If there was any way to follow up Sunday's thrilling extra-inning win against the Boston Red Sox, tonight's win was certainly it.
Shut down starting pitching. Clutch hitting. Solid defense. A one-two-three inning of relief.
The Yankees tonight played shades of the type of baseball that helped them three-peat in the late nineties--not flawless, but they hid their weaknesses and took advantage of the opportunities they had.
Andy Pettitte pitched as though he was pitching game seven of the World Series, going eight innings and surrendering just four hits. He had five strike outs, no walks, and only had one inning in which he allowed more than one Ray to reach base. It was easily one of his best starts this season, and had his pitch count been just a little lower, he had a shot at a complete game shut out, as well.
Pettitte is 7-1 in his last ten starts.
The Yankee offense wasn't brilliant, but Derek Jeter had a clutch two out, two run double in the bottom of the third to put the Yankees up 2-0, and the Yankees never looked back.
The Yankees didn't score again until the eighth, but they picked up three insurance runs against a much improved Tampa Bay bullpen. Melky Cabrera had his first home run in nearly a month; he now has more home runs than he did all of last year.
Derek Jeter also helped the Yankees on defense--in the seventh inning with two outs he made a brilliant jump-throw to second base for the force on Dioner Navarro to keep the Yankees' lead at 2-0.
The Yankees now have a chance to get within 6.5 games of Tampa with a win tomorrow--no easy task with Sidney Ponson on the mound--but then again, stranger things have happened.
The best thing the Yankees can possibly do now is to head into the All Star break on a high; the win tonight certainly helps their cause.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Garden Variety Win (Postgame Notes 6 July 2008)
I'll forgive you if you just had a flashback to 17 October 2003.
I mean, sure it wasn't game seven of the ALCS, but try telling that to the Yankees, who played the game as if that was the case.
Down by two in the seventh inning, the Yankees rallied to tie it and then won it with two outs in the bottom of the tenth. It's not just that the Yankees won a thrilling, nail-biting game with not just a few questionable ball/strike calls from home plate umpire Laz Diaz, or that they salvaged a series split with Boston...
...but it's that they played the game as if it was October. Tim Wakefield was good, but Robbie Canò and Brett Gardner--not necessarily the biggest offensive threats--got the right hits in the right situation.
Mariano Rivera, who has been comparatively shaky in tie games this year, pitched two scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth--even striking out Manny Ramirez on three pitches--(Kyle Farnsworth also got the job done in the 8th)--and didn't bother to hide his excitement when Gardner came through in the bottom of the tenth.
Joba cruised through the first four innings, and probably would have gotten out of the fifth with the game still tied if not for a questionable call on what looked like a swing for strike three from Jacoby Ellsbury. Still, three runs through six innings is a quality start, and that's exactly what Joba gave the team.
Without question, though, tonight's win belongs to Brett Gardner, who has as many hits as steals. He worked Johnathan Papelbon as though Papelbon was any run of the mill pitcher, fouling pitches off until he found one he liked and hitting it through a hole in the infield, with just enough on it that Boston could not field it cleanly.
While the jury's still out on Gardner in the long run, tonight belongs to him.
I mean, sure it wasn't game seven of the ALCS, but try telling that to the Yankees, who played the game as if that was the case.
Down by two in the seventh inning, the Yankees rallied to tie it and then won it with two outs in the bottom of the tenth. It's not just that the Yankees won a thrilling, nail-biting game with not just a few questionable ball/strike calls from home plate umpire Laz Diaz, or that they salvaged a series split with Boston...
...but it's that they played the game as if it was October. Tim Wakefield was good, but Robbie Canò and Brett Gardner--not necessarily the biggest offensive threats--got the right hits in the right situation.
Mariano Rivera, who has been comparatively shaky in tie games this year, pitched two scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth--even striking out Manny Ramirez on three pitches--(Kyle Farnsworth also got the job done in the 8th)--and didn't bother to hide his excitement when Gardner came through in the bottom of the tenth.
