Tagged: Bronx Bombers
It’s Early. But, Hey, These Games Still Count
Mark Teixeira blasted a three-run homer, his third three-run homer of the season, and fourth overall homerun, in the first inning of game two of a four game series against the Minnesota Twins at the Stadium that gave the Yanks an early 3-0 lead in this game.
Then, in the second inning, Andruw Jones, making his first start of the season, hit a solo shot that increased the Bombers lead to 4-0.
On the mound, CC Sabathia was strolling along at a very steady and solid pace, allowing no runs, and just two hits and one walk over seven strong innings of work, retiring the final 17 batters he faced.
So after seven innings it looked very good for the Yankees as a victory was clearly in sight, which would move their record to (4-1) after the first five games of the 2011 season. But as is the case in just about 95% of all baseball games throughout the Major Leagues these days, the dreaded “100 pitch-count” would come into play once again when Sabathia threw his 104th pitch that recorded the final out of the top of the seventh.
I made a pledge to myself at the start of this year that I would “try” to “not” talk about, or write about, the pitch-count this baseball season. But as the eight inning started to unravel for the Yanks with Rafael Soriano on the mound, I quickly called my friend on the phone and started to vent with rage about what was happening before our eyes.
Manager Joe Girardi decided his “ace” CC Sabathia was finished for the night because he had thrown 104 pitches. It did not matter that CC had retired 17 Twins in a row, allowed no runs on only two hits and a walk, or that the bullpen could have used a night off, especially since Freddy Garcia is scheduled to pitch the next game and surely will last only about five innings when the bullpen “will” be needed. CC is the Yankees “ace”. And if any starter in the rotation is going to stay on the mound into the eight and even the ninth inning, it is Sabathia who could very easily pitch 120-125 pitches every start. The “pitch-count” should not apply to CC, period !
Now, my opinion is not based on any second-guessing after the fact. When Girardi made the move, as I and most Yankee fans knew he would ’cause this is Girardi’s basic philosophy in regards to the starting pitchers, it annoyed me very much, as it always does when he takes out a starter who is pitching a great game, especially a shutout, and especially when CC Sabathia is on the mound.
As it turned out, Soriano was very ineffective during his time on the mound in the eight, allowing two walks and a hit to load the bases with two outs, before issuing his third walk of the inning that forced home a run to make the score 4-1.
Girardi then brought David Robertson into the game, who allowed a bloop double to right field by Delmon Young that cleared the bases to tie the score 4-4.
Still on the phone with my friend, I also second-guessed the Robertson move by Girardi. At this point I would have brought Mariano Rivera into the game to get a four-out save. But the damage was already done. Robertson did get the final out in the top of the eight inning. And Mariano pitched a scoreless ninth to take the game into extra innings tied at 4-4.
As the game entered the top of the tenth, with Joba Chamberlain not available to pitch on this night, Girardi called Boone Logan in from the bullpen. Logan started the inning by walking Span; then gave up a single to Nishioka and RBI single to Mauer that moved the Twins into a 5-4 lead.
Joe Nathan closed out the victory for the Twins by pitching a scoreless bottom of the tenth, recording his second save of the season. And that was the ballgame.
Reflecting on Rafael Soriano’s poor performance after he left the game, I was willing to give him a pass at the time, and still do give him a pass, because in my view Girardi should have let CC Sabathia pitch the eight inning.
But I do not give Soriano a pass for leaving the clubhouse after the game was over without talking to the media. That kind of action by Soriano will not be received very well by the media or the fans. And if Mr. Soriano continues to think he can just not answer questions after tough performances or losses, it will be a very uncomfortable time in the Bronx for the former Tampa Bay Rays closer.
Also, I do not give Joe Girardi a pass for this loss. A manager cannot always manage strictly by the book. And especially with CC on the mound, it’s time to throw away the “pitch-count”, and just let our “ace” pitch as long as he can in every start.
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Rise Up From The Dead; Cut Texas’ Lead To 3-2
The Yankees cut the Texas Rangers lead in the ALCS to three games to two, with a 7-2 win in Game Five at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The series now heads back to Texas for Game Six, and, hopefully, Game Seven.
CC Sabathia did not have his best stuff in this “must-win” game, but pitched well enough to earn the victory. CC tossed 112 pitches over six “battling” innings on the mound, allowing only two runs, on 11 hits, seven strikeouts, and “zero” walks.
