Showing posts with label andy pettitte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label andy pettitte. Show all posts
10.03.2012
Andy Pettitte
Any Christian or Yankees fan is a huge supporter of pitcher Andy Pettitte, who has been a class act for New York while carrying Christ into the world of Major League Baseball. I interviewed him the last time the Yankees were in Boston. Read the story here.
11.04.2009
It's time
Just before the seventh, and FOX is showing great World Series moments. The ball dribbles through Bill Buckner's legs, and a laugh bursts out of my mouth as I move past the TV.
Problem is, I'm at the Boston Globe. And for those of you short on baseball history, that error was one of the worst moments in Boston Red Sox history, a play where the Sox had it all wrapped up until Buckner prolonged the 86-year curse.
The Sox have been done playing for a while now, of course. Worse yet, their archnemesis, New York, is leading the World Series three games to two.
I am forced to watch at the Boston Globe, where every laugh at Buckner gets a dirty look, and every Hideki Matsui RBI gets a groan.
Ah, yes, Matsui. That's where this story begins, right? The story of Game 6 and Championship #27.
The great storyline going into the game, of course, was that this contest offered a matchup between two players deep within Yankees-Red Sox lore. New York brought Andy Pettitte, who holds the record for most postseason games with 19. He's won four championships and was the pitcher who clinched the American League Division Series and American League Championship for the Yankees this year.
On the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies was Pedro Martinez, the same Pedro who slew the Yankees en route to the 2004 championship by the Sox. Martinez is best known for admitting, before he had learned how to get past New York, that the Yankees were his "daddy."
So they there were, the great Yankees-killer versus the great Yankees playoff pitcher, ready for a duel that made even New York fans who were sick over the series stretching to six games pleased as the great matchup.
Martinez buzzed through the first inning, as did Pettitte, then Martinez opened up the second frame with a leadoff walk. (You have to wonder who Pedro's Little League coach was, and if he spoke enough Spanish to teach little Pedro to never walk the leadoff man.)
Alex Rodriguez trotted to first, and the Matsui show began. Matsui battled Pedro in an eight-pitch battle that saw Godzilla (Matsui's nickname in his native Japan) hit a few Japanese home runs, towering blasts landing in the right-field seats that would once have been counted as homers in Japanese baseball.
Finally, Matsui straightened one out and went just as deep, and five batters into the game, the Yankees were ahead 2-1.
It was a lead New York would never relinquish.
Pettitte, although pitching on merelythree days of rest, looked decent early, humming through the Phillies lineup. He allowed a triple (that could have been a double if not for a strange bounce), then the runner scored on a sacrifice fly.
Pedro, on the other hand, hit some more trouble in the very next inning. Derek Jeter hit a one-out single, then Martinez walked Johnny Damon after a seven-pitch at-bat. Next up was Mark Teixeira, who has had a measley two hits this World Series and would probably be more comfortable hiding in a locker. But Pedro bailed him out, plunking him to load the bases.
Rodriguez stepped to the plate with another chance to continue writing his magical playoff story, but Pedro struck him out.
Next up: Matsui. The Yankees already led 2-1, with the designated hitter having done his job. Matsui seemed eager, though, to make up for time lost in Philadelphia, where he rode the pine for three games (with no DH).
Matsui ripped a beautiful RBI single up the middle with two outs and the bases loaded, boosting New York's margin to 4-1.
By the time the fifth came around, Pedro was gone, chased after just four innings. The vaunted pitching matchup had fallen to Japanese pressure, and the bats would now decide the game.
Jeter came out with no care for who was on the mound, lacing a leadoff double to keep the Phillies on their heels. After Jeter was sacrificed over to third, Teixeira finally came through, singling Jeter home to put the Yankees up 5-1. It was the only RBI the Yankees would get that wasn't by Matsui.
Yes, Matsui again. After A-Rod got plunked one more time (the fourth time this series), Matsui the Phillies-killer did as he knew best, doubling the runners home for a 7-1 New York lead.
Apparently, after being rested for three games, Matsui thought he'd compensate with three games' worth of stats in one amazing evening.
Matsui's 6 RBI tied a record for the most RBI in a World Series game.
In the top half of the innings, by the way, Pettitte was still mowing them down, pitching a nearly flawless game. He allowed just two hits through five innings, which is just what the Yankees needed after their poor pitching destroyed their six-run effort the night before.
As Pettitte moved into the sixth, the camera cut to the bullpen, capturing a shot of someone tossing a ball at Joba Chamberlain, who totally missed it and saw it fly by his head.
Stomach ulcers, commence. Yankees fans are already nervous enough about ever having to use the bullpen (especially Chamberlain), so that's the last thing we want to see.
Pettitte gave up a walk, a two-run homer, and a double, and it was time to summon Chamberlain. The real test began. But surprisingly, Chamberlain got his outs.
In the top of the seventh, Chase Utley came to the plate with two guys on, with the chance to pull the Phils within one with one swing. But the man who has foiled the Yankees so far this Series, who even dared to tie Mr. October Reggie Jackson's home record, was struck out by Damaso Marte.
It was then that you realized that it was time. This could be it. It could really be happening.
Rodriguez came to the plate, and the Phillies threw at his head again. But what were they doing? Getting A-Rod uncomfortable seemed to be Philadelphia's last, desperate ploy to keep some kind of hold on the Series.
But the Yankees have been winning with just moderate production from A-Rod. And the pitching showed up tonight. And they were holding fast; no meltdowns, no worries, nothing.
Phillies MVP Ryan Howard came to the plate and struck out again, the 13th time this series (that's a record). People say that if you're a power hitter, you're going to strike out a lot as well as hit home runs. Well, Howard has hit one home run and struck out 13 times. Yeah, I think New York has this one.
Enter Sandman. Five outs, game over. Did this just happen?
The New York Yankees are world champions. !!!!!
The New York Yankees are world champions!
The New York Yankees are world champions!
The New York Yankees are world champions!
Other Yankees Posts
Game Recap
Problem is, I'm at the Boston Globe. And for those of you short on baseball history, that error was one of the worst moments in Boston Red Sox history, a play where the Sox had it all wrapped up until Buckner prolonged the 86-year curse.
The Sox have been done playing for a while now, of course. Worse yet, their archnemesis, New York, is leading the World Series three games to two.
