The Rays need to sweep to remain in mathematically. I just hope they take the 1st game, or else they might not show up for games 2 & 3.

Time for the Yanks to make a dreadful season that much worse and put their foot on Bobby V's throat.

Bobby might need his groucho disguise to leave Fenway come Wednesday night.

Let's go Yan-Kees!!!

Just make the other guy blink first.

1) Agreed and 2) Hell yeah.

Let's GO YANK-EES!!!!!

[1] Oakland would have to lose too. I'm sure Texas will fight hard.

Oh, and clinching a play in WC spot is clinching a warm bucket of spit.

While Laptops can pitch a very good game, this already horrible Red Sox lineup is also missing Pedroia AND Ellsbury.

I hate to set us up, but really....
If we lose this game, we should demand a Yankees mass suicide.

1.Pedro Ciriaco – 2B
2.Daniel Nava – LF
3.Cody Ross – RF
4.Mauro Gomez – 1B
5.Ryan Lavarnway – DH
6.Jarrod Saltalamacchia – C
7.Danny Valencia – 3B
8.Che-Hsuan Lin – CF
9.Jose Iglesias – SS

I mean, how many of those guys did you know were baseball players?

I think Tampa will play hard even when eliminated. I just can't see Maddon lying down. (I mean, figuratively -- of course I cannot literally see him lying down. Right now.)

How bad is that lineup?
Players in Seattle are ROFL!

Doesn't Ichiro look like he's doing a little 'soft shoe' when he catches fly balls?

RIYank is here!
RIYank is here!

You can now count on updates on the Red Sox game!

Four Red Sox below .200.

[10] We're the only fans in New England watching this game.

The thing is, Clay Buchholz is good. So, the Yankees can't do that thing where they get two guys on and then fail to score. Because Cody Ross might hit a home run or something.

This Red Sox lineup leaves me with one feeling.

http://cache.ohinternet.com/images/b/be/Ackbar.jpg

How about a break out from ARod. Guess ChangeUp....

What in the hell was A-Rod doing in that last at bat?

[15] I'm not sure the Yankees could hit a changeup with a personalized invitation.

Satalamacchia .187 with RISP? Sign him up!

I'll always remember Valencia as the guy the Twins made wear the Borat suit on hazing day

Danny Valencia's OBP is lower than his batting average. That's very unusual.

[20] No walks and a sac fly will do that.

Looks like we got our playoff line up tonight. Except maybe Ibanez at DH?

HOORAY!

KABOOM!

Cano. Is. Smokin'.

I was at the game when Russell Branyan hit the restaurant. That's a poke.

[21] Right, the only way is to have more sac flies than walks. So... it's very unusual!

Yes. Atta boy, Granderson! : )

Grandy!

Oh boy.

Strike out this! [clutching his nutsack]

Belly to belly

Review time.

That might be fan interference

Belly to Belly!

Belly to belly! Uh oh.

I still think it's a homer.

We need the replacement umps

No indisputable evidence

Fuck you Valentine - enjoy your last 3 days as a MLB manager

[32] Great minds...

I think it *probably* would have hit the wall and rolled in.

[40] Shhhhh.

I'm really hoping he comes back next year. All of RSN assumes he's gone.

To be honest, I preferred Buchholz's father, Horst, in 1-2-3 and Judgment at Nuremberg

[43] I really, really dislike him, so I'd love to see him fail, get fired and slink away in humiliation.

At the same time, I'd love to see him continue to run the Sox into the ground

[45] Right, I pretty much agree. It would be nice if he could be cloned, so both things could happen.

It will be more fun in my world, though, with him as skipper. It'll drive the locals nuts.

C'mon, Alex. Do something good!

Alex Cobb loses his no-hitter in the fourth inning. Still no score.

Do we resign Ichiro if he is cheap (and he should be)?
I would love to have Gritner bat 9th and then Ichiro lead off.

Good enough.

Damn, that sounded like three runs off the bat. Just one.

[49] Where do they both fit in the lineup?

Even though it IS the Sux (and CC), why do I pray we get some more runs here.

Like that!

Fucking AWESOME!

That's more like it.

Touchdown!!!

[46] Com'mon Dude. How much fun will it be for us next year if Valentine is still in Boston? (Although I did like that clone idea!).

I'm loving this. Buh bye Clay. See you next year.

Holy cow. Looks like I missed a lot, tuning in late.

Buccholz gone already...

This is true. But what will Ichiro command? $3m? More? Let Grandy go and put that $10m to Swisher, or pitching? Anyway, he would probably be a 4th OFer. Rest Teix and have Swish at 1B. Pinch runner. LIDR for Swish?

I don't know. I just like the guy. And it would be fun to occasionally see him and Gritner on base at the same time.

Poor Ace.

Valentine loathes Aceves. This is a punishment.

I like baseball.