Joba cruised through the first four innings, and probably would have gotten out of the fifth with the game still tied if not for a questionable call on what looked like a swing for strike three from Jacoby Ellsbury. Still, three runs through six innings is a quality start, and that's exactly what Joba gave the team.
Without question, though, tonight's win belongs to Brett Gardner, who has as many hits as steals. He worked Johnathan Papelbon as though Papelbon was any run of the mill pitcher, fouling pitches off until he found one he liked and hitting it through a hole in the infield, with just enough on it that Boston could not field it cleanly.
While the jury's still out on Gardner in the long run, tonight belongs to him.
About the All Star selections
Jason Varitek makes the all star team...
and Mike Mussina doesn't?
Doesn't seem fair, does it? More later.
and Mike Mussina doesn't?
Doesn't seem fair, does it? More later.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Relieving Dangerously, Part Two (Postgame Notes 5 July 2008)
When I woke up this morning, I did not have a cardiologist.
I think I need one now.
Having lost two straight and four of five, the Yankees needed a win tonight in the worst way. One win can't make or break an entire season but yet, today, that's what it felt like.
Mike Mussina certainly pitched like it was the case, allowing just four hits over six innings and picking up his eleventh win. He has become the Yankee stopper in nearly every way this season and may have saved their season with today's performance. Mussina only won eleven games all season last year.
Jose Veras and Kyle Farnsworth were excellent; they seem to have morphed into a tandom with Veras in the seventh and Farnsworth in the eighth, and they have fit the roles well. With Jose Veras breathing down Farnsworth's neck for the eighth inning role, Farnnsworth has stepped up his performance.
Mariano Rivera in the ninth, however, was...interesting. Perhaps it's just that Mo likes making things interesting with Boston, but he seems to have some special enjoyment of pitching in pressure situations (which would explain why he's Mariano Rivera).
Anyway. Boston was able to load the bases with no one out in the top of the ninth, but Rivera wwas able to come back and get a strike out, a pop out and a strike out.
The Yankees offense was not great, but they were able to scratch out two runs, which, with the Yankee pitching today, was enough.
Anyway, I'm going to go phone for a cardiologist.
Joba tomorrow.
I think I need one now.
Having lost two straight and four of five, the Yankees needed a win tonight in the worst way. One win can't make or break an entire season but yet, today, that's what it felt like.
Mike Mussina certainly pitched like it was the case, allowing just four hits over six innings and picking up his eleventh win. He has become the Yankee stopper in nearly every way this season and may have saved their season with today's performance. Mussina only won eleven games all season last year.
Jose Veras and Kyle Farnsworth were excellent; they seem to have morphed into a tandom with Veras in the seventh and Farnsworth in the eighth, and they have fit the roles well. With Jose Veras breathing down Farnsworth's neck for the eighth inning role, Farnnsworth has stepped up his performance.
Mariano Rivera in the ninth, however, was...interesting. Perhaps it's just that Mo likes making things interesting with Boston, but he seems to have some special enjoyment of pitching in pressure situations (which would explain why he's Mariano Rivera).
Anyway. Boston was able to load the bases with no one out in the top of the ninth, but Rivera wwas able to come back and get a strike out, a pop out and a strike out.
The Yankees offense was not great, but they were able to scratch out two runs, which, with the Yankee pitching today, was enough.
Anyway, I'm going to go phone for a cardiologist.
Joba tomorrow.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Happy Fourth!
Have a great 4th of July!
Please drink and watch Yankees baseball responsibly.
For the Yankees, please, for the love of all that's holy, play responsibly!
Please drink and watch Yankees baseball responsibly.
For the Yankees, please, for the love of all that's holy, play responsibly!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Found in New York (Postgame Notes 2 July 2008)
FOUND IN NEW YORK
The missing offense advertised last night has been found today, at the corner of 161st Ave and River Avenue. It was found in a condition healthy enough for 18 runs on 16 hits and 7 walks.