The key to victory for the Bronx Bombers, though, was taking an early lead, scoring three runs in the second inning. And increasing that lead to 5-0 in the third on back-to-back homers by Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano (his fourth of this series). Curtis Granderson also hit a solo homerun in the eight inning to cap the score at 7-2.
Sabathia gave all the effort an “ace” could give through six innings. Then it was time for the bullpen to take over. Kerry Wood delivered two scoreless innings of relief in the seventh and eight, building a solid “Bridge to Mariano Rivera”. The “Great Mariano” then entered the game, and closed out this victory by pitching a scoreless ninth to keep the Yankees alive in this series.
So, everything looks a little brigher for the Yankees and all in the Yankees Universe today, as the Bronx Bombers get ready to play Game Six tomorrow night (Oct. 22) in Texas.
And the 2010 ALCS continues …
“Go Yankees” !!!
— Jimmy “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Not Wild About Yanks Wild Card Finish …
But …
The Yankees did hold on to make the Playoffs, even though they finished the season with a (9-17) record over the final 26 games.
This weak finish resulted in the New York Yankees (95-67) not winning the AL East, the toughest division in all of Baseball, which placed the Bronx Bombers in second place behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays (96-66), who also did not play very well down the stretch. Thus, the Yankees entered the 2010 post season via the “wild card” route.
Overall, though, it was a great season for the Yankees. And with all the talk about who the Yanks MVP was this season, in my view, that honor belongs to CC Sabathia (21-7) with a 3.13 ERA. This opinion also extends to CC being honored with the American League MVP Award, as well as the AL Cy Young Award.
Without Sabathia’s great pitching performances throughout the 2010 season, the Yankees would not be playing in the post-season this year. CC was “Money” all year long. Especially considering A.J. Burnett’s (10-15) lost season on the mound; Andy Pettitte’s injury at mid-season; And Phil Hughes not pitching as well in the second half of the season as he did in the first half. The rest of the starting rotation was okay at best, while CC was the Yanks “Ace”, “MVP”, and should be awarded the AL “Cy Young Award”, and AL “MVP” Award.
My opinion about CC being the Yanks MVP takes nothing away from the Yankees great lineup which was “awesome” this season. It’s just, I think, without CC Sabathia pitching as well as he did this year, the New York Yankees would not be playing ball this October. CC was the main key to victory for the Yanks in 2010. He was the one Yankee, at least in this season, and in my opinion, that was “indispensable”, even more so than the “Great Mariano” Rivera.
Anyway, its great that September finally ended. There were way too many “mixed messages” being sent out by the Yankees braintrust about wanting to win the AL East. But if the Yankees finished second, that seemed to be okay with Manager Joe Girardi and General Manager Brian Cashman, as the Yanks would enter the playoffs as the wild card team. And so, that ended up being the result. A second place finish by the Bombers. A wild card berth into October baseball.
Of course, the ultimate goal for the Yankees every year is to win the World Series. Anything less would be a failure. So seeing the Yankees playing important games in October once again puts their second place finish this season into a distant memory.
Another “Fall Classic” is clearly in sight for the Yankees. And when the sun sets on this Baseball Season, all Yankee fans hope the #27 will fade into the horizon of the great Yankees history and tradition, with a new number, #28, raising up to take its place center stage in the Yankees Universe, “shining” for all to see, and glowing proudly …
“New York Yankees, 2010 World Champions” !!!
Enjoy the “Playoffs”, everybody …
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Eight Wins In-A-Row For Bronx Bombers
The Yankees (86-50) continued on their path to another first place finish in the AL East by taking the first two games of their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-3 and 7-5, in the Bronx, increasing their winning streak to eight games, and upping their lead to 2.5 games over the second place Rays (83-52). The third place Red Sox (76-60) lost a day-night double-header by an identical 3-1 score in both games to fall 10 games out of first, and 8 games behind the Rays in the wild card race.
The Bronx Bombers are on a late-season roll.
In the first game of this series, the Yanks were led to victory by another fine performance by Curtis Granderson, (2-for-3), with two walks, one run, and three RBI’s. Granderson continues his hot hitting ways since working on his swing with hitting coach Kevin Long. A great game by Brett Gardner, (1-for-3), with two walks, three runs, and one RBI, also contributed to the 7-3 win.
The Yankees bullpen also delivered a solid effort after starter Ivan Nova was replaced on the mound after throwing only four and two-thirds innings. Kerry Wood (W,3-4) was awarded the win by the official scorer for pitching the best of the Yankee relievers [in the opinion of the scorer]. The win could have easily been awarded to Mariano Rivera who closed out the victory by tossing a six-pitch scoreless ninth.
