Damon Slams Door On Devil Rays, 10-5 (5/5)

Grand Slam Overcomes Poor Outing By Unit

The much talked about Yankee lineup has not come through as often as they would like this year. The team has failed in the clutch a number of times, especially in low scoring, close games. Last night Yankees starter Randy Johnson (5-2) struggled for the third time in four starts, but this the Yankees offense picked him up.

The Yankees had taken a 4-3 in the top of the fifth, but the Devil Rays took the lead right back in their half of the inning on Ty Wigginton's 2-run home run. It would stay that way until two out in the 7th when Gary Sheffield, pinch-hitting for Bubba Crosby, singled to center. Rays manager Joe Maddon replaced reliever Brian Meadows with Chad Orvella (1-2) to face the top of the Yankees batting order. Johnny Damon singled to chase Sheffield to third and Derek Jeter followed with a walk to load the bases. Orville nearly had Jason Giambi on a called third strike, but home plate umpire Doug Eddings called the pitch a ball. Orvella's next pitch was well out of the strike zone to walk Giambi and force home Sheffield with the tying run. Shawn Camp replaced Orville and hit Alex Rodriguez with his first pitch to force in the go ahead run.

The Yankees finally busted things open in the 8th. Jorge Posada drew a lead off walk, which got Maddon calling on Dan Miceli to face Robinson Cano. Miceli couldn't handle Cano's tapper for an error and the stage was set for another rally. After Bernie Williams sacrificed the runners over, Maddon decided to intentionally walk Gary Sheffield to set up a force at any base. Damon made the Rays pay when he blasted a Miceli pitch deep into the right field seats for a 10-5 lead. The slam was the 5th of Damon's career.

The Rays had one final threat in the bottom of the 8th when they loaded the bases against Scott Proctor and Mike Myers. Myers got Tomas Perez to hit a high chopper to Rodriguez who beat Travis Lee to the bag at third for an inning ending force out.

The Devil Rays took the first lead of the ball game when Johnny Gomes doubled in Joey Gathright in the first. Hideki Matsui continued to bust out of his slump by roping a solo home run off of starter Doug Waechter in the right field seats.

The Rays scored two more off Johnson in the third on RBI singles by Carl Crawford and Wiggington to take a 3-1 lead. Doug Waecther wasn't any better than Johnson though and gave up an RBI double to Cano and RBI single to Williams in the fifth to take the lead. Wigginton's home run quickly wiped that lead out.

Johnson struggled with his command throughout the evening. His fastball topped out at 92-93 mph, but for the most part was 89-91. His slider was flat and he threw many sore splitters than usual. It all amounted to 92 pitches in 6 2-3 innings. Johnson was charged with 5 earned runs, 7 hits, 2 walks, 4 strike outs, and a hit batsman. He raised his record to 5-2 despite having his ERA balloon to 5.02.

Johnson has been nothing less than horrendous in 3 of his past 4 starts. That one start, vs. Baltimore, Johnson looked like "The Unit", the scowling hard throwing lefty. He allowed just a run on three hits in eight innings in that game on April 23. In his three other starts though, he has been torched for 18 runs in just 15 innings. That's a 10.80 ERA. He allowed 22 hits and walked 8, while allowing 4 home runs. Thanks to the Yankees hitters, he actually won 2 of the 3 games. Johnson's next start will be next week against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Notes

Hideki Matsui's adjustments to his hands continued to pay off last night as he had 3 hits, raising his average to .272. On the other hand, Alex Rodriguez continues to scuffle. He took the collar in 4 trips, dropping him to .250.

The Yankees top rated prospect,Phillip Hughes, made his Double-A debut for the Trenton Thunder last night. Hughes was less than stellar as he allowed 4 runs is 6 innings pitched, and took the loss.

Ramiro Mendoza made his season debut at Columbus after pitching in extended Spring Training. He struck out three in 2 1-3 scoreless innings. Hopefully he, or anyone else, can replace Tanyon Sturtze who is number #1 on my shit list.