.

Does Nolan Reimold get like 60% of his hits off our pitchers?

Has anyone called him "Judge" Reimold yet?

[8] Now you're Chris Berman?

[7] I'd believe it. Plus Melvin Mora had complained recently about being benched and now he's back to pissing me off.

[6] I can break that down for you if you like, but I'm about to cook dinner >;) But I like my women thin, sassy and very hot, so I'll never confuse the two...

[9] That was an inquiry, not a declaration >;)

So far. so anti-stellar.

Hm. Real hits this inning.

O's attacking in their at-bats; what can you say? I don't know if his breaking ball is flat or if he's trying too hard with his fastball, but he's got to get them off-balance with something else...

"We've secretly replaced CC Sabathia with C.J. Nitkowski .... let"s see if anyone notices ....."

[15] Like his change-up, maybe???

He's only hit 92? I hope he's just not warmed up enough, thas'all...

The slider has gotten better.

Sweet. Okay guys, wake up.

[18] I have the sound turned off, but Gameday has him hitting 95 several times.

Beckett in NO WAY should be one of those choices ...

All he does is hit HRs.

Cashman's a genius. How did we get Hinske?

[21] I was thinking of listening to the game on the radio with the sound turned off.

[25] Zen and the Art of Baseball.

Jeter seems to be cooling off a bit. I guess we couldn't expect him to hit .450 for the rest of the season.

Good try, Roberts. Ya bastard. Nice play.

Would someone tell me what happened. It sounds as though there was a close play or something. Sterling/Waldman are only elliptically discussing the play.

[29] Brian R. jump throw, it arced rather high, Damon beat it out by maybe an inch.

Did Swisher say, ".....fat boy?"

I think he did. Fat Boy. Dude, that ends it. That guy is great. That's worth it all.

[29] After bare-handing a one hopper. Cano's throws said something about "throwing like a girl."

[30] Ah, ok. Sterling called it as such:

"lined to center field and..................................Roberts throws and he's.........................safe.....[blah-blah...]..he must have gotten it off the end of his bat..."

As you can imagine, I was somewhat confused as to where the ball was hit, who fielded it, and why there was almost a play at 1B.

Swisher, I mean.

[31], [32] Now I am jealous. I seem to missing a lot of good stuff tonight.

I read Pete Abe's thing about Swisher pissing off the entire O's coaching staff yesterday. I didn't notice it happening at the time, I must say. Pete thinks he'll be hearing some chin music today.

[32] I sometimes call my dog "fat boy" even though he's in terrific shape. It just makes me laugh and he doesn't seem to mind. : )

I can only imagine the ribbing (pun anyone?) Swish gives to #52.

CC just took a while to warm up, I guess.

I wonder if Alex plays the full game after that foul ball lined off his shin. That was a direct hit. : /

Nice looking tomato!

My Roma tomato is going wild, just dropped off a pound & a half at the dojo. And I've got another pound or so warming up in the bullpen.

My zucchini plants, well, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders had a better record.

[0]

(He's been with the world)
I'm tired of the soup du jour
(He's been with the world)
I wanna end this prophylactic tour

Afraid that no-one around me
Understands my potato
Think I'm only a spud boy
Looking for a real tomato

(yes, DEVO has a song for every occasion) :-)

This is not smart (walking Hinske). It's good for us.

Grrr.

5-1 Rays over Beckett. Bottom 4.

5-1 Rays over Beckett. Bottom 3.

[46] Sweet (basil) in the sauce.

Sorry all. That stop x just doesn't work as fast as I'd like. I need a Delorian.

[46] [47] Couple home runs, a run on a (safety) squeeze.

65 pitches through three.

I predict the Score Truck makes a delivery here.

Brad Penny 3H, 0R in four innings tonight so far. Hm. Maybe Theo dumped the wrong starter?

Ace Beckett with 65 pitches thru 3. Shitting the bed to TB 5-1.

Elevator out
4 flights up, 4flights down,.twice
OK Jazz, bad shape!

How is CC looking? I see Beckett getting roughed up again..hope Tampa doesn't blow it.

Why was Swisher making comments about the O's?

[51] Where is that damn delivery?

Is anyone surprised that Mitre is making his next start. I figured they would call up someone...anyone...to fill his slot next time around, while his bruised arm mends.

[55] Damn presidential motorcade has traffic tied up.

[54] Didn't look too good to start, much better recently.

[55] Swish refused to sign for it.

This ump's got a mean, subtle, left handed under-cut punch out. Jeter must have hated throwing to Giambi.