Berkman was (2-for-4); Pena was (2-for-4), with one RBI; and the rookie Nunez, who played short for Derek Jeter [who had a day off], raised his batting average to .308 with a (2-for-4), one run, day.
Derek Jeter was the major topic of discussion in the sports sections of the New York newspapers, and on Sports Talk radio, this past week. More on Jeter in another post.
In Game Two of this series, Manager Joe Girardi provided more controversy when he replaced starter Javier Vazquez in the fifth inning, with two outs, and runners on first and third, with the Yankees in the lead 5-3.
Over-managing by Girardi? Maybe, as this was the third time over the last couple of weeks that the Yankee manager has replaced his starting pitcher with only four and two-thirds innings of work on the mound. Nova in the first game of this series, and Dustin Moseley in his last start, were the other two starters to fall victim to Girardi’s quick hook.
Ironically, Moseley, who was called into this game to replace Vazquez, was taken out of the rotation and sent to the bullpen after his last start. And Vazquez, after two good bullpen appearances, was placed back into the rotation in Moseley’s spot to make this start against the Blue Jays. Sounds very confusing and over-calculating by the Yankees braintrust, doesn’t it?
At any rate Moseley replaced Vazquez in this game. And just as quick as one of Girardi’s hooks of late, he allowed a two-run double to Lyle Overbay that tied the score 5-5.
Vazquez could have been just as ineffective, or maybe he could have gotten out of the jam. At least he should have been given the opportunity to get the final out, and complete five innings that would have given him a possible chance to earn the win as the starting pitcher. Probably Vazquez should have just remained in the bullpen at this time since he has been effective in that role in his previous two appearances.
Well, the game remained tied until the seventh inning when Marcus Thames blasted a two-out, two-run homer (#11), that drove home Robinson Cano who kept the inning going with a two-out single, moving the Bombers into a 7-5 lead.
Thames has been just as hot at the plate as Granderson in recent weeks, hitting .314 with seven home runs and 13 RBI’s over his last ten games in the lineup.
Other than Moseley the bullpen was very solid the rest of the way in this game, as Logan, Chamberlain (W,2-4), Wood, and Rivera all pitched a scoreless inning each from the sixth inning on.
The Great Mariano closed out this 7-5 victory by recording his 29th save.
Anyway, when all was said and done, the Yankees ended up winning their eight straight game to stay atop the AL East by 2.5 games.
Even with the best record in baseball there is always room for some controversy.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Straight A’s For CC; Yanks 5-0 Win Sweeps A’s
CC Sabathia was brilliant today, on a hot, humid, afternoon in the Bronx, allowing the A’s only one hit over eight shutout innings, leading the Yankees to a 5-0 victory that completed a four-game sweep against the visiting Oakland team.
Sabathia improved his record to (19-5), and, also, improved his chances of winning this year’s American League Cy Young Award, as he increased the gap ahead of the other contending pitchers including 16-game winner David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays.
CC is now (11-0) in games he started this year at Yankee Stadium. And (16-0) with a 2.05 ERA in his last 21 starts in the Bronx, going all the way back to the All-Star break in 2009.
The Yankees once again lived up to their great tradition as the Bronx Bombers, blasting three home runs in their sixth straight win. The Yanks defeated the Chicago White Sox 12-9 and 2-1, in the final two games of that three-game series. And swept the A’s by the scores of: 11-5; 9-3; 4-3; and 5-0.
Jorge Posada hit a solo homer (#17) in the second inning to give the Yanks an early 1-0 lead.
Then, Curtis Granderson, who was not in the original lineup but replaced Nick Swisher who injured his knee in the first inning, continued his late-season power surge by hitting a solo homer (#16) in the sixth, and a two-run homerun (#17) in the seventh inning, that increased the Yanks lead to 4-0.
The Yanks scored their final run in the eight on a RBI single by Austin Kearns that drove home Lance Berkman, capping the score at 5-0 in favor of the Bombers.
Dallas Braden (L,9-10), was the A’s starter, and also had a solid outing on this hot day. But with no outs in the sixth inning he had to leave the game because of cramps he experienced on the mound [due to the heat] after throwing his final pitch.
The only hit by the A’s in this game, was a “clean hit” stroked by Mark Ellis in the second inning.
Sabathia ended up tossing 95 pitches throughout his eight strong innings on the mound, walking three, and striking out five, along with the one hit he allowed. Another solid “Money” performance by CC.
