Last Night's Action: Big Trouble In Yankeeland

Cleveland 2 Yankees 1 (11 innings): Baseball has had many weird games and plays in its history, but it is hard to think of a more bizarre scene than Jacobs Field in the eighth inning last night. Swarms of mayflies descended on the stadium, disrupting play and perhaps affecting Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain, called in to protect a 1-0 lead in the seventh was swamped by the insects and suffered an uncharacteristic bout of wildness. Two walks, two wild pitches and a hit batter were part of an inning that saw Cleveland tie the game against Joba.

And, that was devastating for the Yankees because their bats have been extinguished by great pitching by the Indians. Fausto Carmona was amazing, allowing three hits over nine innings and Rafael Perez dominated the Yankees for a second night. When the Yankees used up Joba and Mo it was only a matter of time. Luis Vizcaino walked the leadoff batter and after the bases were loaded, Travis Hafner lined a 3-2 pitch for a single and the game-winner.

So, New York returns home down 0-2 and hitting .121 for the series. They have until Sunday night at 6:30 to find some answers.

Islanders 6 Sabres 4: Mike Comrie had a huge debut for New York scoring two goals and assisting on two others as the Islanders came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to ultimately prevail.

Photograph of Jorge Posada applying bug spray to relief pitcher Mariano Rivera during the 9th inning by Amy Sancetta/AP

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By Peter Trinkle on October 6, 2007 12:31 AM

Comments [rss]

cwbuecheler

What a fantastic game to watch (the Boston/Angels game was also excellent). Lots of tension, lots of weirdness with the bugs, and best of all, the Yankees losing in extra innings after adding more wear and tear to their bullpen!

Also, I completely disagree that the game should've been stopped. Everyone else was dealing with the bugs, including the Indians' pitchers. It's up to Joba to not get riled by them (or up to Joe "I do a fantastic impression of a bored statue ... watch!" Torre to take him out).

guest

Swarms of bugs appearing out of nowhere in Cleveland? They don't call it "the mistake on the lake" for nothing.

TimSPC

Given his season and his contract, April-Rod does indeed take on the burden of more responsibility.

I hope the people at Chicagoist enjoy him.

guest

a-rod receives a shit load more money than most, if not all, the other players, so, of course, correctly or not, the fans will lay more blame in him in the hopes of getting more bang for their/steinbrenner's buck.

guest

The curse that descended upon the Yankees when they bought The Cooler (Pay-Rod) and then had the greatest collapse in the history of beisbol: the ALCS 2004, is alive and well. Only with a curse do swarms of insects descend on the field with Joba on the mound. I'm so glad this curse is no longer with the beloved sox!!!!

guest

Whiny Yankee fans! Flies won't bother you if you are worthy of winning the World Series. Real champions will find a way to play through distractions.

guest

I love it how everyone it making it seem like the Yankees somehow had to deal with the bugs more so than the Indians did.

matthew gannon

Most of the game was bug-free. Look to THREE hits as the blame for the loss.

ed_Extinct

I'm convinced that Boot Strap Bill Belichick sent those gnats to the game.

Peter Trinkle

Famdoc

I reported mayflies because during the game TBS' sideline reporter said he had been told by stadium officials that the infestation was from "canadian soldiers" which is another term for mayflies. It certainly could have been gnats, all I know is it was bizzare.