To Boo and Back; Yankees beat Rays 9-5

It was an eventful Opening Day for the Bombers yesterday. Corey Lidle's widow and son threw out the first pitch. Bob Sheppard began his 57th season as the Yankees PA announcer. And my main man Bobby Murcer, looking like Kojak, visited the broadcast booth and was honored on the scoreboard, and by the fans and teams. To top it off the Yankees lead early, fell behind, and then won going away, 9-5.



Who loves ya baby?





The game was as up and down as yesterday's weather. Carl Pavano allowed just one unearned run through the first 4 innings, but the Rays rocked him in the 5th, scoring 4 times to take a 5-3 lead. The Yankees pen came through right away with 4 2-3 scoreless innings. Brian Bruney allowed an inherited runner to score, but he, Sean Henn, Luis Vizcaino (win), Kyle Farnsworth, and Mariano Rivera shut the Rays down.

A-Rod went to hell and back all in one day. After over running a foul pop (that Jorge Posada probably should have had) and striking out in the first, A-Rod heard the first boo birds of the season. But the fans gave Alex a curtain call in the 8th, when his long 2-run HR put the game out of reach.

Jason Giambi also showed a good early stroke with a pair of singles that drove in 3 runs. Derek Jeter's 2-run single in the 6th tied the game at 5. Jorge Posada also hit his 1st HR, hitting a Scott Kazmir pitch into the right field seats.




Derek Jeter delivers a 2-run single to tie the game




The Yankees defense was worrisome as they committed 3 errors and the Rays ran at will on the Yankees outfield arms.

Johnny Damon had to leave the game with calf cramps, but is expected to play on Wednesday afternoon.