Tagged: Rangers
Yanks Fall !!! …. Texas Rangers Win AL Crown !!!
“The New York Yankees ultimate goal every year is to win the World Series; anything less is a failure.”
… New York Yankees, Mission Statement,
Every New Baseball Season !
The final out has been made by the Yankees this year. And its official. The New York Yankees 2010 season was a failure.
As Game Six in the ALCS was approaching with the Texas Rangers leading the Yanks three games to two, everybody seemed to be talking about the great task the Yankees had in front of them facing Cliff Lee in the deciding Game Seven of this series. But all the focus should have been on the other Ranger starter with the initials C.L., Colby Lewis, who tossed a gem over eight outstanding innings, leading the Rangers to a 6-1 victory in Game Six that clinched the American League Championship for the Texas ball club, and positioned them into the World Series for the first time in their history.
The defending World Champion New York Yankees were out-pitched, out-hit, and out-played in every way possible in this series, and really deserved to leave Texas with only the final outcome that became a reality because of their bad play and the great play of the Rangers. All we can do in the Yankees Universe, is just “tip our collective hats” to the Texas Rangers, and wish them well in their upcoming World Series appearance.
As the “Captain” Derek Jeter said, of the Rangers, “They hit better, they pitched better, they played better. What else can you say?”
The Yankees did enter the bottom of the fifth in this game with the score tied 1-1. And Phil Hughes was pitching okay up to this point. But then the damage occurred. With two outs and a runner on base, Joe Girardi decided to intentionally walk Josh Hamilton, again, to bring Vladimir Guerrero up to the plate.
Over-managing? Well, Guerrero is one of the best hitters in the baseball. And you can only go to the “well” so many times. It was just a matter of time before the Rangers clean up hitter was going to get a big hit. And boom! Guerrero stroked a solid line-drive double over the head of center fielder Granderson to drive home two runs for a 3-1 Texas lead.
Girardi then decided to bring David Robertson into the game to pitch to the next batter Nelson Cruz, who blasted a two-run homer to increase the Rangers lead to 5-1. That was the final knockout blow, or so it seemed, as the Yankees never really recovered from that four-run inning. The rest of the way it was all Rangers, and just a matter of ticking off the remaining innings before the Ranger players celebrated their fine performance on this October night in Texas.
The Rangers scored their final run in the seventh inning to cap the score at 6-1.
Colby Lewis (W,2-0), ended up tossing 102 pitches in his eight innings of brilliance on the mound, allowing one run, on only three hits, three walks, and seven strikeouts. A worthy performance for the C.L. initialed starting pitcher.
Rangers closer Feliz pitched a scoreless ninth to end the game, which started a victory celebration for the Texas faithful.
Josh Hamilton was named the MVP of the series. He hit .350, with four home runs, seven RBI’s, and all those walks.
So a very disappointing ending to an overall very good Yankees season. And the season ends without our 28th World Championship. At least all in the Yankees Universe will know what uniform number Joe Girardi will be wearing next season.
On that note, I will give Manager Joe Girardi the final words on this ALCS …
“We didn’t accomplish what we set out to. As I told my guys, this hurts. It’s not a lot of fun watching other teams celebrate. They beat us; they out-hit us; they out-pitched us; and they out-played us.”
Only four months to pitchers and catchers !!!
— 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 …
Yanks Trip Back To Texas Is In CC’s Hands
Well, there is not much more that I can say that has not already been discussed about the Yankees overall poor performance [so far] in the 2010 ALCS against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees are down three games to one. And very simply have been out-pitched; out-hit; and out-played.
The masterpiece painted by Cliff Lee in Game Three kind of really turned this series over fully in favor of the Rangers. But looking back to the stretch run in September, that’s when the Yankees great season up to that point really started to unravel. This reversal of fortune is reflected in the numbers 9-17. If only the Yanks played to a record of 17-9, instead of 9-17, they would have finished in first place in the AL East with a 103-59 record. Not a 95-67 “wild card” second place finish to the Division Champion Tampa Bay Rays (96-66).
Yankee fans heard it over and over again from Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman that, oh, yeah, of course, we want to finish in first place. But if we finish second, that’s not a big deal ’cause we will still make the playoffs as the wild card team. True enough, as that was the case when the Yanks entered the playoffs. But, in my view, that “wild card” attitude set the tone that we now see.