Freakin' Garza walked Tek. 2 on, 2 out.

I know pinstripes are slimming, but does CC look bigger than he's ever been?

Inning over. 5-3.

Reimold judged that pitch correctly.

[56] Mitre was slotted for Thursday but replaced by Gaudin. He has been pushed back (forward) to Sunday.

[64] Sound like the upcoming roster at the Theatre of the Absurd.. "Mitre, Gaudin, Artaud! This week ONLY!"

Cano making a move towards being the top 2B in the game..only Utley is better?

How about Teixeira to PH against the new lefty?

[63] So he gets a half-turn through the rotation off, I guess.

Penny is now scoreless through six against the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

[66] I'm not paying attention--is Cervelli on the bench? I would save the PH for Molina. Though now with two outs it's probably not worth it.

[69] Or not.

It's fun when the other guys play Bullpen Roulette.

The Captain is ofer. IF there was ever a time to guarantee a hit this is it.

[71] Yes, fun. But also slow.

[69] Yes, Frankie Brains is in the building. But you could have had Teix PH for Hinske, Jorgie for Molina, so I don't follow you.

[74] I'm operating on the assumption that Jorge will get the day off and be used only as a last resort--definitely not going in behind the plate in the mid-innings.

Shite and Bollocks.

A quick seventh and maybe they can squeeze eight out of CC, though unlikely. Perhaps tonight we see a well rested Hughes.

Brad Penny: 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB. 85 pitches.

[77] Hughes, Marte, maybe a little bit of Mo. We should have a large advantage.

[77] Hey MP, i showed the Dos XX clip to some ladies here..they all thought he was super handsome and "had charisma"!!

Time for Swish to make a delivery to Eutaw St..

[79] Can Hughes and Mo both be used in a tie game, or will the universe collapse? I sure hope the Score Truck gets here soon!!

[81] I think I see it.

Johnny didn't score on a double when running from 1B, this denying Swisher his Score Truck badge.

[81] Maybe Hughes can be used in a tie game, and then Mo pitches the bottom after we score?

Or maybe we score here?

Fun. Fun. Fun.

[82] Right on time.

Score Truck!

[83] Would have been almost impossible. The Swisher hit was popped toward the LF line, and it wasn't clear whether Reimold was going to get to it. Johnny couldn't possibly run flat out.

[84] Or maybe we score here?

And the universe is saved for one more night.

[85] Daddy replaced the T Bird with a big, fat, truck...

[87] Swisher hit was popped toward the LF line...

Ah, I fell for Sterling's "lined down the line" call.

[89] Just wait until the leader of the pack shows up. I can picture Swish in motorcycle with Damon in the side car. )

[89] And we'll have fun, fun, fun . . .

[90] That's the second false "lined" he's fooled you with tonight, I believe.

[90] I'm pretty sure calling baseball games for a living would make me happy.

A-Rod is so clutchity-clutch this year..I love it!

[93] Can we take a collection for all Banterites stuck with Sterling to upgrade to mlb.com? No one should have to suffer that for 162 games..

[94] Yep. Fool me once...

[96] That was for [93], of course.

[95] Nah, that's ok. It adds a whole different dimension to the baseball experience, a new level of mystery and suspense, a certain je ne sais quoi .

Bruney is throwing???

[98] You mean, that which does not kill me makes me stronger. Not sure if there are any confirmed deaths due to Sterling.

Unlike Hawk Harrelson.

[98] I've basically stopped watching espn in favor of the MLB channel but I caught it the other night for a few minutes. The one guy was killing Waldman with an impression of the game The Rocket appeared in George's box. Deserved I s'pose.

Sterling just said that Bruney is warming. Please tell me he's pulling my leg again.

Jesus.... Robbie is SMOOOOOOTH !!!!!

Jesus, that is just freaking beautiful.

Gooooooood Robbie!

See Roberts, THAT'S how you throw across the diamond. Don't ya' know.

Robinson inspires a sort of Christian thanksgiving, doesn't he, OYF? (103, 104) Also inspires holding down the "o" key.

[101] I'm not exactly a Waldman fan, but making fun of that particular moment doesn't sit right with me. Not sure why. Sure, it was goofy and kind of unprofessional... but harping on it seems maybe misogynistic. Just my gut reaction.

[106] He can disarm you with his bat or his throwing arm. He is...the most interesting man in the world.

[101] Way to stay current, ESPN..am very glad I have not watched any of their stuff in years, I just stick to the website over here.

MLB channel a big success so far?