Albaladejo pitched a scoreless ninth to close-out the Yanks 5-0 shutout, which was caught by Posada.
The Yankees (84-50) increased their lead in the AL East to 1.5 games over the second place Tampa Bay Rays (82-51); and 8 games ahead of the third place Boston Red Sox (75-58), who in my view, are still very much in this race, as there still are many important games yet to be played between these three rivals before this regular season ends.
So, as September begins, the pennant race in the AL East continues.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Bombers Back On Track; CC Tames Tigers 6-2
Thirteen times this season the Yankees faced a starting pitcher they had never seen before, including Max Scherzer (8-9) of the Tigers and Bryan Bullington (1-2) of the Royals, both of whom earned victories against the Yanks in their last two back-to-back losses. In these games against unknown starters the Yanks have a record of (4-9). Interesting numbers with really no explanation as to [why?] this continues to happen.
So in last night’s second game of four against the Detroit Tigers at the Stadium in the Bronx, which featured a battle of both teams aces, Justin Verlander (13-7) vs. CC Sabathia (15-5), one would think with the way the Yanks have been playing of late, they would be greatly challenged to score many runs against Verlander. CC would have to be money [again] for the Yanks to win this game.
This is not to say the Yankees would rather face some rookie pitcher instead of Verlander, or Verlander instead of a rookie starter. They have no control over who pitches against them on the mound. This only talks to the point that the Yankees have not been playing very well lately and really needed a win [a must-win in fact] as they entered this game against the Tigers tied for first place in the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Well, the first inning provided much drama as Austin Jackson led off the game by hitting Sabathia’s first pitch into the left-field seats for a quick 1-0 Detroit lead. This was the former Yankee’s second homer of the year.
Not to be left out of this discussion, Curtis Granderson, whom the Yankees received in the trade for Jackson, made two outstanding catches in centerfield in the first. The first catch was made after a long run to just in front of the wall of the right-centerfield bleachers; and the second catch was a great diving play running towards left-center.
In the bottom of the first the Yanks battled right back. Brett Gardner led off with a single, and advanced to second on a walk to Derek Jeter. After Teixeira made the first out, Cano walked to load the bases. Then, Nick Swisher, back in the lineup after sitting out the last game with a right forearm injury, stroked a two-run single to move the Yanks into a 2-1 lead.
Granderson delivered again in the second inning by blasting a solo home run (#12), into the rightfield bleachers. This upped the Bombers lead to 3-1.
Justin Verlander (L,13-8), threw a lot of pitches in the early innings, and was finished at the end of the fifth. He tossed 114 pitches while allowing three runs, on five hits, five walks, and five strikeouts.
The Yankees did exactly what Joe Girardi talked about before the game. They got to Verlander, who had a 7.12 ERA in the first inning of his starts this season, early on in this game. Girardi said, “They [the lineup] did a great job. When Justin gets on a roll, he’s really difficult. We put some runs on the board early and made them stand up.”
Schlereth replaced Verlander. And in the sixth, the Yanks scored again on a two-out double by Gardner (2-for-3, with a walk, and run), which was followed by a RBI single by Jeter to give the Yanks a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Brandon Inge hit a homer (#8), to cut the score to 4-2.
Then in the bottom of the seventh, Robinson Cano also homered (#22); and, Pena drove home a run on a sac-fly to right to increase the Yankees lead to 6-2.
CC Sabahia (W,16-5), the first 16-game winner in the American League, struggled in the first few innings, but settled down nicely to pitch seven soild innings, throwing 115 pitches, while allowing two runs, on five hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts.
Money !!!
David Robertson pitched a scoreless eight. And Mariano Rivera closed out this 6-2 victory by pitching a scoreless ninth.
A must-win game, “Won” by the New York Yankees !!!
* Historic Note: In the fifth inning, Jorge Posada stroked a single to center, his 1,558th career hit, which tied Posada with Thurman Munson on the all-time hit list.
* Injury Report: – Alex Rodriguez (strain of left calf), listed as day-to-day.
– Lance Berkman (sprained right ankle), listed as day-to-day.
– Andy Pettitte (left groin strain), injured July 18th …
(Probably will not be back until the middle of September)
* And, Yogi Berra was back at Yankee Stadium for the first time since he suffered an injury as a result of a fall at his home. Yogi was not able to attend this year’s Yankees Old Timers’ Day celebrations on July 17th. Also, he could not attend the Hall of Fame inductee events about a week after Old Timers’ Day. Welcome back Yogi.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Bats Still Quiet … Lose 3-1 To Tigers
The last time the Yankees were shutout in back-to-back games was on May 12-13, 1999 against the Angels. Until the ninth inning of last night’s game against the Detroit Tigers at the Stadium, it looked like this rare event would happen again, as the Tigers held a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The Yanks did finally score a run, though; but, lost the game 3-1.