Resting starting players. Limiting innings of pitchers. Over-managing with an eye towards the post-season. Not fully focusing on winning the AL East, with the best American League record. This all led to a “mixed-message” that created a relaxed atmosphere that seems to have carried over to the playoffs, or at least to this series vs. Texas.
It is amazing. The three-game sweep of the Twins seems so far away. Of couse, the television schedule has a lot to do with that. And that is another story, for another day.
Just venting on my part, is all.
But I still hold out hope that the Yankees “can” turn things around today with CC Sabathia on the mound. All the Yankees have to do is focus on just playing one game at a time. And if they take the next two, I really think the momentum will be back in their favor when they face Cliff Lee in Game Seven. Then, maybe, only with a Yankees victory, though, all those mixed messages of September will become a little clearer to all us Yankee fans.
Anyway, “Go CC”. The plane to Texas is fueled and ready to fly.
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Update: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Game Five: Yankees 7, Rangers 2
The Yankees cut the Texas Rangers lead in the ALCS to three games to two, as the series now heads back to Texas for Game Six, and hopefully, Game Seven.
CC Sabathia did not have his best stuff in this game, but pitched well enough to win, tossing 112 pitches over six battling innings, while allowing two runs, on 11 hits, seven strikeouts, and “zero” walks.
The key for the Bronx Bombers was getting an early lead, scoring three runs in the second inning. That lead increased to 5-0 with two runs in the third on back-to-back homers by Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano (who has four homers in this series). Curtis Granderson also hit a solo homerun in the eight inning, to cap the score at 7-2.
Two solid scoreless innings of relief by Kerry Wood in the seventh and eight “built the bridge” for Mariano Rivera to enter the game in the ninth. And the “Great Mariano” delivered once again, closing out this must-win victory for the Yanks with a scoreless performance.
Everything looks a lot brigher for the Yankees today as they get ready to play Game Six on Friday, October 22nd, in Texas.
“Go Yankees” !!!
— Jimmy “BY&L”
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 …
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 …
Yanks Keep Rolling; CC Wins 15th In K.C.
The first place in the AL East New York Yankees traveled to Kansas City to play a four-game series against the last place in the AL Cenral Royals, in a series that certainly will lack the playoff atmosphere of the last two series’ against the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. But all games are important. And the Yankees must continue to treat each series as if it were a playoff series; playing every game as if it was the last game of the World Series.
The Yankees built up an easy 3-0 lead through the first four innings.
A RBI single by Curtis Granderson in the second inning started the scoring in this game, putting the Yanks on the scoreboard first with a 1-0 lead. In the third, Mark Teixeira hit a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead. And in the fourth, Austin Kearns belted his first homer as a Yankee [his ninth this season], that upped the lead to 3-0.
Teixeira was back in the lineup after remaining in New York to be with his wife Leigh for the birth of their third child, a son, named Will. Our prayers and best wishes go out to the Teixeira family on this happy occasion.
Mark did not want to miss the two games the Yankees played in Texas, but he said, “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I missed my child’s birth or if anything happened. There was no question in my mind [being with Leigh for the birth].”
Mark Teixeira also had praise for the great series Marcus Thames had in Texas, batting third in the lineup in both games. Teixeira said, “That’s what a team is all about, twenty five guys. At some point in the season, everyone is going to chip in and step up in a big way.”
Kansas City scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Yanks lead to 3-1.
The Royals starter Bruce Chen (L,7-6), lasted five innings, in which he tossed 92 pitches, while allowing three runs, on eight hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.
CC Sabathia was pitching another solid game for the Yanks, who increased their lead to 4-1 on a RBI by Alex Rodriguez in the seventh inning.
This game was moving right along. And it looked like Sabathia just might take the mound in the ninth inning with a chance to earn his third “complete game” of the season. He already had the Yankees only two complete games so far, back-to-back actually, against Texas on April 16th, a rain-shortened victory; and, in Oakland on April 22th, an eight-inning pitched loss to the A’s.
Through eight innings in this contest CC had thrown only 100 pitches. So, yes, Joe Girardi decided to send Sabathia to the mound in the bottom of the ninth to complete the game, and close out the victory.
Sabathia retired the first batter Betancourt on a grounder to third. Gordon then singled to center. And Mike Aviles followed with a bloop hit to right that created a first and second situation with one out. Mitch Maier was up next and grounded into a force play (3-4) at second base. There were now two outs with runners at first and third.