Brad Penny: 8 shutout innings against the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

[108] Oh yes! BOO-Yah!

[107] It's funny that you used the word unprofessional. Earlier this evening she was gigling and gushing over some or other Yankee feet, which led my wife to impersonate her and me to call her, precisely, "unprofessional." Maybe there is a level of misogyny, perhaps holding her to a higher standard or mocking her more ferociously.

But she is simply awful, and awfully unprofessional, IMO.

Slowly, inexorably the Rays are frittering away the game.

Obviously Mo is unavailable, since Bruney has entered the game.

[109] I don't know about national ratings or anything but I watch it all the time. My wife just ignores me when I tell her how great it is. I always liked Haryold Reynolds and Al Leiter is on a lot as well. The only problem is whenever they replay an old game, dollars to donuts Timmy McCarver is calling it. He's been ruining great moments for well over 20 years now.

[114] Hughes obviously can't go the 8th and 9th. That would just be ludicrous.

Blug.

This is beautiful.

Mufferflugger!

Why isn't Marte available?

[116] Exactly. That's why Mo must be unavailable, so Hughes has to get the Save ®, and Bruney was sent out to get the Eighth Inning. But that little plan has backfired.

What a tangled web we weave, eh?

[121] I believe Mo is in the bullpen, but Joe prefers not to use him.

Damnit. I thought Judge Reinhold was in one of my favorite 80's movies. I could have made a "Weekend at Bruney's " joke.

Wait, Phil Hughes is to get 4 outs?!

[120] Because he pitched two days ago? Because it's the Eighth Inning? Who knows.

If Mo is not available today, I wonder why that is. Could it have something to do with closing out consecutive Save Situations ®, both three run+ leads in the ninth?

[124] Let's not get ahead of ourselves. There is still a chance for the ol' one out appearance.

Please tell me this is not a one and done appearance.

[125] Bruney DID get one out. But then the homer which ruins his "perfect" relief appearance. So off with his head. Oy.

Dammit, MLB.COM didn't come back from the commercial and I missed Cokey's out.

[122] Well, OK, so he's "available," but only as a secondary option.

Hey, Team, barely following on gameday, but I have one question: why did we just fuck around with Phil Coke?

One pitch. Good work, son. Hit the showers.
.
.
.
I kid, I kid. He'll be out for the ninth. I think.

Pull Phil. He lloks tired.

[103] [104] Oooh, what'd Robbie do?

Affeldt completes the shut-out for the Giants, Brad Penny gets an impressive W.

[132] IT WAS TWO PITCHES !!!!!!!!!!!

[131] I believe the answer to that question is 42.

[136] : )

[134] Those comments were for a grounder up the middle, which he fielded smoothly, sidestepped to the bag, fired a rope to first to complete the DP. And by coincidence, YES just showed it again as I was typing as the Play of the Game.

[126] Mo's sitting.

[131] Lefty.
Duh.

Hm. Waldman just suggested that Hughes is "one of those pitchers that, when he's got his good stuff, can get lefties out too." This in reference to the fact that a lefty is scheduled to bat in the ninth.

How about that.

1. Yay small ball!
2. Good game for Johnny D.

C'mon, let's get another delivery from the Score Truck.

[142] Mel Allen would've been proud...

[142] It's good that she does recognize the possibility. She and John say something similar (irrelevance of the traditional L/R moves) for some other pitcher. No, for some hitter. It'll come to me.
The sad thing is that it always seems to come as such a surprise to them.

[137] Would that be the Meaning of Life 42, or BB comment 42?

[146] Cano, that's it. They both know that Rob can hit lefties.

Base clogger.

Let's just hope for 10 runs and the Edwar in the 9th. : O

[147] Meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

[139] Nice. He can be so clutch out there. Let's hope he can keep it together as September transitions to October.

Would you guys please stop tossing around that "42" in a discussion of Yankee relief pitchers? I love Doug Adams as much as the next guy, but really, IS NOTHING SACRED?

[142] Oh, Jesus, you're making me wince.

Whoo and Hoo. Good on ya' A-Rod.

My roommate looks at Nick Swisher and says, "aww, he's so adorable!" His face is very expressive, but I dunno about adorable...

Lt. Clutch!

[153] Oops...I didn't realize I was taking the number of Mo in vain.
.
.
Stat padder, A-Rod.

It's great to have such a good CLUTCH on the Score Truck.

Yay! And A-Rod doesn't kill the rally by hitting a selfish grand slam!

[156] my MOM thinks he's cute!! What is it about that guy??