I am forced to watch at the Boston Globe, where every laugh at Buckner gets a dirty look, and every Hideki Matsui RBI gets a groan.
Ah, yes, Matsui. That's where this story begins, right? The story of Game 6 and Championship #27.
The great storyline going into the game, of course, was that this contest offered a matchup between two players deep within Yankees-Red Sox lore. New York brought Andy Pettitte, who holds the record for most postseason games with 19. He's won four championships and was the pitcher who clinched the American League Division Series and American League Championship for the Yankees this year.
On the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies was Pedro Martinez, the same Pedro who slew the Yankees en route to the 2004 championship by the Sox. Martinez is best known for admitting, before he had learned how to get past New York, that the Yankees were his "daddy."
So they there were, the great Yankees-killer versus the great Yankees playoff pitcher, ready for a duel that made even New York fans who were sick over the series stretching to six games pleased as the great matchup.
Martinez buzzed through the first inning, as did Pettitte, then Martinez opened up the second frame with a leadoff walk. (You have to wonder who Pedro's Little League coach was, and if he spoke enough Spanish to teach little Pedro to never walk the leadoff man.)
Alex Rodriguez trotted to first, and the Matsui show began. Matsui battled Pedro in an eight-pitch battle that saw Godzilla (Matsui's nickname in his native Japan) hit a few Japanese home runs, towering blasts landing in the right-field seats that would once have been counted as homers in Japanese baseball.
Finally, Matsui straightened one out and went just as deep, and five batters into the game, the Yankees were ahead 2-1.
It was a lead New York would never relinquish.
Pettitte, although pitching on merelythree days of rest, looked decent early, humming through the Phillies lineup. He allowed a triple (that could have been a double if not for a strange bounce), then the runner scored on a sacrifice fly.
Pedro, on the other hand, hit some more trouble in the very next inning. Derek Jeter hit a one-out single, then Martinez walked Johnny Damon after a seven-pitch at-bat. Next up was Mark Teixeira, who has had a measley two hits this World Series and would probably be more comfortable hiding in a locker. But Pedro bailed him out, plunking him to load the bases.
Rodriguez stepped to the plate with another chance to continue writing his magical playoff story, but Pedro struck him out.
Next up: Matsui. The Yankees already led 2-1, with the designated hitter having done his job. Matsui seemed eager, though, to make up for time lost in Philadelphia, where he rode the pine for three games (with no DH).
Matsui ripped a beautiful RBI single up the middle with two outs and the bases loaded, boosting New York's margin to 4-1.
By the time the fifth came around, Pedro was gone, chased after just four innings. The vaunted pitching matchup had fallen to Japanese pressure, and the bats would now decide the game.
Jeter came out with no care for who was on the mound, lacing a leadoff double to keep the Phillies on their heels. After Jeter was sacrificed over to third, Teixeira finally came through, singling Jeter home to put the Yankees up 5-1. It was the only RBI the Yankees would get that wasn't by Matsui.
Yes, Matsui again. After A-Rod got plunked one more time (the fourth time this series), Matsui the Phillies-killer did as he knew best, doubling the runners home for a 7-1 New York lead.
Apparently, after being rested for three games, Matsui thought he'd compensate with three games' worth of stats in one amazing evening.
Matsui's 6 RBI tied a record for the most RBI in a World Series game.
In the top half of the innings, by the way, Pettitte was still mowing them down, pitching a nearly flawless game. He allowed just two hits through five innings, which is just what the Yankees needed after their poor pitching destroyed their six-run effort the night before.
As Pettitte moved into the sixth, the camera cut to the bullpen, capturing a shot of someone tossing a ball at Joba Chamberlain, who totally missed it and saw it fly by his head.
Stomach ulcers, commence. Yankees fans are already nervous enough about ever having to use the bullpen (especially Chamberlain), so that's the last thing we want to see.
Pettitte gave up a walk, a two-run homer, and a double, and it was time to summon Chamberlain. The real test began. But surprisingly, Chamberlain got his outs.
In the top of the seventh, Chase Utley came to the plate with two guys on, with the chance to pull the Phils within one with one swing. But the man who has foiled the Yankees so far this Series, who even dared to tie Mr. October Reggie Jackson's home record, was struck out by Damaso Marte.
It was then that you realized that it was time. This could be it. It could really be happening.
Rodriguez came to the plate, and the Phillies threw at his head again. But what were they doing? Getting A-Rod uncomfortable seemed to be Philadelphia's last, desperate ploy to keep some kind of hold on the Series.
But the Yankees have been winning with just moderate production from A-Rod. And the pitching showed up tonight. And they were holding fast; no meltdowns, no worries, nothing.
Phillies MVP Ryan Howard came to the plate and struck out again, the 13th time this series (that's a record). People say that if you're a power hitter, you're going to strike out a lot as well as hit home runs. Well, Howard has hit one home run and struck out 13 times. Yeah, I think New York has this one.
Enter Sandman. Five outs, game over. Did this just happen?
The New York Yankees are world champions. !!!!!
The New York Yankees are world champions!
The New York Yankees are world champions!
The New York Yankees are world champions!
Other Yankees Posts
Game Recap
10.27.2009
World Series preview
I'm not sure I have the attention span for a full-fledged World Series preview, so I'm going to post bits and pieces as I think of them.
My #1 concern going into the series: the Yankees' bats and bullpen.
Let's start with the bullpen. I trust CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera completely, but I haven't been impressed with the bullpen this postseason. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes should no longer be treated the way they were in the regular season, when they could be lights out. Instead, the few guys who have shown they can hold the seventh and eighth down should be called upon in the next four to seven games.
Some of this has to do with Joe Girardi's decision-making, but more of it has to do with some of these guys just not having it right now. I don't know if it's them being figured out after a long season or the jitters of the playoffs, but the bullpen's going to have to be stronger in the World Series.
Don't get me started on A.J. Burnett.
My other worry is the Yankees' batting woes. While slumpers Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher did come around (no pun intended) this last game, the Yankees' lineup from top to bottom has been horrid in the last two playoff series. Without Alex Rodriguez, timely hits by Derek Jeter, and the random hit every once in a while by everyone else, the Yankees could have easily been shut out.
