Game 141: Rays at Yankees

YANKEES (90-50)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RH
Cano 2B
Gardner CF
Molina C

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (8-5, 4.41).

RAYS (72-67)
Bartlett SS
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Zobrist 2B
Burrell DH
Richard 1B
Gross RF
Navarro C
Upton CF

Pitching: RHP Jeff Niemann (12-5, 3.67).

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES/ESPN.

Lineups from PeteAbe

Joba already at 45 pitches and its only the 2nd inning. He needs to get his head on straight before this month is over. The Yankees didn't help him by screwing with his routine, but he's the one that needs to fix the problem now.

UPDATE 8:55: We're getting close here, folks. Jeter needs one hit to tie the Iron Horse.

UPDATE 9:00: Now that the bat weather vane isn't at the Stadium anymore, we don't get to hear the story about how Don Mattingly's theory about it was what way the handle pointed.

UPDATE 9:22: Well, Jeter didn't waste much time on that one. Congrats to Derek, one more to go and he's alone. If that was the reaction from the fans (and Kay), I can only wonder what it is going to be like when he breaks it.

And that was a Jeterian swing. Kay only said, "Derek Jeter-like swing." I was surprised he didn't pull the Jeterian line, but maybe Sterling did.

Let's see them tie the game now with 2 outs.

UPDATE 9:25: And now he pulls the Jeterian swing line. Maybe he just didn't want the entire country hearing that line when they play the call on SportsCenter.

UPDATE 9:30: Kay actually told an interesting story about the scout quitting over the Astros passing on Jeter. Now, I haven't been watching all weekend, so this may be the millionth time he's told the story, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

UPDATE 9:41: I'm not sure if it can be reviewed or not, but how come there's no camera set up on the foul lines? That would make it pretty obvious on that play if the ball was fair or foul.

UPDATE 9:43: So now the Yanks can tie the game with an out (or two, if the Rays can turn a double play).

And Jeter is now 4 batters away. If one Cano, Gardner, or Cervelli reach safely, the Captain will hit in the 8th inning, or the 9th inning, if the Yankees do not take the lead.

UPDATE 9:46: You think Jeter does a speech or at least grab a mic and say thank you to the fans after the game? I mean, he will be breaking an important record for a franchise that has been around for over 100 years.

And how awesome would it be if he gets a walk-off hit in the 9th to win it, and get a pie in the face?

UPDATE 9:57: Hip, hip Jorge! But Jeter has a chance to make everyone forget it right now. Let's do it.

UPDATE 10:01: "Posada gave the Yankees the lead, but Jeter wants to give the fans a memory." Easily one of Kay's Top 5 cheesiest lines ever.

We'll have to wait another day, at least the Yankees are winning.

UPDATE 10:07: John Healy on Brian Bruney trying to close this game:

"Girardi is trying to get Jeter an extra at-bat."

UPDATE 10:11: For anyone that cares, Matt Damon (no relation to Johnny, I think) is NOT DEAD. Just thought I'd let you know.

UPDATE 10:13: While I have your attention, you can become a Fan of Michael Kay's Successors on Facebook. If you're on Twitter, follow us @KaysSuccessors.