At this point, with right-haned batter Willie Bloomquist up next, Girardi decided to call David Robertson into the game for the save. It seemed Mariano Rivera had this night off.
Sabathia ended up throwing 110 pitches over eight and two-third innings, allowing one run, on ten hits, two walks, and only three strikeouts. Both runners on base were CC’s responsibility, though. And it was Robertson’s job to keep them from scoring.
Bloomquist worked the count to (2-0), then hit a line drive two-run double to rightfield cutting the score to 4-3. This is not what is expected from the bullpen.
Wilson Betemit was the next batter, and dribbled a (1-2) pitch in front of the plate on the third base side that Robertson tried to field but could not get a grip on the ball, which resulted in an infield hit. It was now first and third with two outs with Jason Kendall coming up to the plate.
Robertson and the Yankees [now] had to really earn this victory.
The first pitch to Kendall was a ball. Then, a strike, to even the count at (1-1). The next pitch was in the dirt when Kendall swung and missed for strike two. Foul ball, still (1-2). High and inside, up by Kendall’s head (2-2). Foul ball, count remained (2-2).
Then, Robertson delivered a perfect breaking ball, “maybe the best pitch he has thrown this season”, said, Ken Singleton and John Flaherty on the YES television broadcast, that Kendall swung right through, missing the ball for strike three.
Yankees win !!!
This was Robertson’s first save this season.
CC Sabathia is now 15-5, with a 3.14 ERA.
The Yankees held on for a 4-3 win, in a game that looked like they would get an easy victory. But in the end, they really had to earn this win.
At this time of the year, all games are important, just like playoff games.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Make Statement In 7-6 Comeback Win In Texas
As the second game of this two-game mini-series against the Texas Rangers entered the sixth inning, it did not look very good for the New York Yankees. Cliff Lee was cruising along to another complete game victory. Javier Vazquez was terrible; already out of the game after allowing six runs, on eight hits, two walks, and “no” strikeouts, in four and a third innings. And the Yanks were losing 6-1 in what surely looked like the Rangers would end the night with a two-game sweep of the Bombers.
Then, the Yanks scored a run in the sixth to cut the score to 6-2. And got a couple of RBI hits by Lance Berkman and Brett Gardner in the top of the seventh to tighten the score even more, but still in favor of the Rangers, 6-4.
More importantly, though, Lee was not going to pitch any further than the seven and a third innings he already tossed. Lee’s night ended in the seventh, like U.S. Grant was leading the charge. But making a powerful charge, comeback, and statement were the Yankees – the Yankees from the Bronx.
Until the seventh, Lee was pitching like the pitcher the Yankees had thought they made a trade for a few weeks ago. Brian Cashman tried to work out a deal, but better players from the Rangers brought the ace to Texas. The Yanks will have to wait until this winter before Lee starts seraching for houses in the New York area, again. Certainly the wait will be worth it. But Lee would have been a very important addition to the Yankees starting staff right now, even after seeing him leave yesterday’s game way too early. Of course, way too early as far as the Rangers were concerned.
Cliff Lee left the mound after throwing 106 pitches over seven and a third innings, in which he allowed four runs, on eight hits, “no” walks, and “eleven” strikeouts. Still a much better outing than Vazquez.
Lee’s departure started a parade of six relievers from the Rangers bullpen.
Marcus Thames (3-for-5), with two runs, and two RBI’s, blasted a home run, his fourth this season, in the top of the eight, to close the score to 6-5.
After Mitre and Wood held the Rangers scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, this game entered the top of the ninth with the Yanks still trailing 6-5.
Texas Manager Ron Washington mixed and matched pitchers in the ninth, starting with closer Neftali Feliz.
Feliz walked Berkman, which was followed by a single by Brett Gardner (2-for-4). Derek Jeter (3-for-5) was up next, and was set to bunt the runners over. But Feliz threw a wild pitch which did the same job a bunt would have done – advance both runners.
Curtis Granderson was now in the game as a pinch-runner for Berkman, and scored the tying run on a RBI single up the middle [of a drawn-in infield] by Jeter.
The next batter, Nick Swisher, struck out.
Thames was up next and faced new reliever Alexi Ogando.
And, Marcus Thames delivered once again, by lining a RBI single to leftfield that moved the Yanks into the 7-6 lead.
The Yanks battled all the way back from being down 6-1, to now taking the lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Enter The “Great” Mariano Rivera.