Some guys have had bad luck, lining out or missing the gaps, but others have been horrid. Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, and Swisher have been the worst. Teixeira and Johnny Damon have been half and half. Jorge Posada has been hitting, but his getting on base is rarely rewarded. Melky Cabrera has held his own.
With only three or four consistent hitters, the Yankees are waiting to be feasted upon.
The good news is that this last game provided some great momentum. Most of the guys got a hit, and hopefully a little rest and refocusing can get the bats going again. As long as they're hitting the ball well, they won't have to rely on flukish errors and flubs by the other team to make the difference in tight games.
Other Yankees Posts
My #1 concern going into the series: the Yankees' bats and bullpen.
Let's start with the bullpen. I trust CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera completely, but I haven't been impressed with the bullpen this postseason. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes should no longer be treated the way they were in the regular season, when they could be lights out. Instead, the few guys who have shown they can hold the seventh and eighth down should be called upon in the next four to seven games.
Some of this has to do with Joe Girardi's decision-making, but more of it has to do with some of these guys just not having it right now. I don't know if it's them being figured out after a long season or the jitters of the playoffs, but the bullpen's going to have to be stronger in the World Series.
Don't get me started on A.J. Burnett.
My other worry is the Yankees' batting woes. While slumpers Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher did come around (no pun intended) this last game, the Yankees' lineup from top to bottom has been horrid in the last two playoff series. Without Alex Rodriguez, timely hits by Derek Jeter, and the random hit every once in a while by everyone else, the Yankees could have easily been shut out.
Some guys have had bad luck, lining out or missing the gaps, but others have been horrid. Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, and Swisher have been the worst. Teixeira and Johnny Damon have been half and half. Jorge Posada has been hitting, but his getting on base is rarely rewarded. Melky Cabrera has held his own.
With only three or four consistent hitters, the Yankees are waiting to be feasted upon.
The good news is that this last game provided some great momentum. Most of the guys got a hit, and hopefully a little rest and refocusing can get the bats going again. As long as they're hitting the ball well, they won't have to rely on flukish errors and flubs by the other team to make the difference in tight games.
Other Yankees Posts
10.26.2009
Unroll the bunting
When the Yankees missed the playoffs last season, I put a "World Series 2009!" banner on the top of my Web page for the team. Well, it's 2009, and they've done their part.
The Yankees are in the World Series for the 40th time.
Tonight's 5-2 win was another classic Andy Pettitte-Mariano Rivera combination, with Pettitte winning a postseason-record 16th game and Rivera grabbing his 37th playoff save.
Pettitte was sharp all night, going 6.1 innings and allowing just one run while striking out six. Mo let a run through in the eighth but pitched two full innings, striking out the final batter to send the Yankees into November.
Despite holding the record for wins in the postseason, Pettitte had yet to beat the Angels until tonight (he was 0-4). He defers the compliments and says he's just surrounded by good guys, but tonight he showed that's just not true; he's a playoff master as much as Rivera.
The Yankees didn't break through until the fourth inning tonight after three straight innings (and several games, for that matter) of leaving men on base. In the first, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez both hit singles but were left stranded. In the second, it was Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera, plus a Derek Jeter walk, but Johnny Damon couldn't come through. In the third, Rodriguez walked, but no runs.
In the fourth, a Cano walk and Nick Swisher single, with the men advanced to second and third on a Cabrera sacrifice, set the stage for Los Angeles to unravel. It began when Jeter fouled a ball off near the right field seats that Angels first baseman Kendry Morales pulled up on and didn't make an attempt to dive to catch (a "Jeter," if you will). Jeter ended up with a free pass to first a few pitches later, and Damon came to the plate to avenge himself.
After going 0-for-4 with the bases loaded in the postseason, Damon slapped a two-run-scoring single, putting the Yankees ahead.
Angels starter Joe Saunders had been looking shaky already, one-hopping some pitches to the plate, and he walked Teixeira next to load the bags.
The crowd was pensive, nervous, standing without much motion as memories of recent Yankee collapses surely streamed through their heads.
The new October hero, Rodriguez, came to the plate, and after a hard cut on a foul ball, Saunders was the one looking nervous, walking A-Rod to score a run and put the Yankees up 3-1. Rodriguez ended the night with three walks.
The small-ball hitting was the theme of the night, as Yankee Stadium went without a homer for the second time this postseason after just one day without a home run during the regular season.
When the seventh inning rolled around, though, the worrying could reconvene as New York turned to its bullpen, which has had its issues lately. But Joba Chamberlain pulled through for his two outs, and Rivera was summoned to put the Angels away (but not before a little teasing and making it a nail-biter by letting the Angels come within a run at 3-2).
The Yankees came out ready in the bottom of the eighth, not content to be ahead by just one. After getting a man on first, Swisher showed he is actually good for something this season, putting down an excellent bunt then legging it out to force an error at first and put men on first and second with no outs.
Another beautiful Cabrera bunt looked to advance the runners, but the same Yankees that were in the Angels' heads for most of the series were there again tonight. Scott Kazmir, who was already questionably in the game after being the losing pitcher in the game 4 Yankees blowout, made a huge error. His lob to first flew way over the leaping first baseman's head, letting a Yankee run score and preserving another out.
Kazmir tried to make up for his gaffe with the next batter, firing to first to get Jeter on a groundout, but the damage was done.
By now, the Yankees knew. A-Rod was smelling it, sitting perky in the dugout. He had carried the team so far and no longer cared about his October monkeys; he wanted the World Series.
Jeter stood, holding back a grin. He was relishing the new Yankee Stadium, full of screaming fans and perfect color, with the Angels on the ropes. There's no way the game was tense for him; he knew they had it.
A Teixeira sacrifice fly had the Yankees taking the field for the top of the ninth up 5-2.
This was how they wanted it: at home, in front of this crowd, with this kind of domination, with this momentum going into a matchup with the defending champions.
A few pitches later, they had it. It was all over but the champagne.
CC Sabathia, who is almost certainly starting Wednesday's World Series opener, was named the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player, despite Rodriguez batting .438 with five home runs and 11 RBI, and all his game-tying or game-winning heroics.
