Yankees get opportunity to eyeball relievers in loss to Devil Rays
By PETER ABRAHAM
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: September 26, 2007)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Yankees missed a chance to clinch a postseason
berth and quite likely any shot they had of catching the Red Sox in the
American League East last night.
But losing 7-6 in 10 innings against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays did come with
some benefits. As the Yankees prepare to build their roster for the division
series, they are learning which relief pitchers they can trust and which
should watch the games on television.
Jeff Karstens lost the game when Dioner Navarro belted his third pitch for a
walk-off home run in the 10th inning. But the game was given away in the
sixth inning when Edwar Ramirez and Brian Bruney walked four batters with the
Yankees up by five runs.
Ramirez gave up an RBI double to Navarro and Bruney a grand slam by Jorge
Velandia, a journeyman infielder who had never before hit a home run.
"It's a helpless feeling," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "You don't give
yourself a chance to get guys out. That's when you know you're in the charity
business."
The Yankees outhit the Rays 12-5 but left nine runners on base, five in
scoring position. Tampa Bay drew 11 walks.
Ramirez and Bruney are among the relievers the Yankees are considering for
their postseason staff. But Ramirez has allowed eight runs on seven hits and
four walks in his last 2 2/3 innings. Bruney has given up 10 runs on eight
hits and seven walks in his last 6 2/3 innings.
As they falter, the Yankees will have to give serious consideration to rookie
Ross Ohlendorf, veteran left-hander Ron Villone and perhaps right-hander
Chris Britton.
"We have to try and get (Ramirez) straightened out," Torre said. "It's all
about aggressiveness. It looked like he was feeling his way. He's on his
heels a little bit."
Bruney, who earlier this season mocked the idea that he needed to throw more
strikes, grew testy when a television reporter asked how disappointed he was.
"Nobody wants to go out and give up a grand slam," he said.
Losers of two straight and three of their last five, the Yankees almost
certainly will not win the American League East. The Red Sox beat the Oakland
Athletics 7-3 to move three games ahead of the Yankees with only five games
left to play.
The Detroit Tigers kept the wild-card race going for at least another day by
beating the Minnesota Twins 8-0. They trail the Yankees by 4 1/2 games.
The Yankees, who need one victory to clinch a postseason berth, will send ace
Chien-Ming Wang against J.P. Howell tonight.
"Everybody wants to move on to the next season but we still have work to do,"
Torre said.
The day did not start auspiciously when Roger Clemens was scratched from his
start and replaced by Kei Igawa. The left-hander had not started a game for
the Yankees since July 26.
Igawa walked five and threw 87 pitches in five innings but did not allow a
run. Tampa Bay had only two hits against him.
"I knew this would be my last outing and I had fun," Igawa said.
The Yankees gave Igawa plenty of run support. Johnny Damon (5 for 5) singled,
stole second and scored on a double by Derek Jeter in the first inning.
Damon and Jeter had singles before Bobby Abreu walked to load the bases with
no outs in the third. Alex Rodriguez then crushed an 0-1 pitch off one of the
catwalks above left field.
It was his 53rd home run (and third grand slam) of the season. Rodriguez has
151 RBI, the most for any Yankee since Joe DiMaggio had 155 in 1948.
Rodriguez had gone 55 at-bats since his last home run.
"That should have been enough," Torre said.
After the bullpen blowup, the Yankees tied the score in the eighth on a
sacrifice fly by Melky Cabrera. But Jeter struck out looking with two runners
on.
"I can never remember (clinching) being easy," he said.
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