This kid has only been here since July, but Jerry Hairston Jr. knows what it means to be a 2009 Yankee: "We knew we were going to win this game."
Hairston was the baserunner for the Yanks in the bottom of the 13th, the random cog left from New York's postseason-shrunk roster who scored on a Melky Cabrera slapshot up the middle that the Angels bobbled. The Yankees won the second game of the American League Championship Series 4-3 but more importantly kept their hex over an Angels team that doesn't appear to be able to beat them, even with the game handed over on a silver platter.
Los Angeles left 28 men on base tonight, committed two errors and saw its everyone-hits-over-.300 lineup bat .170.
But the Angels faults were of secondary concern, for their failure was a reaction to the Yankees, who squandered most of the game until gutting out the win four innings past the end of regulation, in nasty conditions of heavy rain and whipping winds. New York had already committed three errors of its own, putting Angels on base with no outs due to walks, wild pitches, errors and muffed catches. Even the vaunted Yankees lineup left 20 men on base, with the 2009 Murderer's Row bleeting just .271 with hardly any runs to show for it.
The Angels left the door open, and the Yankees charged through. Pie in hands, ear-warmers in their pockets, Anaheim on their minds, New York took the contest by the neck once the game went to extra innings and produced what can be called nothing other than a fall classic.
It was a win so good you could barely touch it, with soaked fans in rally caps watching the new version of the New York Yankees sketch a picture-perfect win the same way Yankees teams have done in the postseason 26 times before.
Every New York starter had a hit in the marathon, sans Mark Teixeira (who was busy earning his paycheck by devouring every ball that came near first base). Robinson Cano, who appeared eager to become the team goat with two terrible errors, put the Yankees up early with an RBI triple.
Derek Jeter's solo home run gave New York a 2-0 edge before A.J. Burnett's wild throws let the Angels back into the game.
But New York's bullpen was phenomenal, and after Alex Rodriguez continued his postseason rampage with an equalizer in the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees calmly held on before squirting the winner across in the 13th, breaking the Angels' will.
Maicer Izturis lost the game for the Angels the same way the Pirates lose every season: trying to be the Yankees, when you really, really can't be. Izturis tried to throw across his body and get the runner on second, pulling a "Jeter" (the classic spin and throw move from the New York shortstop). Instead, he threw the ball, and the game, away.
Damon and Cabrera were the only Yankees with two hits. Jeter, Rodriguez and Cano had the three RBI (the final run scoring on an error).
Although his usual erratic self on the mound, Burnett threw some good stuff, too, picking up four strikeouts against only two walks in 6.1 innings of work.
Mariano Rivera worked a little longer than usual, logging 2.1 innings in the 13-inning contest.
The series now shifts to sunny California, with three games scheduled. Judging by the mood of the Yankees clubhouse, and all that shaving cream Burnett is stuffing in his duffel, though, the Angels' season could easily end in two.
Mrs. October? A tribute to the 2009 version of A-Rod
Photos from tonight's game
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Showing posts with label american league championship series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american league championship series. Show all posts
10.18.2009
Mrs. October? A tribute to the 2009 version of A-Rod
You want him to do it. He comes to the plate, and you say, "Come on, A-Rod. Over the fence."
And he does it, effortlessly. In his prettier-than-springtime swing, he sends the ball sailing out of the diamond. Left field, right field, deep, short — a homer's a homer, and Alex Rodriguez is hitting them whenever they're needed.
Rodriguez took the monkeys off his back last week as the Yankees steamrolled the Minnesota Twins behind half a dozen A-Rod RBI.
Tonight, he pulled the Yankees onto his back by keeping them in a game they blew numerous chances to win.
New York had been clipping along fine, with Robbie Cano smashing a triple to score a run, then Mr. Postseason hitting a homer (Derek Jeter, who is not much of a power hitter, smacks round-trippers in the postseason like a kid raiding the cookie jar once his parents have left the house).
But scattershot-throwing A.J. Burnett let the lead slip away. A walk and a wild pitch with hits interspersed vaporized the 2-0 New York edge.
Both teams hung tough and piled men on the bases. Both teams saw unusual errors fall from their usually golden gloves. Both teams also got gutsy pitching and good fielding to keep it all close.
At first base, Mark Teixeira showed he was worth every penny of his $172 million with play after play. Stretching, lunging, scooping — any ball tossed within 10 feet of the bag fell into Tex's mitt.
Johnny Damon made a great catch in left, and Yankees speedsters Freddy Guzman and Brett Gardner were available to spare the old legs.