But the A-Rod that has cared about quality, not image, all season, was at Yankee Stadium again tonight. When he jumped in celebration after Mo struck out the final batter, his gum flopped out of his supermodel mouth, ruining the splendid image that should be A-Rod.
He jumped into a hug with Jeter and Teixeira, just one of the guys.
One of the guys going to the World Series.
Other Yankees Posts
The Yankees are in the World Series for the 40th time.
Tonight's 5-2 win was another classic Andy Pettitte-Mariano Rivera combination, with Pettitte winning a postseason-record 16th game and Rivera grabbing his 37th playoff save.
Pettitte was sharp all night, going 6.1 innings and allowing just one run while striking out six. Mo let a run through in the eighth but pitched two full innings, striking out the final batter to send the Yankees into November.
Despite holding the record for wins in the postseason, Pettitte had yet to beat the Angels until tonight (he was 0-4). He defers the compliments and says he's just surrounded by good guys, but tonight he showed that's just not true; he's a playoff master as much as Rivera.
The Yankees didn't break through until the fourth inning tonight after three straight innings (and several games, for that matter) of leaving men on base. In the first, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez both hit singles but were left stranded. In the second, it was Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera, plus a Derek Jeter walk, but Johnny Damon couldn't come through. In the third, Rodriguez walked, but no runs.
In the fourth, a Cano walk and Nick Swisher single, with the men advanced to second and third on a Cabrera sacrifice, set the stage for Los Angeles to unravel. It began when Jeter fouled a ball off near the right field seats that Angels first baseman Kendry Morales pulled up on and didn't make an attempt to dive to catch (a "Jeter," if you will). Jeter ended up with a free pass to first a few pitches later, and Damon came to the plate to avenge himself.
After going 0-for-4 with the bases loaded in the postseason, Damon slapped a two-run-scoring single, putting the Yankees ahead.
Angels starter Joe Saunders had been looking shaky already, one-hopping some pitches to the plate, and he walked Teixeira next to load the bags.
The crowd was pensive, nervous, standing without much motion as memories of recent Yankee collapses surely streamed through their heads.
The new October hero, Rodriguez, came to the plate, and after a hard cut on a foul ball, Saunders was the one looking nervous, walking A-Rod to score a run and put the Yankees up 3-1. Rodriguez ended the night with three walks.
The small-ball hitting was the theme of the night, as Yankee Stadium went without a homer for the second time this postseason after just one day without a home run during the regular season.
When the seventh inning rolled around, though, the worrying could reconvene as New York turned to its bullpen, which has had its issues lately. But Joba Chamberlain pulled through for his two outs, and Rivera was summoned to put the Angels away (but not before a little teasing and making it a nail-biter by letting the Angels come within a run at 3-2).
The Yankees came out ready in the bottom of the eighth, not content to be ahead by just one. After getting a man on first, Swisher showed he is actually good for something this season, putting down an excellent bunt then legging it out to force an error at first and put men on first and second with no outs.
Another beautiful Cabrera bunt looked to advance the runners, but the same Yankees that were in the Angels' heads for most of the series were there again tonight. Scott Kazmir, who was already questionably in the game after being the losing pitcher in the game 4 Yankees blowout, made a huge error. His lob to first flew way over the leaping first baseman's head, letting a Yankee run score and preserving another out.
Kazmir tried to make up for his gaffe with the next batter, firing to first to get Jeter on a groundout, but the damage was done.
By now, the Yankees knew. A-Rod was smelling it, sitting perky in the dugout. He had carried the team so far and no longer cared about his October monkeys; he wanted the World Series.
Jeter stood, holding back a grin. He was relishing the new Yankee Stadium, full of screaming fans and perfect color, with the Angels on the ropes. There's no way the game was tense for him; he knew they had it.
A Teixeira sacrifice fly had the Yankees taking the field for the top of the ninth up 5-2.
This was how they wanted it: at home, in front of this crowd, with this kind of domination, with this momentum going into a matchup with the defending champions.
A few pitches later, they had it. It was all over but the champagne.
CC Sabathia, who is almost certainly starting Wednesday's World Series opener, was named the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player, despite Rodriguez batting .438 with five home runs and 11 RBI, and all his game-tying or game-winning heroics.
But the A-Rod that has cared about quality, not image, all season, was at Yankee Stadium again tonight. When he jumped in celebration after Mo struck out the final batter, his gum flopped out of his supermodel mouth, ruining the splendid image that should be A-Rod.
He jumped into a hug with Jeter and Teixeira, just one of the guys.
One of the guys going to the World Series.
Other Yankees Posts
10.09.2009
Tex time
I've detailed the Yankees heroics up to the 10th inning, but it's what happened in the last two frames that decided the game, of course.Mark Teixeira hit the world's shortest walkoff home run, chipping a ball off the left field fence, to send the Yankees to a 4-3 win in the bottom of the 11th.
It was New York's 14th walkoff win of the year (several of which have been over the poor Twins), and A.J. Burnett rewarded it with another pie to the face.
(Burnett was actually the starting pitching tonight, too, in a great performance that disspelled questions about his recent performance. So it's nice that the pie-dishing was not his only exercise for the day.)
The after-game interview was so beautiful. Sure, everyone talks about team and blah blah, but to see A-Rod grinning from ear-to-ear and just loving that his team won was fantastic.
It almost didn't happen, of course. In the top of the 11th, the New York bullpen almost let it get away before some gutsy pitching worked the pinstripes out of a no-out, bases-loaded jam. After nabbing two Twinsies on first-pitch outs, Almost-the-Goat-Gardner snared a fly to give Teixeira his rip at tying the game.
Gardner? A goat? Yes, yes.
The fleet-footed center fielder came in the game in the bottom of the 10th after Jorge Posada showed his postseason magic with a broken-bat single to center.
(Underlying storyline: Posada had been left out of his starting pitcher role when manager Joe Girardi turned to Jose Molina instead since A.J. Burnett had pitched better when in tandem with him throughout the season. Posada was, of course, upset, especially since the not-getting-younger veteran has been working so hard to get back to the playoffs, not to mention working hard to be able to play at all. But Posada was able to be in just the position he wanted (a major contributor to the game) when he came in two-thirds of the way through the contest after Burnett was done. In the bottom of the 10th, with the game on the line, he got his postseason pressure chance and did exactly what he had to do.)