[61] was for [52].
TEIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX1

FOUR HOME RUNS IN ONE INNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark's back! Touchdown and a safety.

OK - its not funny anymore (actually it is and I'm laughing my nuts off)

THAT's what I'm talkin' about!

[64] That's got to be a record?

Zobrist!

Shit!
That would have been the record.

TB up 1-0.

I really hope tb can hold on to this (and oakland loses to let them keep some hope alive)

OH NO!!!!!!!!
It's the Rope-a-dope trick.
The Sox are trying to tire out our batters arms!

I'm very glad CC is our guy. Man. What was the last real ace we had before him?

I'm watching NESN (you too Old Yank Fan, I assume). We're watching Jenny Dell interview Teixeira. Great job, Jenny.

Also, NESN has shown Jeter a lot. They like Jeter.

Just noticed the "Strike Out" message on the Stadium scoreboard uses three exclamation points. That is cheesy. What happened to mystic?

Nice short inning for CC.

Take CC out!

Might need an all hands on deck game in the next few, so llet the minor leaguers finish off these minor leaguers

[78] Hm. Interesting. You may have a point.

[79] And we could need him Thursday, is what I was thinking.

The problem is - what is Coffee Joe thinking?

[79] Give him five inning for the W. Also take Derek out for his ankle.

WE'RE DOOMED!

CC probably goes for 5 is my guess. Then pull him out in case you need him on short rest later.

[85] Meaning Friday.
But the thing is, it's starting to look unlikely that we'll have to play Friday, unless they have to play Thursday...

Welcome to Bronx Banter, by the way!

its way too premature to say its 'unlikely.' The tb/bal game is way too early to call... and nor can we guarantee we will sweep boston. TBH unless we are actually *up* a game on baltimore I would have to say it seems pretty likely. Heh call me pessimistic, but 1-0 TB isnt making me think the orioles will lose. I mean hell a base hit right now ties that game.

Also thanks for the welcome. Ive actually been here for years but never posted much.

RIPPER!!!

also to add if the yanks tack on a couple of runs you might as well take CC out after five just in case (and hopefully that doesnt jinx anything).

[87] Yeah, it's unlikely. And no, it's not too early to say that.

You are correct, we cannot guarantee that we will sweep Boston. 'Unlikely' does not mean 'impossible', though, so that's irrelevant.

If, as seems most likely, we are one game up at midnight tonight, then for the Yankees to have to play Friday without playing Thursday, they have to lose both remaining games while the Orioles win both their remaining games. That is very, very unlikely.

I would not let CC back on the mound tonight, personally. I think Jon is right. If they had just let Freddy pitch after the nine, CC would have been available for Thursday, I bet. And that's a legit possibility, that they'll play Thursday.

I missed all the fireworks, wow!

Robinson now has 80 XBH on the season..and to think some people still debated who the best 2B in the game is.

[75] Jenny Dell......... donuts.

Matt Wieters ties it up.

Wieters just hit one the cheapest homers ever.

Orsillo and Remy taking about food the entire inning.

[75] I like Jenny Dell a lot. Wonder if she owuld jump to YES next year?

[97] I think we'd have to give up a prospect.
[96] They'd like Bronx Banter, huh? Maybe not the hip-hop.

Pedro Beato?

Hmm. CC looked like a man who was done for night, but no one's in the bullpen yet.

Rays have runners in the corners with nobody out...

RI... ya think the boys in the Red Sox booth are into this game?

Nope, CC's back out.

Longoria scores on a sac fly!

I just lost my heart to Ben Francisco.

[102] They haven't been into a whole lot of games this season. Who can blame them? But I'm watching the Rays crew on MLBN right now.

Nice chopper over Mark Reynolds by Sam Folds, and Tampa has 1st and 3rd again, now with one out.

Crud, Ryan Roberts pops out. Still a shot thought with two away, runners in the corners, seventh inning, Rays ahead 2-1.

Two run double for Chris Giminez!!!

4-1 Rays!

CC's back out again.

Brilliant!!!

This game calls for something special for youse all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X11UwM8Etv0

You can thank me later when I get my Kickstarter appeal set up. :)

CC does not need to be out there. Put the AAA guys out there.

Joe Maddon is really, really into the game. That's good to see.

[109] Isn't this why we have Freddy Garcia? Sheesh.

Ichiro!

Now tuck CC in bed.

[110] You want guitar? I'll show you guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xssnp7R51A

Hello everyone. Been at a meeting, purposely away from the score until now. How great is this?

Everyone feeling good?

Put Nova in for CC.

[116] We're a little annoyed that Joe didn't pull CC early, actually. But basically enjoying the pummeling.

Baltimore down to 3 more outs.........

BJ Upton is on third base with one out.

Joe Maddon is our cool cat tonight.

Tomorrow's the day. Lester against Phelps. Could be a tough game.

Miggy just hit another HR. Now leads all three.