This loss coupled with the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 victory over Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers, dropped the Yankees into a first place tie with the Rays in the AL East, both with a record of (72-46). The Boston Red Sox (67-52) did not have a game scheduled yesteday. So they picked up a half game on the Yanks and are now 5.5 games behind in third place.
The Tigers took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run homer (#7) by Ryan Raburn off Yankees starter Javier Vazquez.
Vazquez (L,9-9), lasted only four innings in this contest, throwing a way too high total of 106 pitches, while allowing two runs, on five hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Yankees were having trouble with [yet] another pitcher they were facing for the first time, Tigers starter Max Scherzer. The Yanks lost 1-0 to the Royals Bryan Bullington, in his first start against the Bombers on Sunday. And this game against the Tigers was trending in the same direction – another shutout loss.
Scherzer (W,8-9), delivered a soild six innings on the mound, throwing 115 pitches, while giving up no runs, on only two hits, two base-on-balls, and six strikeouts.
After Scherzer’s night was over after six innings, the Yankees did have some chances to score against the Tigers bullpen. But they left two runners on base in the seventh, and two runners on in the eight.
In the top of the eight, however, Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run (#28) off Joba Chamberlain, to give the Tigers an insurance run that upped their lead to 3-0.
The game then entered the bottom of the ninth with closer Jose Valverde on the mound. And he did his best to help the Yankees end their scoring drought by basically self-imploding on the mound.
Robinson Cano walked, and was forced at second on a grounder by Joge Posada. Then, Curtis Granderson (3-for-3, with a walk), hit a hard line-drive single to right, which was followed by a walk to Francisco Cervelli that loaded the bases. Brett Gardner was up next, and was issued another walk by Valverde that forced home a run to break the shutout and cut the Tigers lead to 3-1.
Now, with one out, and the bases loaded, Derek Jeter was up at the plate. Jeter battled in a long at-bat, but on a 3-2 pitch grounded into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. Gardner slid hard into Carlos Guillen trying to breakup the DP. But Guillen stayed his ground to make the play, throwing to first to seal the Tigers 3-1 victory.
The Yankees not only lost this game; they also lost Alex Rodriguez to a left calf injury; and Nick Swisher to a right forearm injury during the game. And with Lance Berkman also out with a strained foot injury from the Royals series, the Yankees are very short in the lineup and on the bench for the next few games as all injured players are listed as day-to-day.
A nice touch occurred in the first inning of this game when Johnny Damon batted for the first time. The Yankee Stadium crowd gave him a very warm round of applause, as this was Damon’s first time back to the Bronx since his free-agent signing with the Tigers.
Game Two of this series on Tuesday, August 17th, features a match-up of “aces” …
Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.72) vs. CC Sabathia (15-5, 3.14).
In my view, this is a “must-win” game for the New York Yankees !!!
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Power Surge By Yanks In KC; Blast 5 HRs; 3 By A-Rod
After the major rain storm and lightning display in the Kansas City sky during Game Two of this four-game series at Kauffman Stadium, the Bronx Bombers provided their own air show in Game Three, an arsenal of pyrotechnics of the baseball kind, by sending into orbit five home runs, including three by Alex Rodriguez, in route to an 8-3 victory over the Royals.
The Yankees power display began in the top of the sixth off Royals starter Sean O’Sullivan with the score tied 1-1.
A-Rod led off the inning by hitting a long homerun (#19) into the left-centerfield seats. Then after Cano hit a hard liner to left for the first out, Jorge Posada blasted a high and deep 421ft homer (#13) over the centerfield wall. Curtis Granderson followed by going back-to-back with Posada, belting another hard-hit long homer (#11) into the upper rightfield seats to increase the Bombers lead to 4-1, and knock O’Sullivan (L,1-4), out of the game.
The Royals scored two runs, including a lead-off home run by Wilson Betemit (3-for-5), in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 4-3 off starter Phil Hughes (W,14-5). This would be Hughes’ last inning in this game, as he pitched okay, delivering 99 pitches, allowing three runs, on nine hits, one walk, while not striking out any Royal batters.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Mark Teixeira stroked an opposite field single through an open hole at short, the result of the shift the Royals were playing against Teix. Then Rodriguez continued the Yankees “power show”, blasting a two-run homer (#20), on a pitch that was down-and-in from pitcher Kanekoa Texeira, over the centerfield wall 419 feet from the plate, that upped the Yanks lead to 6-3.
