Three outs. Three outs, until the Rangers can leave the Mariners and the Nationals/Expos as the only franchises without a trip to the World Series.
Colby Lewis came out and looked as good as ever in the top of the eighth. Jorge Posada struck out on three pitches, whiffing at a high fastball. Up next was Marcus Thames, and he struck out on three pitches as well, whiffing at a two-strike slider.
Brett Gardner stood in and drew a walk, trying desperately to get something, anything brewing for the Yankees. But he wound up stranded at first base, as Derek Jeter completed the third three-pitch strikeout of the inning. Lewis got him to offer and swing through a high, outside slider to finish it off.
Lewis has struck out seven through eight effective innings, and it's 6-1 Rangers into the bottom of the eighth. Mariano Rivera will relieve Kerry Wood.