[122] Ya think?
You've been watching Jon Lester this year, have you?
I believe (not sure about this) Phelps is the AL ERA leader. Really.

Also, James Shields tomorrow.

Lin is no Lynn.

[118] Big hoss needs to keep in tone and stretched out? I don't think he could pitch the next two days no matter how few pitches he might throw tonight. He has to be set up to start game 1 in the Division series. Andy would start a tie breaking game if needed.

Rays now up 5-1, bottom 8.

[124] Well.... he's tied with Hiroki for 20th places with a 3.34 ERA, which is pretty good.

This Miggy Triple Crown is looking better and better

[115] Yeah! Roy Clark an amazing picker.

Farns warming up in Tampa... The Rays just scored again, 5-1.

By the way, how serious is Manny B's injury?
Might we see him next year?

How many think Andy's coming back next year?

[129] Miggy Triple Corona!

[130] Did you watch his RIGHT hand? It is literally a blur. You need Yes-Mo to really see what he's doing. I've never seen anyone strum faster.

looks like i've missed a fun game!

had to teach...

Nice to see Ciriaco, (Jr. Yankee Killa) quiet tonight.

Kyle Farnsworth is terrible.

[134] I remember my dad (who's a bit of a upsate NY good ol' boy at heart) telling me Roy Clark was a master but I could never get past HeeHaw.

Dang. Those Orioles are pesky.

ChiSox winning, but Detroit is about to eliminate them. Pretty major collapse in Chicago.

[136] Damn, I was really hoping (and expecting) we'd have double-digits before you showed up.

Krazy Kyle tring to fuck us again?

Fuck you Farnsworth

Good news.
F Rodney relieved K Farnsworth.

I'm very disappointed in this game. Not enough RISP fail. No Mix 'n' Match. No weird "I giving him a rest" moves. No AAA line up. What's gotten in to G.I. Joe and the team?

Hmmm ... GGBG to hit for the 1st in months, interesting.

[141] ah, that's ok. i appreciate the effort, though! : )

c'mon tampon!!! close it out.

Well that was a really poor play.

Nice effort there, Gomez. Poor Bobby.

Farns, Farns, he's our man
If he can't do it, Rodney can!
Fernando, Fernando, he's our man
If he can't do it, fuck it.

Uh-O's, now 5-3 Rays with a controversial C-Ring 2 run homer by Davis in that pin ball machine stadium.

What next... Jones now singled and the tying run at the plate with nobody out in the 9th.

Rodney is overthrowing

[145] i guess we can complain that cc stayed in so long...

Frig. Jones singles. One on, no out.

God, the Sox look like... I dunno. It's clownish, though.

Nunez HAS to have American Indian in him.

Wheels coming off in Tampa

Gritner!

[156] I think he's just ugly.

Zobrist botched a potential DP ball, now first and second no outs for the O's.

WTF? Gritner batting???

Tampa in serious trouble.

Melky Mesa!

Come on Rodney, earn some respect

Come on, slide in to first, Gardy! Test that elbow.

One down.

BIIIIIIG Swing!

Dennis Eckersley made a Rodney voodoo doll, doens't want to lose his single season ERA record. But Big Jim Thome just struck out..

(163) Sounds like a Mexican porn star/cowboy

Reynolds will homer or k right?

The MELKSTER ... II!!!!

TOUCH FIRST BASE!
TOUCH FIRST BASE!

Melky's first MLB AB... base hit and RBI! Double digits score...

Base hit & RBI! And double digits!

Slow one at the ankles now

[172] THAT'S WHAT CHAVEZ WAS SAYING!

Sweet.

The Future!

Leche!!!

Two down

One more out in Tampa

2 outs for the O's. Reynolds strikes out.

Endy Chavez

[179] Reynolds swings at a terrible pitch in the dirt for strike 3.

The Nats just clinched. Did someone already say that?

DOUBLE DIGITS!!!

High gas, then another change up

2 strikes in Tampa.

Go ahead, untuck it Rodney!

DOWN GOES BALTIMORE!
DOWN GOES BALTIMORE!
DOWN GOES BALTIMORE!

Tampa wins!

Down go the O's!!!

Nice work rodney

[189] [191] I am so slow!

o's lose!!!

Bouncer back to the pitcher. Orioles lose. They blink first. Just keep pace now.

i'm having fun watching bb tonite...

3 outs to 1st place!!!

[193] Ummm.... I didn't want to say anything.
[194] WTF Dude. Go watch [115]

Man, and I thought that Rodney was going to spit the bit.

Tonight be a good night.

[196] I know, me too. Missed all those games this weekend, but I did get some top-notch Madison beer!

[138] Hee Haw showcased some great talent, dude. I never understood why my Dad (who was a Big Band fan), watched it, but in hindsight I'm glad he did.

A Pickin' 'n' A Grinnin'