But New York couldn't break the tie. And then Los Angeles went ahead by a run.
The Yankees have had 51 come-from-behind wins this year (out of 103 total wins) and 15 walkoff shots. Signs in the outfield seats read "WE WANT PIE" as the rain fell harder and Burnett, the team's resident walk-off baker, watched his squandered lead loom larger.
Enter A-Rod.
The cleanup batter was 0-for-4 so far in the game, the first game of this postseason he didn't have an RBI in yet.
But when Alex Rodriguez shows up in October, he really shows up. The 2009 A-Rod changes games, bails his team out, pierces the challengers to the heart.
A-Rod fell behind 0-2 in the count, but looking as calm as he has every other time he's altered a game in the past two weeks, he stepped back into the box for another pitch.
Connection. It's in the air, a line drive at least. It'll drop in right. No wait, it's carrying. It's carrying! It's in Bobby Abreu land (that's a good sign this won't be a catch).
It's gone. How on earth did he do that — again?
Bottom of the 11th, game tied, a few more scoreless frames to follow. (Including one where A-Rod fails to drive in a go-ahead run with the bases loaded; does he only work October magic when tying games?) I don't think there's anyone in New York, or the rest of baseball, doubting A-Rod anymore. Monkeys off the back, team on it.
I'm not ready to anoint him Mr. October — he still runs like a girl. Could this be Mrs. October?
Yankees 4, Angels 3 game recap
Other Yankees Post
And he does it, effortlessly. In his prettier-than-springtime swing, he sends the ball sailing out of the diamond. Left field, right field, deep, short — a homer's a homer, and Alex Rodriguez is hitting them whenever they're needed.
Rodriguez took the monkeys off his back last week as the Yankees steamrolled the Minnesota Twins behind half a dozen A-Rod RBI.
Tonight, he pulled the Yankees onto his back by keeping them in a game they blew numerous chances to win.
New York had been clipping along fine, with Robbie Cano smashing a triple to score a run, then Mr. Postseason hitting a homer (Derek Jeter, who is not much of a power hitter, smacks round-trippers in the postseason like a kid raiding the cookie jar once his parents have left the house).
But scattershot-throwing A.J. Burnett let the lead slip away. A walk and a wild pitch with hits interspersed vaporized the 2-0 New York edge.
Both teams hung tough and piled men on the bases. Both teams saw unusual errors fall from their usually golden gloves. Both teams also got gutsy pitching and good fielding to keep it all close.
At first base, Mark Teixeira showed he was worth every penny of his $172 million with play after play. Stretching, lunging, scooping — any ball tossed within 10 feet of the bag fell into Tex's mitt.
Johnny Damon made a great catch in left, and Yankees speedsters Freddy Guzman and Brett Gardner were available to spare the old legs.
But New York couldn't break the tie. And then Los Angeles went ahead by a run.
The Yankees have had 51 come-from-behind wins this year (out of 103 total wins) and 15 walkoff shots. Signs in the outfield seats read "WE WANT PIE" as the rain fell harder and Burnett, the team's resident walk-off baker, watched his squandered lead loom larger.
Enter A-Rod.
The cleanup batter was 0-for-4 so far in the game, the first game of this postseason he didn't have an RBI in yet.
But when Alex Rodriguez shows up in October, he really shows up. The 2009 A-Rod changes games, bails his team out, pierces the challengers to the heart.
A-Rod fell behind 0-2 in the count, but looking as calm as he has every other time he's altered a game in the past two weeks, he stepped back into the box for another pitch.
Connection. It's in the air, a line drive at least. It'll drop in right. No wait, it's carrying. It's carrying! It's in Bobby Abreu land (that's a good sign this won't be a catch).
It's gone. How on earth did he do that — again?
Bottom of the 11th, game tied, a few more scoreless frames to follow. (Including one where A-Rod fails to drive in a go-ahead run with the bases loaded; does he only work October magic when tying games?) I don't think there's anyone in New York, or the rest of baseball, doubting A-Rod anymore. Monkeys off the back, team on it.
I'm not ready to anoint him Mr. October — he still runs like a girl. Could this be Mrs. October?
Yankees 4, Angels 3 game recap
Other Yankees Post
10.16.2009
Yankees take the opener
CC Sabathia, the old workhorse, went eight innings and 113 pitchings in a game where the Yankees were clearly flummoxing the visiting Angels.
Countless dropped balls and missed opportunities led to L.A.'s demise while the steady puttering of the Yankees machine gave the home team the 4-1 victory edge.