The commentator said Gardner had been running sprints in the batting cages under Yankee Stadium, but the way he moves, he probably didn't need a warmup. He took off during Derek Jeter's at-bat and easily made it to second, long ahead of an off-the-mark throw. Then, when Minnesota's star closer, Joe Nathan, inexplicably tried to hold him on second (yes, second), Gardner took third (but not before falling in his butt en route, which drew a grimace from Jeter, who was watching from the batter's box).It looked like that was it. Nathan's gaffe would decide the game, since Gardner was now on third with just one out.
Jeter was intentionally walked, and the reliable Johnny Damon came up, but then the stupidity came out.
The third base coach had Gardner running on contact, which wouldn't have been an issue except that Damon hit a pitch hard, in the air, that was snared for an out. A quick toss later, and the inning was over, with Gardner caught off the bag.
Who knows who made the decision to send Gardner, but it obviously was a very bad one.
Now, instead of the Yankees winning or at least still having a runner in scoring position, it was the 11th inning. That prospect looked even worse a few pitches later, when Minnesota loaded it with no outs.
But the Yankees came through, and in beautiful, Yankees-2009 fashion. Strong defense in the diamond, a good starting pitching effort, quality relief, timely hitting, and a couple bombs.
So good.
The only Yankees with more than a hit were Teixeira (RBI) and Rodriguez (3 RBI). Jeter, Robinson Cano and Posada each had the other hits.
Burnett worked six innings and struck out six while allowing only three hits and one run. Mariano Rivera had three strikeouts over his four outs, and Phil Hughes was let off the hook despite allowing two earned runs that put the Twins ahead.
The Yankees left nine men on base throughout the night, but that was nothing compared to the Twins, who stranded 26.
It's to the MetroDome for the third game. Andy Pettitte will throw for New York.
Other Yankees Posts
Above: After Alex Rodriguez hit his game-tying, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, he simply turned to the home dugout and pumped his fist. He knew.
9.27.2009
100, baby!
100 wins, the division, and a downing of the Red Sox, all in one day!
The classic Andy Pettitte-Mariano Rivera combo did it again today, with Pettitte showing he hasn't lost his edge (6 innings, 2 earned runs, 4 Ks) and Mo cleaning up in the ninth (44th).
The Yankees have six games left this season, during which they'll be able to tweak their lineup and rotation for the playoffs, which will start either October 7 or 8 for them.
Notables:
Derek Jeter went 2-for-4 today, going after several first pitches and raising his batting average to .333 for the season.
Mark Teixeira went 2-for-4 with a home run. His batting average has slowly risen to .294, and he has a chance to break .300 this season after spending the early months under the Mendoza Line. Teixeira also notched his 38th homer and 120th RBI today, on pace for his best MLB totals, save his 2005 season with Texas.
Nick Swisher, who was 1-for-3 with a double today, has hit 27 home runs this season in 481 at-bats. His career-high, 35, was during a season when he had 556 at-bats. Not bad for a bench-warmer.
Other Yankees Posts
The classic Andy Pettitte-Mariano Rivera combo did it again today, with Pettitte showing he hasn't lost his edge (6 innings, 2 earned runs, 4 Ks) and Mo cleaning up in the ninth (44th).
The Yankees have six games left this season, during which they'll be able to tweak their lineup and rotation for the playoffs, which will start either October 7 or 8 for them.
Notables:
Derek Jeter went 2-for-4 today, going after several first pitches and raising his batting average to .333 for the season.
Mark Teixeira went 2-for-4 with a home run. His batting average has slowly risen to .294, and he has a chance to break .300 this season after spending the early months under the Mendoza Line. Teixeira also notched his 38th homer and 120th RBI today, on pace for his best MLB totals, save his 2005 season with Texas.
Nick Swisher, who was 1-for-3 with a double today, has hit 27 home runs this season in 481 at-bats. His career-high, 35, was during a season when he had 556 at-bats. Not bad for a bench-warmer.
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9.15.2009
Stinkin' Yankees
Well, it's a good thing the Yankees won't be facing the Baltimore Orioles or the Toronto Blue Jays in the playoffs, because New York has been horrible against them lately. (New York is currently losing to Toronto 9-2.)
As the last two weeks until the end of the season trickle by (with most of the playoff berths tied up in both leagues), many teams are trying to conserve talent and rest players. That could really hurt the Yankees, though. They need to keep plugging, keep hitting, keep pitching...especially with all the lackluster playoff performances they've had lately.
In the tiny series that are the first round of the playoffs, even a great team can get sent home with a couple bad games. And considering the crap that A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain have been tossing off the mound lately (actually, Chamberlain would be throwing crap, but he hardly stays in long enough to throw anything), it's looking scary. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte can't handle it all, and they've been shaky plenty of times this season, too (although Sabathia is a real September-October workhorse).
The good news is, the Yankees bullpen is great, and those pitchers have able to keep their arms fresh as the bum half of the pen has taken care of these last few games.
The return of Brett Gardner to the lineup has also given New York a little spark, and the spate of young players that showed up with the September expansion of the rosters has also been a good test of the Yankees' wide range of weapons.
But really, Yankees? Losing to the Blue Jays? And by half a dozen? That's got to stop.
Roy Halladay, a usual Yankees foil, was pitching for Toronto today. That means that as good as the Yankees are this year, they're still not drop-dead amazing enough to dethrone players who usually give them fits, such as the entire rosters of Red Sox and the Angels and even Detroit's Justin Verlander (a probably first-round foe). Not a good sign.
These next few games will be a good test to see whether New York is going to keep its foot on the gas, or whether the Yankees are letting off just in time for the most important games of the season.
Other Yankees Posts
As the last two weeks until the end of the season trickle by (with most of the playoff berths tied up in both leagues), many teams are trying to conserve talent and rest players. That could really hurt the Yankees, though. They need to keep plugging, keep hitting, keep pitching...especially with all the lackluster playoff performances they've had lately.
In the tiny series that are the first round of the playoffs, even a great team can get sent home with a couple bad games. And considering the crap that A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain have been tossing off the mound lately (actually, Chamberlain would be throwing crap, but he hardly stays in long enough to throw anything), it's looking scary. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte can't handle it all, and they've been shaky plenty of times this season, too (although Sabathia is a real September-October workhorse).