The inning started like the night before for Mariano, by giving up a hit. This time a triple to Elvis Andrus.
So, with the tying run at third, Mariano retired Michael Young on a fly ball to right for out number one; Got Josh Hamilton to hit a soft ground ball to the mound for the second out; And, ended the game by getting Vladimir Guerrero to hit a grounder to third for the final out, which earned The Great Mariano his 24th save.
Game over. The Yankees win 7-6, completing their comeback and statement.
– 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 …
Moseley “Dust-in-Time”. Replaces A.J.; Beats Sox 7-2
A.J. Burnett was supposed to start Game Three of the four-game series against the Boston Red Sox; but, Burnett suffered some back stiffness in a throwing session before the game. So, Joe Girardi decided to scratch the struggling starter, and move up Dustin Moseley one day in the rotation to replace A.J. and start the ESPN Sunday Night Game vs. the Sox.
This move also affected Phil Hughes, who will also be moved up in the rotation to start the final game of this series on Monday afternoon. Burnett is expected to start Tuesday’s game against the Rangers when the Yanks begin a six-game road trip in Texas [two games vs. the Rangers; and, four games against the Kansas City Royals].
There were many story lines in this game, but the brillant pitching performance by Moseley was the lead story.
Dustin Moseley (2-1), delivered a solid six and a third innings on the mound, allowing two runs, on six hits and two walks, while striking out five. Boston scored their runs on a fifth inning solo homer by Bill Hall (#13), off Moseley; and, a pitch-hit RBI single by Mike Lowell in the seventh off reliever Joba Chamberlain.
Joba was not effective in his outing, as he also walked a batter before a not-too-happy manager Joe Girardi replaced him with Boone Logan who got out of the late-inning jam.
The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Lance Berkman doubled, and scored on an infield hit by Brett Gardner, that included an error by second-baseman Hall, which allowed the first run to score. And, then, Derek Jeter stroked a solid line drive RBI single to center that plated Gardner with the Yanks second run.
This was Jeter’s 2,874th career hit, which passed the great Babe Ruth on the all-time hit list, positioning the captain in 39th place on the historic list. The New York Giants Mel Ott is next on the list, as Jeter continues on his path to becoming the first Yankee player to reach 3,000 lifetime hits, and many more, depending on how long Jeter decides to play for the Bronx Bombers.
With the score 2-1 as the Yanks entered the bottom of the fifth, the Bombers exploded for five runs to break this game wide open.
Mark Teixeira led off the the inning with his 25th homer, making Teix only the fourth Major League player to hit at least 25 homeruns in each of their first eight seasons in the bigs. The other players to achieve this rare stat were Eddie Mathews, Darryl Strawberry, and Albert Pujols. Very cool, indeed !!!!
The Yankees then scored the rest of their runs in the fifth when Robinson Cano crossed the plate on an error by catcher Kevin Cash on an attempted pickoff throw; A RBI double by Berkman who was (3-for-4) in the game, finally breaking through with the production the Yankees expect from him; And, a two-RBI double by Jeter, that capped the five-run inning, giving the Yanks a 7-2 lead, which completed the scoring in this contest.
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett (L,3-2), was knocked out of the game in the bottom of the fifth, after a very poor showing in this game. The Yanks pounded out 11 hits, and walked twice, in route to scoring their seven runs off Beckett, which increased his ERA to 6.21.
The bullpen was effective the rest of the way for the Sox, as Delcarmen ended the fifth inning with a strikeout. And, Tim Wakefield delivered three scoreless innings in the 7th, 8th, and 9th. But, the Sox could not produce a comeback rally, and the score stayed at 7-2 in favor of the Yanks.
Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup playing third base for the Yanks. And showed no ill effects from the batting practice ball that was hit off his left ankle before Saturday’s game. A-Rod was (1-for-3), with a walk and run scored, and, also, a stolen base, the 300th of his career.
David Robertson recorded the first two outs of the ninth, including walking a batter, which inspired Girardi to bring in Mariano Rivera to get the final out in this very important game, even though it was not a save situation.
The Great Mariano delivered once again by throwing one pitch which resulted in out number three, preserving another Yankees victory.
And, so it goes.