In a game devoid of home runs, New York won it the old-fashioned way. Hideki Matsui went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI (that man's legs are truly old-fashioned), and Alex Rodriguez knocked in a run on 1-for-2 hitting.
Derek Jeter (RBI) and Johnny Damon went 2-for-5. Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira knocked in the other two hits.
Doubles by Matsui and Damon were the only extra-base hits.
Sabathia was the true star of the game, however, muscling his way through eight strong innings while only allowing four hits. He struck out seven and walked just one.
The Yankees also kept the speedy L.A. runners off the basepaths.
Tomorrow night the two teams play again in another 7:57 nightcap, with A.J. Burnett throwing to try to take the Yankees to Anaheim with a 2-0 edge.
The Yankees Not-So-Gaudy Playoff Statistics:
Alex Rodriguez: .462, 7 RBI, 2 HR
Derek Jeter: .400, 3 RBI
Hideki Matsui: .333, 4 RBI, HR
Jorge Posada: .286, 2 RBI, HR
Melky Cabrera: .214
Mark Teixeira: .188, game-winning HR
Johnny Damon: .176
Robinson Cano: .133
Nick Swisher: .125
CC Sabathia: 1.23 ERA, 15 Ks, 14.2 IP
A.J. Burnett: 1.50 ERA, 6 Ks, 6.0 IP
Andy Pettitte: 1.42 ERA, 7 Ks, 6.1 IP
Mariano Rivera: 0.00 ERA, 8 Ks, 3.2 IP
Other Yankees Posts
Countless dropped balls and missed opportunities led to L.A.'s demise while the steady puttering of the Yankees machine gave the home team the 4-1 victory edge.
In a game devoid of home runs, New York won it the old-fashioned way. Hideki Matsui went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI (that man's legs are truly old-fashioned), and Alex Rodriguez knocked in a run on 1-for-2 hitting.
Derek Jeter (RBI) and Johnny Damon went 2-for-5. Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira knocked in the other two hits.
Doubles by Matsui and Damon were the only extra-base hits.
Sabathia was the true star of the game, however, muscling his way through eight strong innings while only allowing four hits. He struck out seven and walked just one.
The Yankees also kept the speedy L.A. runners off the basepaths.
Tomorrow night the two teams play again in another 7:57 nightcap, with A.J. Burnett throwing to try to take the Yankees to Anaheim with a 2-0 edge.
The Yankees Not-So-Gaudy Playoff Statistics:
Alex Rodriguez: .462, 7 RBI, 2 HR
Derek Jeter: .400, 3 RBI
Hideki Matsui: .333, 4 RBI, HR
Jorge Posada: .286, 2 RBI, HR
Melky Cabrera: .214
Mark Teixeira: .188, game-winning HR
Johnny Damon: .176
Robinson Cano: .133
Nick Swisher: .125
CC Sabathia: 1.23 ERA, 15 Ks, 14.2 IP
A.J. Burnett: 1.50 ERA, 6 Ks, 6.0 IP
Andy Pettitte: 1.42 ERA, 7 Ks, 6.1 IP
Mariano Rivera: 0.00 ERA, 8 Ks, 3.2 IP
Other Yankees Posts
10.14.2009
Yankees Playoff Schedule
The Yankees playoff schedule for the American League Championship Series has been unveiled:
Friday, October 16: L.A. Angels at Yankees 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Saturday, October 17: L.A. Angels at Yankees 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Monday, October 19: Yankees at L.A. Angels 4:13 p.m. (FOX)
Tuesday, October 20: Yankees at L.A. Angels 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Thursday, October 22: Yankees at L.A. Angels 7:57 p.m. (FOX)*
Saturday, October 24: L.A. Angels at Yankees 4:13 p.m. (FOX)*
Sunday, October 25: L.A. Angels at Yankees 8:20 p.m. (FOX)*
*only if needed
Friday, October 16: L.A. Angels at Yankees 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Saturday, October 17: L.A. Angels at Yankees 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Monday, October 19: Yankees at L.A. Angels 4:13 p.m. (FOX)
Tuesday, October 20: Yankees at L.A. Angels 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Thursday, October 22: Yankees at L.A. Angels 7:57 p.m. (FOX)*
Saturday, October 24: L.A. Angels at Yankees 4:13 p.m. (FOX)*
Sunday, October 25: L.A. Angels at Yankees 8:20 p.m. (FOX)*
*only if needed
10.07.2009
The New York way
2-0, third inning.
