Ray Vs. A-Rod

Last year, Chris Ray came into New York last year and stole one on a questionable call. One out away from their second win, bases loaded, against Alex Rodriguez. Last year Ray made A-Rod look silly.

Today, not so much.

A-Rod came up with a huge grand slam to power the Yankees to a 10-7 soul-crushing win.

The 8th and 9th innings undid the Orioles today. Baez came in the 8th and got one quick out, then back-to-back walks set up Jason Giambi for a monster 3-run blast into the right field seats. That inning was maddening for many reasons, highest on the list was Baez wasn't missing by much, but he wasn't getting the calls on the two walks - the one to Abreu especially.

That set up the 9th. Ray comes in and got two quick outs. Then a single to Robinson Cano, up comes Derek Jeter. Jeter worked a 1-1 count. Then a pitch came inside and he offered and the pitch clipped his finger. He started to trot off to first, BUT the first base ump said, "Not so fast. You swung. Strike two." The Orioles got a break. Jeter works the count 3-2 count. The pitch comes in, letter high. Ball four.

Personally I lost it, my hat flew across the room and the birds outside my window scattered with the string of obscenities that flowed from my mouth.

Bobby Abreu up, second pitch, hits him. Crap.

And then A-Rod.

Ray takes his first loss and blown save of the year, The Orioles fall to 1-4 on the season. The Orioles were up 7-3 going into the 8th inning. Steve Trachsel started today and looked great. He only had one bad inning, the fourth. At one point he retired 6 Yankees in a row and only allowed 4 hits, 2 of them to A-Rod.

A-Rod. That clutch hit he hit today, be prepared to see it everywhere. It will be on Sportscenter, it will be on PTI, it will be on Around The Horn, it will be dissected by Baseball Tonight. It will be EVERYWHERE for the next week. Unless of course he goes 0'fer tomorrow and leaves 8 men in scoring position.

One can hope. Who needs a drink?

A golden oldie from last year. Sums up all our feelings.