The good news is, the Yankees bullpen is great, and those pitchers have able to keep their arms fresh as the bum half of the pen has taken care of these last few games.
The return of Brett Gardner to the lineup has also given New York a little spark, and the spate of young players that showed up with the September expansion of the rosters has also been a good test of the Yankees' wide range of weapons.
But really, Yankees? Losing to the Blue Jays? And by half a dozen? That's got to stop.
Roy Halladay, a usual Yankees foil, was pitching for Toronto today. That means that as good as the Yankees are this year, they're still not drop-dead amazing enough to dethrone players who usually give them fits, such as the entire rosters of Red Sox and the Angels and even Detroit's Justin Verlander (a probably first-round foe). Not a good sign.
These next few games will be a good test to see whether New York is going to keep its foot on the gas, or whether the Yankees are letting off just in time for the most important games of the season.
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8.26.2009
Payback
UPDATE: It's a win for the Yankees, in a game that saw Paul McCartney, Lorne Michaels and Jack Nicholson in the front row. Rats. I should have been there.
The Yankees are getting payback at Yankee Stadium, leading the Texas Rangers 9-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
As I write, A-Rod is at the plate with no outs, and New York has scored five runs in the frame.
It's just the kind of game Andy Pettitte needed to get back on track. After starting the season as New York's most reliable pitcher, he went through a dry spell then a spate of bad luck, watching his ERA shoot up and gathering a wad of no-decisions. (The Yankees' recent 20-11 win over the Red Sox was marred by Pettitte pitching a gem until a 38-minute inning by the Yankees batters that threw the lefty off his mark when he came back out to pitch again.)
Tonight, he's allowed only two runs and pitched a full seven innings, striking out seven.
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The Yankees are getting payback at Yankee Stadium, leading the Texas Rangers 9-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
As I write, A-Rod is at the plate with no outs, and New York has scored five runs in the frame.
It's just the kind of game Andy Pettitte needed to get back on track. After starting the season as New York's most reliable pitcher, he went through a dry spell then a spate of bad luck, watching his ERA shoot up and gathering a wad of no-decisions. (The Yankees' recent 20-11 win over the Red Sox was marred by Pettitte pitching a gem until a 38-minute inning by the Yankees batters that threw the lefty off his mark when he came back out to pitch again.)
Tonight, he's allowed only two runs and pitched a full seven innings, striking out seven.
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8.21.2009
Bombs.
I'm not sure how to explain this game. Its tone kept changing, and things weren't always how the score appeared.
On one side, the Yankees scored a whopping 20 runs. Then their bullpen couldn't shut the door, and the Red Sox scored 11. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, Andy Pettitte pitched a gem, only to be thrown off his groove by a 38-minute inning where he watched his team score six runs. He ended up being tagged for five earned runs but still won the game. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, poor Michael Bowden allowed seven runs to score and was left in the game for two full innings while the Sox bullpen rested its arms. New York still won by nine, though. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees scored 20 runs. But they left 19 men on base. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees had eight doubles from seven players, and everyone got a hit, minus Johnny Damon (injured several pitches into the game) and pinch hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. (walked). But on the other, the Red Sox were able to score 11 runs on 12 hits.
So, it wasn't as lopsided as it looked; this game was confusing throughout.
The Red Sox came in with a seven-game win streak at Fenway, and they looked like a team ready to go after sweeping the Blue Jays. The first inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases, appeared to be nothing more than a fluke (Alex Rodriguez's single was barely a hit). Boston then countered with a Jacoby Ellsbury run, and it looked like a classic Boston out-last-'em type of game.
But really, it turned out it was Boston that was flukish. The Yankees exploded in the top of the second, and Pettitte didn't allow a hit until the last play of the third inning.
[Derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: As the fourth inning started, with zero outs, and Sox starter Brad Penny having finally gone one inning without allowing a run, they said, "Penny has settled down." He was chased early in the fifth.]
Another fluke of the night (or maybe not) was Hideki Matsui showing up to record seven RBI on two homers. I guess that's why he's the New York designated hitter.
[Another derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: Commenting on the Sox finally getting some hits, they said, "They'll scratch and claw their way back into the game with two runs in the fifth." The score at this point was 12-3 Yankees. Granted, Boston did edge closer (if keeping the game within nine runs constitutes "closer"), but really, NESN?]
A-Rod almost hit for the cycle tonight, if not for his plunking the ball off the top of the Green Monster instead of going over it, and for trying to stretch a single and getting tagged out at second. He was breaking up a slump, as were Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano (details with the game recap here).
And finally, Brian Bruney just hasn't been good since he came back from injury. He escaped without an earned run tonight but isn't lights-out anymore.
This 20-run thing is unusual for the Yankees, despite what detractors may say. It's the first time this season they went over 15 runs (which they did once), and their previous high to that was 11 a few times. See their full game results here.
In New York's last four-game sweep of Boston, the first game was a slugfest before the beautiful pitching showed up. With A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett filling out the next two days, that trend may repeat.
The Yankees (77-45) still have the best record in baseball.
Quick lines from tonight:
Hideki Matsui: 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2-for-6
Mark Teixeira: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
Alex Rodriguez: 4-for-4, RBI, triple
Melky Cabrera: 4-for-6, 2 RBI
Derek Jeter: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
Jorge Posada: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Eric Hinske: 2-for-4, RBI
Nick Swisher: 2-for-6, RBI
Robinson Cano: 1-for-6, RBI
Andy Pettitte: 10th win of the season
Other Yankees Posts
On one side, the Yankees scored a whopping 20 runs. Then their bullpen couldn't shut the door, and the Red Sox scored 11. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, Andy Pettitte pitched a gem, only to be thrown off his groove by a 38-minute inning where he watched his team score six runs. He ended up being tagged for five earned runs but still won the game. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, poor Michael Bowden allowed seven runs to score and was left in the game for two full innings while the Sox bullpen rested its arms. New York still won by nine, though. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees scored 20 runs. But they left 19 men on base. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees had eight doubles from seven players, and everyone got a hit, minus Johnny Damon (injured several pitches into the game) and pinch hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. (walked). But on the other, the Red Sox were able to score 11 runs on 12 hits.