And, as the game entered the top of the ninth, Alex Rodriguez saved the best for last. After another single by Teixeira (2-for-5), A-Rod put the final stamp of approval on this historic night by soaring his third homer (#21), high into the Kansas City sky off pitcher Greg Holland. This two-run blast was the longest of all, arcing 439 feet from Rodriguez’s bat into the left-centerfield “flowing water fountain”, capping the score at 8-3. A-Rod was (4-for-5) in this game with five RBI’s, giving him a league-leading 97 RBI’s.
For Rodriguez, this was the second time he hit three home runs in a game as a member of the New York Yankees. On April 26, 2005 against the Angels at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, A-Rod blasted three homers off starter Bartolo Colon, driving home ten runs.
Also of note in this game, every Yankee starter in the lineup got at least one hit. And, after Hughes left the game after six innings, the Yankees bullpen was once again very solid allowing no runs and only one hit over the final three innings to preserve the 8-3 victory.
So, a great win for the Yankees (72-44), who remain in first place in the AL East, two games ahead of the Rays (70-46) and six games in front of the Red Sox (67-51), as both division rivals also won their games yesterday.
Watching Alex Rodriguez hit the three homers in this game was not exactly as exciting as watching Reggie Jackson hit his three home runs in Game Six of the 1977 World Series against the L.A. Dodgers at Yankee Stadium, on three straight pitches, against three different pitchers. But this power display by A-Rod was certainly exciting and fun to watch.
Most importanly though, Rodriguez, and Posada, and Granderson, all helped the Yankees win a big ball game, in the middle of a pennant race, with their home runs. And, that is the most exciting ending to this night. A Yankees victory.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
The Butler Did It; HR Drowns Yanks 4-3
Billy Butler hit a solo home run off the opposite field foul pole down the rightfield line to give the Kansas City Royals a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning of a rain-soaked game at Kauffman Stadium in Game Two of their four-game series against the New York Yankees.
The homer, which turned out to be the game-winner, came just before the second rain-delay of two hours and ten minutes in this game [an earlier delay lasted thirty-one minutes], to make this an official game in favor of the Royals, as the rain and lightning continued to light-up the Kansas City sky throughout the night.
Kansas City took a 3-0 lead off Yankees starter Dustin Moseley (L,2-2), in the bottom of the second on a two-run double by Betancourt, and a sacrifice fly by Jason Kendall.
The Yankees battled right back to tie the score in the top of the third when they put together a rally powered by five hits off Royals starting pitcher Kyle Davies (W,6-7).
After Derek Jeter made the first out, Curtis Granderson blooped a hit to centerfield; Mark Teixeira doubled down the rightfield line; Alex Rodriguez hit an infield RBI single to cut the score to 3-1; Robinson Cano stroked a run-scoring single to right to drive home Teixeira with the Yanks second run; Jorge Posada was [just] safe at first after grounding into a (3-4) force play at second base, setting-up a first and third situation for Lance Berkman, who hit a hard line drive RBI double into the rightfield corner to tie the score at 3-3. Davies ended the rally by striking out Austin Kearns for the final out of the inning.
After the long rain-delay in the fifth, both bullpens delivered excellent performances to hold the score at 4-3. The Yanks did have a chance to tie the score in the sixth, though, but stranded two runners; and, had a runner at second in the eight, but again could not score. So the game entered the top of the ninth with the Royals closer Joakim Soria now on the mound.
Jeter led off the ninth with a single. Then, after Granderson and Teixeira were retired by Soria, A-Rod hit a two-out single to create a first and third situation for Cano. But Cano grounded out to second for the final out that gave Soria his 32th save, as he preserved the Royals 4-3 victory.
This loss was a golden opportunity lost by the Bronx Bombers (71-44), as both the Rays and Red Sox also lost their games yesterday.
The Tampa Bay Rays (69-46), were shutout 5-0 by the Baltimore Orioles, who are now (9-2) since Buck Showalter took over leadership of the team as new manager. And the Boston Red Sox (66-51) blew an 8-2 lead, losing to the Texas Rangers 10-9 on a walk-off homer by Nelson Cruz in the 11th inning.
So, the pennant races continue with all games being very important during this part of the baseball season. And no team or game should be treated lightly, as every game must be played like a playoff game.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
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... 