What a difference an umpire makes

The strike zones in the last two games have been immense compared to Sunday night's tight-ass zone. I have no doubt Phil Hughes would have looked considerably better in a 72 degree dome with a generous strike zone.

Anyway, the Yanks have been able to get by (barely) without Joba. The 8-7 game was very nearly a disaster (and it kind of was for us 'Jobe the starter' people), but Farnsworth and Rivera worked a scoreless 8th and 9th tonight to insure their second straight win.

Andy Pettitte escaped many an early jam: 12 baserunners in just 7 innings in fact, but Tampa only managed 3 runs. The key was preventing extra-base hits, as all nine Tampa hits were singles.