So, it wasn't as lopsided as it looked; this game was confusing throughout.
The Red Sox came in with a seven-game win streak at Fenway, and they looked like a team ready to go after sweeping the Blue Jays. The first inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases, appeared to be nothing more than a fluke (Alex Rodriguez's single was barely a hit). Boston then countered with a Jacoby Ellsbury run, and it looked like a classic Boston out-last-'em type of game.
But really, it turned out it was Boston that was flukish. The Yankees exploded in the top of the second, and Pettitte didn't allow a hit until the last play of the third inning.
[Derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: As the fourth inning started, with zero outs, and Sox starter Brad Penny having finally gone one inning without allowing a run, they said, "Penny has settled down." He was chased early in the fifth.]
Another fluke of the night (or maybe not) was Hideki Matsui showing up to record seven RBI on two homers. I guess that's why he's the New York designated hitter.
[Another derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: Commenting on the Sox finally getting some hits, they said, "They'll scratch and claw their way back into the game with two runs in the fifth." The score at this point was 12-3 Yankees. Granted, Boston did edge closer (if keeping the game within nine runs constitutes "closer"), but really, NESN?]
A-Rod almost hit for the cycle tonight, if not for his plunking the ball off the top of the Green Monster instead of going over it, and for trying to stretch a single and getting tagged out at second. He was breaking up a slump, as were Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano (details with the game recap here).
And finally, Brian Bruney just hasn't been good since he came back from injury. He escaped without an earned run tonight but isn't lights-out anymore.
This 20-run thing is unusual for the Yankees, despite what detractors may say. It's the first time this season they went over 15 runs (which they did once), and their previous high to that was 11 a few times. See their full game results here.
In New York's last four-game sweep of Boston, the first game was a slugfest before the beautiful pitching showed up. With A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett filling out the next two days, that trend may repeat.
The Yankees (77-45) still have the best record in baseball.
Quick lines from tonight:
Hideki Matsui: 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2-for-6
Mark Teixeira: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
Alex Rodriguez: 4-for-4, RBI, triple
Melky Cabrera: 4-for-6, 2 RBI
Derek Jeter: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
Jorge Posada: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Eric Hinske: 2-for-4, RBI
Nick Swisher: 2-for-6, RBI
Robinson Cano: 1-for-6, RBI
Andy Pettitte: 10th win of the season
Other Yankees Posts
8.15.2009
73, 38, you know
New York collected its 73rd win tonight, the 38th time this season the Yankees have come from behind to win. They beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2.
Mark Teixeira broke the 2-all game with a long homer in the top of the ninth.
Andy Pettitte, despite pitching through six innings and striking out a season-high 10, didn't get a decision since the game was tied when he left the game. (Pettitte has never been flaming hot this season, with a middling ERA, even win-lose numbers, and an average strikeout total. But in 23 games, he's gone five innings or more all but twice. And the Yankees are 15-8 when he starts, despite his 9-6 record.)
Every starter except Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui had exactly one hit, with an RBI each from Derek Jeter, Nick Swisher, and Jerry Hairston Jr.
Phil Hughes got his fifth win of the season while striking out two of the three batters he faced in the eighth, and Mariano Rivera got his 34th save in 35 tries, which leads the majors.
Other Yankees Posts
Mark Teixeira broke the 2-all game with a long homer in the top of the ninth.
Andy Pettitte, despite pitching through six innings and striking out a season-high 10, didn't get a decision since the game was tied when he left the game. (Pettitte has never been flaming hot this season, with a middling ERA, even win-lose numbers, and an average strikeout total. But in 23 games, he's gone five innings or more all but twice. And the Yankees are 15-8 when he starts, despite his 9-6 record.)
Every starter except Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui had exactly one hit, with an RBI each from Derek Jeter, Nick Swisher, and Jerry Hairston Jr.
Phil Hughes got his fifth win of the season while striking out two of the three batters he faced in the eighth, and Mariano Rivera got his 34th save in 35 tries, which leads the majors.
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7.09.2009
Enough about those "highly paid" Yankees
Whine about the Yankees' incredible spending power if you will, but remember that it's veterans who have risen through the system (Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada) and low-paid or young players (Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Cody Ransom) who are doing most of the work.
Right now, it's the top of the sixth, and the Yankees are beating the Twins 6-4. Ransom and Gardner have two RBIs apiece and Jeter has another.
The only place you can really get away with whining about all that money buys? Half of the starting rotation (CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett) and the No. 3 hole (Mark Teixeira), I guess. But still, the rotation is building on Yankee veteran Andy Pettitte, and New York-raised Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.
A lot of money has been spent, but that's not necessarily where the wins are coming from.
Check out the Yankees' payroll here. With the exception of the aforementioned veterans, who deserve a pretty buck after spending their entire career in New York, the Yankees' big contributors for the days are all making regular MLB money. Cut out the ridiculously paid guys (Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Burnett, etc.), and the Yankees would still have a contending team.
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Right now, it's the top of the sixth, and the Yankees are beating the Twins 6-4. Ransom and Gardner have two RBIs apiece and Jeter has another.
The only place you can really get away with whining about all that money buys? Half of the starting rotation (CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett) and the No. 3 hole (Mark Teixeira), I guess. But still, the rotation is building on Yankee veteran Andy Pettitte, and New York-raised Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.
A lot of money has been spent, but that's not necessarily where the wins are coming from.
Check out the Yankees' payroll here. With the exception of the aforementioned veterans, who deserve a pretty buck after spending their entire career in New York, the Yankees' big contributors for the days are all making regular MLB money. Cut out the ridiculously paid guys (Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Burnett, etc.), and the Yankees would still have a contending team.
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7.01.2009
Huh. That was easy.
Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera combined for yet another win-save combo (their 60th) as the Yankees moved past Seattle 4-2 on the back of home runs by Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez.
Next up, New York welcomes Toronto in a hot matchup in the searing-hot American League East. The Yankees (44-32) are two and a half games back from the Red Sox (48-30), two and a half in front of the Rays (44-36) and four and a half in front of the Blue Jays (42-38). Boston and New York have the top two records, respectively, in the American League.