This team is ridiculous. : D

[146] They say that about every lefty bat we've had in the past decade. Matsui, Cano, O'Neill, Damon, Giambi. They love to talk about how our lefties are not the mere mortal lefties who can't hit lefties.

Awesome. Good job, Godzilla. And this is exactly why I hate Bullpen Roulette when Joe plays it.

Now, does this mean Hughes does get to pitch the ninth, or that he doesn't? Does it matter that Hughes but nobody else is eligible for a Save?

[160] I think it's the devilish look in his eye. That can be quite a turn-on.

[162] I hadn't realized that. I mean, I guess I forgot that they always said it about Giambi.

[160] Ha! Remember when I said I felt sorry for him when he hit what looked like a home run when it was caught at the warning track; it seemed like everyone was hitting it out but him that night. He's very expressive; people tend to sympathize with people with overt expressiveness.

Waldman just reported Swisher to the BP...

[163] What, have Hughes pitch the ninth and get somewhere within 100 innings of his limit?!

Many of the crappy teams in baseball I feel bad for but B'more is not one of them. I hope they go another 13 years under .500. Atta boy, Melky.

Oh, go Melky!

These late-inning parties are fun. After the tension of a close game, it's very cathartic.

The Rays are going to gift wrap this one for the Sox. Ugh.

[170] You're so right. It's kind of the perfect type of game, 'cause you get both the tension and the gluttony.

[171] Oh, man, three walks in the eighth. Yeesh.

Fuckin' Rays walk the bases loaded.... one out.

WP... bounces 6' in front pf HP. Tied game.
Gonzo Ks. 2 out, 2nd and 3rd.

The Rays' pen is unbelievable. The Sox score and have men on second and third, without the benefit of a hit.

[171] When you said gift wrap did you mean a bases loaded wild pitch? With Alex Gonzalez at the plate. FUCK.

Frakkin' dummy Rays!

Mistajoemolina, Mr. Jose Molina...

Rays should be kicked in the nuts.

Ellsbury Ks. Inning ovah. Tied 5-5.

Man, when you can hear Yankee fans do the roll call in the opposing stadium, wow.

In fact, the Sox didn't even put the ball in play once that inning. Amazing.

Oh well, as long as we keep winning! (I admit I was thinking about getting maybe 8 games up and then I'd really feel like the race was over.)

There. Jeter keeps it movin'...

I think Mr. Ok Jazz has just passed out somewhere thinking about a Yanks-Sox ALCS rematch.

OMG..everyone see the picture of David Wright over at Pete Abraham's blog?? That new helmet.. "they cannot be serious!!"

[184] Have already scheduled days off in late October..I cannot sit at my desk at ACME Investigations while Gameday fries my brain...

Laying waste.........F you O's. And you too Ravens.

[179] Ooh-ooh, Mister J Molina...you really make me sick with pitch blocking behavior.

Nice reference!

Well, no way Hughes returns now, right? After all that cooling off?

[189] But...it...is...a...Save Situation ®.

Hooray for Manny Delcarmen!!! Love that dude...

TB with a goal.
Whoa!!!! Longo with a 2 run jack,
Rays up 8-5 in the 8th!

[185] I don't think the helmet looks that bad. Besides, you don't pick up chicks on the diamond. That's afterwards & an in-shape athlete with a wad of dough shouldn't have problems.

Now the question is, after sitting so long, does Phil come back out?

And from the TB-BOS game you can here voice crying out: "I'm not dead yet."

[185] Harold Reynolds was wearing one on the MLB network earlier this eve. He looked absolutely ridiculous. But if it can withstand a 100 mph heater well who cares. They've apparently sent 6 test helmets to every team.
[186] Awesome.

[194] "hear a voice..."

[185] That's just begging for torture. Poor guy...

[190] !!!!
I was kidding, as were you, but I really wonder if that's what Joe is thinking.

Greetings folks -- I'm in Philly and caught a game at Citizens Bank Ballpark tonight. It's not a bad little park actually and the cheesesteaks are good. To whomever recommend Tony Lukes and Jim's they're both fantastic -- LOL, I had an all cheesesteak diet today.

Good win for the Yanks; I hope the Rays win (now that they're leading 8-5) and the Sox are probably going to fall behind 7.5 games.

Oh, and I checked their schedule and it appears that the Sox will be playing 16games in a row to close the season. I don't know if anyone's talked about that here yet; they have an easy schedule, but that many games is going to wear out their pen if they hope to catch the Yanks, which is now almost a lost cause.

I guess Phil does come back out.

Cuts down a Wieters