TICK, TICK, TICK

Time is not an ally of the New York Yankees. Tim McCarver uttered those words during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, moments before Aaron Boone hit his famous walk-off home run against Tim Wakefield and the Boston Red Sox. History is repeating itself here this September. After starting the season playing some exceptional baseball, the Yankees have frittered away a 10-game lead.  Time is running out on the Yankees to stage a turnaround, and tonight was a critical game - one they needed to win badly. They needed Freddy Garcia to shut down the Rays and for the Yankee bats to come alive tonight.

Unfortunately, Freddy Garcia was not at his best again tonight. For the third consecutive time, he failed to record a quality start. He got himself into trouble in the first by giving up a hit to Desmond Jennings to lead off the game, and followed it with a stolen base and an RBI double to BJ Upton. 

That brought the Rays to within one. The brightest part his night followed, as he settled down and retired eight of the next 10 batters. Then it turned into a home run derby. After walking Ben Zobrist in the third, he gave up a go-ahead 2-run home run to Evan Longoria. After a good 4th inning, he gave up back-to-back home runs to Desmond Jennings and BJ Upton - the first two batters he faced. He lasted long enough to record the first out in the sixth, but in the end, he gave up 5 runs on 3 home runs in 5 and a third innings and cost the Yankees the game.

The Yankees were able to get to rookie starter Alex Cobb early in the game. The Yankees reached scoring position in each of the first three innings he pitched. After a 2-out walk to the slumping Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano sent a 2-1 fastball into the left-center field seats, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead. They were the only runs the Yankees would score tonight. After the third inning, the Yankees only recorded four base runners.

The Yankees frustration showed tonight, as Joe Girardi was tossed for arguing about Chris Dickerson calling for time. It was nice to see some emotion from this team, but getting runs and keeping the Rays from scoring would have been better.

On a positive note, Joba Chamberlain looked good tonight. He retired all three batters he faced, striking out the last two. Joba has been absolutely abysmal this season. One wonders whether or not he really has recovered from his recent injuries. But if he can put it together for a good September run, he could prove to be very valuable in the bullpen.

So, tomorrow it is Hiroki Kuroda's turn to stop the bleeding as he faces off against Matt Moore. Time is running out for a Yankees turnaround. The majority of the next week and a half's games are against the Orioles and the Rays. I cheer for this team for all 9 innings of all 162 games, but now is the time that we will find out whether or not this team really has what it takes to win it all.

Final Score: Rays 5, Yankees 2

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon

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