The Yankees are sinking, and sinking fast. CC Sabathia is breaking down in the playoffs once again; A-Rod won't be getting a hit tonight; Derek Jeter is too old for playoff heroics. The tired Twinsies have already gotten themselves on the board, and they're in for the long haul. Game over, sweep's up; Minnesota's in the American League Championship Series.
At about 6:30 tonight, that was the word on the street (especially at the Boston Globe sports desk, where I have the pleasure of watching tonight's game). Everyone was saying, "Wouldn't it be great if the Twins swept the Yankees? A-Rod's gonna choke again tonight."
Bite your tongue, kids, because it's the bottom of the eighth, and New York is up 7-2.
Old man Jeter is for 2-for-2, with a single to lead off the series and a two-run homer to even it up. Sabathia got over the two-run bump in the third and whiffed eight batters, going deep into the seventh inning. And Alex Not-In-The-Clutch Rodriguez is a crazy-.500 2-for-4 with two big runs batted in.
In fact, every Yankee batter except million-dollar-man Mark Texeira and phenom Robinson Cano have notched hits tonight. Phil Hughes, Phil Coke and Joba Chamberlain have combined to keep Minnesota off the board since.
Needless to say, reports of the Yankees' death are highly exaggerated.
Other Yankees Posts
The Yankees are sinking, and sinking fast. CC Sabathia is breaking down in the playoffs once again; A-Rod won't be getting a hit tonight; Derek Jeter is too old for playoff heroics. The tired Twinsies have already gotten themselves on the board, and they're in for the long haul. Game over, sweep's up; Minnesota's in the American League Championship Series.
At about 6:30 tonight, that was the word on the street (especially at the Boston Globe sports desk, where I have the pleasure of watching tonight's game). Everyone was saying, "Wouldn't it be great if the Twins swept the Yankees? A-Rod's gonna choke again tonight."
Bite your tongue, kids, because it's the bottom of the eighth, and New York is up 7-2.
Old man Jeter is for 2-for-2, with a single to lead off the series and a two-run homer to even it up. Sabathia got over the two-run bump in the third and whiffed eight batters, going deep into the seventh inning. And Alex Not-In-The-Clutch Rodriguez is a crazy-.500 2-for-4 with two big runs batted in.
In fact, every Yankee batter except million-dollar-man Mark Texeira and phenom Robinson Cano have notched hits tonight. Phil Hughes, Phil Coke and Joba Chamberlain have combined to keep Minnesota off the board since.
Needless to say, reports of the Yankees' death are highly exaggerated.
Other Yankees Posts
10.06.2009
Yankees-Twinsies, tomorrow at 6
The Yankees will play the Minnesota Twins Wednesday at 6:07 (on TBS) in the first game of the American League Championship Series. New York is expected to start CC Sabathia. The Red Sox play the Angels on Thursday.
9.28.2009
Oh well for taking it easy, Yankees
A day after clinching the American League East, winning their 100th game, and having their manager say they'll sit back for the next 10 days until the playoffs start, the Yankees came out and beat up on the Kansas City Royals, winning 8-2 on a rain-delayed night. Oh well for taking it easy.
Facing a team that had beat the Red Sox two games out of four last week (really, Boston?), New York got some nice input from Robinson Cano, who smashed a seventh-inning grand slam from the number-three spot to put the game away for the Yankees.
Cano is hitting .322 this season, his second-best batting average in the bigs, and has surpassed 200 hits this year for the first time in his career.
New York's blowout win came on a night when most of the starters were resting, and fifth pitcher/bullpen man Chad Gaudin was throwing. (Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Jorge Posada were the only starters in the game.)
Meanwhile, the Red Sox (considered by most to already be in the American League Championship Series, which they will only do if they beat the powerhouse Angels, after actually making it to the playoffs...which still requires two wins in the next six games) lost a nasty 8-5 tilt to the Blue Jays tonight.
Other Yankees Posts
Facing a team that had beat the Red Sox two games out of four last week (really, Boston?), New York got some nice input from Robinson Cano, who smashed a seventh-inning grand slam from the number-three spot to put the game away for the Yankees.
Cano is hitting .322 this season, his second-best batting average in the bigs, and has surpassed 200 hits this year for the first time in his career.
New York's blowout win came on a night when most of the starters were resting, and fifth pitcher/bullpen man Chad Gaudin was throwing. (Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Jorge Posada were the only starters in the game.)
Meanwhile, the Red Sox (considered by most to already be in the American League Championship Series, which they will only do if they beat the powerhouse Angels, after actually making it to the playoffs...which still requires two wins in the next six games) lost a nasty 8-5 tilt to the Blue Jays tonight.
Other Yankees Posts
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