Playoff Preview? Texas Downs Yanks 4-3, in 10 Innings
The Yankees did not actually field a playoff type lineup in yesterday’s 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, because Mark Teixeira was home for the birth of his third child; Robinson Cano was out with a head cold and fever; and, Jorge Posada’s right shoulder was not feeling very well.
But, the Bombers had many chances to win this game, just like the many chances they had to win the final Red Sox game over the weekend, which they lost 2-1.
These two games in Texas could be a preview to a first round playoff series between the Yankees and Rangers in October.
And, with Cliff Lee starting the second game of this August mini-series, it would be a great confidence builder for the Yanks to try to knock Lee out of the game early on, before they fall victim to Mr. Lee again, as happened in their 7-4 loss on June 29th when Lee pitched for the Mariners; and, in their 6-1 loss to Lee in Game One of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies.
The Rangers scored first in this game, on a two-out RBI double by Nelson Cruz in the fourth that drove home Michael Young for the 1-0 lead. Young tagged up from first to second base on a long fly ball to right when the second out was recorded which placed Young in scoring position. This heads-up play helped Young to score on the Cruz double.
The Yanks tied the score 1-1 in the fifth inning when Derek Jeter walked, advanced to second on an over-throw to first on a pick-off attempt by starter C.J. Wilson, and scored on a RBI double by Nick Swisher. Next batter Marcus Thames stroked a hit to leftfield, during which Swisher was thrown out at the plate [for the final out] when he failed to slide into Bengie Molina, and possibly knock the ball from the catcher’s mit.
In the sixth, after Kearns doubled and Berkman walked, Francisco Cervelli delivered a clutch RBI single [off reliever O’Day] that moved the Bombers into a 2-1 lead. But, with one out, and runners on first and second, Brett Gardner struck-out, and Robinson Cano, pitch-hitting for Pena, grounded out to end the rally.
Meanwhile, A.J. Burnett was piching a soild game through the first five innings.
In the botom of the sixth, though, Josh Hamilton led off the inning with a four-pitch walk. And after Burnett retired Guerrero and Cruz, David Murphy blasted a long two-run homer into the rightfield seats to move the Rangers ahead in this game 3-2.
C.J. Wilson lasted 5.1 innings in his start, throwing 96 pitches, allowing two runs, on five hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.
Burnett, in his first start since back problems scratched him from Sunday’s start against the Red Sox, tossed 112 pitches over seven strong innings, while giving up three runs, on six hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
The game was now in the hands of both bullpens.
In the top of the eight, Alex Rodriguez tied the score 3-3 with a long homer to straight away centerfield.
At this point, the Yanks had some chances to take the lead, as Grandrson reached third with one out. But, they could not bring this runner home, as both Gardner and Cervelli failed to plate this go-ahead run.
After nine innings the score remained tied. And, after the Yanks failed to score in the top of the tenth, Joe Girardi called Mariano Rivera into this exciting extra innings playoff-like contest to prevent the Rangers from winning this game.
Well, the bottom of the tenth was a very interesting frame indeed.
The first batter Michael Young beat out a soft infield grounder hit deep in the hole at short.
Next batter Josh Hamilton also hit a grounder that slowly rolled between first and second, just past the diving Cano.
Guerrero then hit a hard liner towards the hole at third. A-Rod made a great diving stop of the ball to his left, and threw Guerrero out. Both runners advanced on the play.
Girardi decided to intentionally walk Nelson Cruz to load the bases with one out.
David Murphy was now up at the plate.
The outfield and infield were pulled in.
Mariano threw the first pitch. Ball one.
Then, ball two.
Next pitch. Ball three.
With nowhere to put this batter, Mariano threw a strike right down the middle of the plate.
(3-1) on Murphy.
Next pitch. Murphy swings, and fouls off the pitch.
The count is now (3-2).
Mariano sets himself on the mound. The pitch.
Murphy hits a line drive to right-centerfield. Base Hit.
The Rangers win, 4-3.
Not exactly a playoff-type finish by Mariano Rivera or the New York Yankees.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 