The offense was returned by pitchers L. Mendoza, W. Madrigal and J. Wright and hitters J. Giambi, B. Abreu, A. Rodriguez, R Canò, and B. Gardner.
The reward for the tip will be given to one Hank Steinbrenner, whose pre-game comments were instrumental in the offense's return.
Pitchers Mendoza, Madrigal and Wright have the thanks of the Yankees' pitching staff, and Sir Sidney Ponson would like to offer his own personal "thank you" as well.
******
NOTICE
WARNING: On 3 July, a group of baseball players known as the Boston Red Sox will be arriving at Yankee Stadium. Said group of baseballers are known to be unwelcome in the city of New York, and fans of the New York Yankees are asked to exercise all due caution in watching said baseball games.
Known consequences of watching Yankees-Red Sox include: heart arrythmia, hyperventilation, compulsive nail biting, exclamation of vulgar remarks, alcoholic beverage spillage and minor property destruction.
Casual baseball fans are advised not to watch said games unless under proper fanatical supervision.
(actually, you might want to reverse that)
The missing offense advertised last night has been found today, at the corner of 161st Ave and River Avenue. It was found in a condition healthy enough for 18 runs on 16 hits and 7 walks.
The offense was returned by pitchers L. Mendoza, W. Madrigal and J. Wright and hitters J. Giambi, B. Abreu, A. Rodriguez, R Canò, and B. Gardner.
The reward for the tip will be given to one Hank Steinbrenner, whose pre-game comments were instrumental in the offense's return.
Pitchers Mendoza, Madrigal and Wright have the thanks of the Yankees' pitching staff, and Sir Sidney Ponson would like to offer his own personal "thank you" as well.
******
NOTICE
WARNING: On 3 July, a group of baseball players known as the Boston Red Sox will be arriving at Yankee Stadium. Said group of baseballers are known to be unwelcome in the city of New York, and fans of the New York Yankees are asked to exercise all due caution in watching said baseball games.
Known consequences of watching Yankees-Red Sox include: heart arrythmia, hyperventilation, compulsive nail biting, exclamation of vulgar remarks, alcoholic beverage spillage and minor property destruction.
Casual baseball fans are advised not to watch said games unless under proper fanatical supervision.
(actually, you might want to reverse that)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Missing in New York
Missing:
Offense Capable of Mounting Sustained Attack over Nine Innings
Description:
Said offense ranges in ages from 23-38. Mix of American, Latino and Japanese. Can play every position on a baseball diamond, though there is controversy over shortstop, the first baseman doesn't like to throw to second and the right fielder has a phobia of walls.
Third baseman is known for hitting home runs.
First baseman's face may be obscured by garish mustache.
Last Seen:
Offense was last spotted on the evening of 27 June 2008 at Shea Stadium. Previous whereabouts include Pittsburgh, PA and 2007.
Reward:
Reward includes October Baseball
If spotted, please notify one Joe Girardi, 161st Street and River Avenue, Bronx, New York ASAP.
This notice published on behalf of Darrel Rasner, Mike Mussina, Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte, Sidney Ponson, Dan Giese, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera
Offense Capable of Mounting Sustained Attack over Nine Innings
Description:
Said offense ranges in ages from 23-38. Mix of American, Latino and Japanese. Can play every position on a baseball diamond, though there is controversy over shortstop, the first baseman doesn't like to throw to second and the right fielder has a phobia of walls.
Third baseman is known for hitting home runs.
First baseman's face may be obscured by garish mustache.
Last Seen:
Offense was last spotted on the evening of 27 June 2008 at Shea Stadium. Previous whereabouts include Pittsburgh, PA and 2007.
Reward:
Reward includes October Baseball
If spotted, please notify one Joe Girardi, 161st Street and River Avenue, Bronx, New York ASAP.
This notice published on behalf of Darrel Rasner, Mike Mussina, Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte, Sidney Ponson, Dan Giese, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera
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