There was a game played today

Aside from the brawl, which I detailed quite nicely, the Yankees did play a game today. They ended up losing 7-6 to the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon.

The Yankees took at 6-4 lead in the eighth inning after Brett Gardner hit a two-run single.

The Rays took a 7-6 lead in the bottom half of the inning, scoring all three runs off of Jonathan Albaladejo. All three runs were earned, and he also gave up three hits and walked a batter. This probably ruined any chance of him making the Opening Day roster.

The Yankees pitching was somewhat disorganized, as Andy Pettitte was a morning scratch with tendinitis in his throwing arm. Heath Phillips started but was ejected in the first inning for hitting Evan Longoria. He gave up two runs in 2-3 of an inning.

Scott Patterson (1 1-3 IP, 1 H, 2 K), LaTroy Hawkins (2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K), Ross Ohlendorf (1 IP, 0 H, 1 K) and Sean Henn (1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K) followed, holding the Rays scoreless.

The Rays scored five runs in the final two innings off of Dan Giese and Albaladejo.

At the plate, Jorge Posada went 1-3 with a three-run double and Robinson Cano went 2-3. Gardner also stole two bases, second and third, in the same inning.

The Yankees return to Tampa tomorrow afternoon to face the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:15 p.m. Mike Mussina will face Pat Maholm. Billy Crystal will also make his much-anticipated appearance in the field. The game will be televised on YES.

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Before the game, spring training instructor Stump Merrill was hit in the mouth by a ball and was taken to the hospital, leaving the field on a stretcher.