The Yankees (69-41) remain in first place in the AL East by 2.5 games over the Tampa Bay Rays (67-44), who lost 1-0 yesterday against the Toronto Blue Jays, in a game in which the Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow had a no-hitter with two-outs in the ninth inning that was broken up by an infield single by Evan Longoria. Morrow stayed in the game after the hit to earn a 1-0 complete game shutout, which is just as rare as a no-hitter these days in baseball. The three-game sweep by Jays continued a five-game losing streak by the Rays.
With their loss in the Bronx, the Red Sox (63-49) stay in third place, seven games behind the Yankees, and five games behind the Rays.
The Yankees now look to win this series from the Red Sox with a victory in Game Four at the Stadium, Monday afternoon, in the Beautiful Bronx, New York.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Score Nine Again; Beat Texas 9-2 This Time
Baseball is a funny game which is one of the many reasons that baseball is such a “great” game.
In the middle game of the three-game series against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium, the Yanks took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh when they put this game out of reach, scoring five runs that capped the Yankees 9-2 victory.
Robinson Cano led off the seventh with a double, and Jerry Hairston, Jr. walked, setting-up a first and second, no out, situation for the next batter Melky Cabrera.
This is interesting because in the first game of this series the Yankees entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing the Rangers 10-5 when they put together a rally that almost tied or won that very exciting contest.
Joba Chamberlain pitched very poorly in the first game — a game in which I was at the new ballpark, with my brother, for my second visit. We were sitting all the way up in Section 405, Row 5, of the grandstand, just under the rightfield facade/frieze that was in about the same seat location that was under the frieze at the old Yankee Stadium in which the great Mickey Mantle once hit a hard line drive blast, off the frieze, just inches from traveling out of the old Stadium into the surrounding Bronx streets.
Anyway, the view was not as bad as I expected, except for any plays that were in the right and right centerfield parts of the field. But, the seats were close enought to hear the boos directed at Joba when he walked off the mound in the top of the fourth after he allowed seven runs, on nine hits, and three walks, in the game, wasting the 4-0 lead that the Yanks staked Joba to in the first inning.
Chad Gaudin allowed the other three Rangers runs on a solo homer by Nelson Cruz, and a two-run homer by Michael Young that made the score 10-5 through seven innings.
The score remained 10-5 as the Yankees attemped their comeback in the bottom of the ninth.
Damon led off the inning with a single, which was followed by back to back walks to Teixeira and A-Rod that loaded the bases; then, RBI singles by Matsui and Posada made the score 10-7.
Robinson Cano kept the rally going by stroking a two-RBI single that cut the Rangers lead to 10-9. There were now runners on first [Cano], and second [Hairston, pinch-running for Posada], with no outs.
In this game, Matsui, Posada, and Cano each had three RBI’s apiece accounting for all nine Yankee runs.
Now, returning to the seventh inning of the middle game of this series, with runners on first and second, and no outs, Melky Cabrera put down a perfect sacrifice bunt that actually ended up with Melky standing on first base after the pitcher made an error on the play which loaded the bases with no outs for Derek Jeter.
The “captain” promptly hit a two-RBI single that increased the lead to 6-2; then, Swisher doubled to make the score 7-2; and, finally, Teixeira hit a line drive two-RBI double down the rightfield line that completed the scoring in this five-run inning and gave the Yanks the 9-2 lead. The inning ended with Alex Rodriguez hitting into a 4-6-3 double play, and Matsui striking out.
Connecting these two games, I return to the ninth inning of the first game with runners on first and second, no outs, and the Rangers leading 10-9.
Nick Swisher was the next batter, and Joe Girardi called for a bunt.
Normally, I agree with most small-ball decisions; but, at the time, in that situation, it was not a move that I would have made.
Swisher has a great eye at the plate, with power, but certainly is not a great bunter.
The odds were probably just as great that Swisher would draw a walk, or get a hit, or hit a three-run, game-winning homer. He could have also struck out or hit into a double play. In this situation, though, I would have taken my chances with any move other than an attempted sac bunt.
If Melky was the batter, like in the middle game, the bunt would be the perfect play. But, as it turned out, Swisher bunted a pop up to the third baseman for the first out; and, Melky, who was up next, hit a hard liner to the shortstop that turned into a game-ending, unassisted double play on a close play at second in which shortstop Andrus just beat Hairston to the bag for the final out of this tough 10-9 loss by the Yankees.
The ball was hit very hard by Melky, and oh so close to being a game-tying base hit.
Baseball is a funny game.
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 