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Next up, New York welcomes Toronto in a hot matchup in the searing-hot American League East. The Yankees (44-32) are two and a half games back from the Red Sox (48-30), two and a half in front of the Rays (44-36) and four and a half in front of the Blue Jays (42-38). Boston and New York have the top two records, respectively, in the American League.
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6.23.2009
Return to inter-league play for Wang's ankle
Around this time last year, the Yankees headed into inter-league play. During a New York romp, when even their starting ace, Chien-Ming Wang, got on base, a fateful accident happened that has bugged the Yankees since.
Rounding the bases, Wang misstepped and hurt his ankle, dropping him on the disabled list for a few weeks. Throughout the rest of the season, he struggled with injuries, leaving the Yankees deprived of their best pitcher going into the pennant race. New York then missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and although it was a team effort that took the Yankees out of the 2008 postseason, not having two-time 19-game winner Wang down the stretch certainly didn't help.
The Yankees were excited to have Wang back for a full season this year, joining ace CC Sabathia, Yankee stalwart Andy Pettitte, young up-and-comer Joba Chamberlain and veteran A.J. Burnett in a powerhouse staff. But Wang quickly became the weakest link, if he could be called a link at all.
Wang has lost five games this season, holding down an ERA of 32.30 at one point. Entering tonight's game, his ERA had sunk to 12.30 (a "bad" major-league pitcher can get benched at 6.00 or so). Nothing has gone right for Wang.
So, as another inter-league tilt arrives, and Wang pitches the Yanks into a 3-0 hole (through five innings), how many New York fans are wishing that Wang hurts his ankle lapping the bases again? He had time on the DL already this year, and it didn't cure him, and now Phil Hughes (3-2, 4.78 ERA, 43 Ks, 17 BBs in 43.1 IP) waits in the wings. Compared toWang (0-5, 12.30 ERA, 21 Ks, 14 BBs in 26.1 IP), Hughes looks like a Cy Young-caliber option.
(And, as fate has it, Hughes is usually the reliever who comes in and picks up the pieces after Wang's slow starts.)
Wang has been a great contributor to the Yankees. He went 8-5 in his first season, in 2005, with a 4.02 ERA, then ripped through the next two seasons, going 19-6 and 19-7 with ERAs of 3.63 and 3.70, respectively. (In 2007, his strikeout total peaked at 104, 28 Ks higher than the next closest season, even as he pitched 19 innings less. And he's a sinkerballer, which means he's not even supposed to be getting guys to whiff.) But with all the problems he's been having this season, and the Yankees' inability to pull away in the American League East, he needs to find a solution to his pitching decline, and quick.
Rounding the bases, Wang misstepped and hurt his ankle, dropping him on the disabled list for a few weeks. Throughout the rest of the season, he struggled with injuries, leaving the Yankees deprived of their best pitcher going into the pennant race. New York then missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and although it was a team effort that took the Yankees out of the 2008 postseason, not having two-time 19-game winner Wang down the stretch certainly didn't help.
The Yankees were excited to have Wang back for a full season this year, joining ace CC Sabathia, Yankee stalwart Andy Pettitte, young up-and-comer Joba Chamberlain and veteran A.J. Burnett in a powerhouse staff. But Wang quickly became the weakest link, if he could be called a link at all.
Wang has lost five games this season, holding down an ERA of 32.30 at one point. Entering tonight's game, his ERA had sunk to 12.30 (a "bad" major-league pitcher can get benched at 6.00 or so). Nothing has gone right for Wang.
So, as another inter-league tilt arrives, and Wang pitches the Yanks into a 3-0 hole (through five innings), how many New York fans are wishing that Wang hurts his ankle lapping the bases again? He had time on the DL already this year, and it didn't cure him, and now Phil Hughes (3-2, 4.78 ERA, 43 Ks, 17 BBs in 43.1 IP) waits in the wings. Compared toWang (0-5, 12.30 ERA, 21 Ks, 14 BBs in 26.1 IP), Hughes looks like a Cy Young-caliber option.
(And, as fate has it, Hughes is usually the reliever who comes in and picks up the pieces after Wang's slow starts.)
Wang has been a great contributor to the Yankees. He went 8-5 in his first season, in 2005, with a 4.02 ERA, then ripped through the next two seasons, going 19-6 and 19-7 with ERAs of 3.63 and 3.70, respectively. (In 2007, his strikeout total peaked at 104, 28 Ks higher than the next closest season, even as he pitched 19 innings less. And he's a sinkerballer, which means he's not even supposed to be getting guys to whiff.) But with all the problems he's been having this season, and the Yankees' inability to pull away in the American League East, he needs to find a solution to his pitching decline, and quick.
6.20.2009
Ensure the win
Andy Pettitte has been trouble winning games lately, so he did what all pitchers must to when they want to bag a victory: he drove in a run.
With the Yankees heading to Florida to play the National League Marlins, Pettitte got a rare chance to hit and came up big with a double, driving in a run during the Yankees' three-run second. He left the bases loaded later, but in going the distance on the mound (seven innings pitched, seven Ks, one run allowed), it was enough.
New York won 5-1. The three hits Pettitte gave up were the only hits the Marlins got.
With the Yankees heading to Florida to play the National League Marlins, Pettitte got a rare chance to hit and came up big with a double, driving in a run during the Yankees' three-run second. He left the bases loaded later, but in going the distance on the mound (seven innings pitched, seven Ks, one run allowed), it was enough.
New York won 5-1. The three hits Pettitte gave up were the only hits the Marlins got.
6.03.2009
Stiff back, stiff bats
More than just Andy Pettitte's back was stiff tonight in the Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Texas Rangers. The New York hitters stayed home, except for maybe Jorge Posada (two hits, home run) and Nick Swisher (two hits, double).
Pettitte may have had a win in any other game, if he had hitting support, but tonight letting four runs in and walking six didn't cut it. (Pettitte hasn't been phenomenal this season, but he's pitched to the occasion and avoided walks.)
Better luck tomorrow, when the Yankees close out the series with the Rangers at 1:05 p.m.
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Pettitte may have had a win in any other game, if he had hitting support, but tonight letting four runs in and walking six didn't cut it. (Pettitte hasn't been phenomenal this season, but he's pitched to the occasion and avoided walks.)
Better luck tomorrow, when the Yankees close out the series with the Rangers at 1:05 p.m.
Other Yankees posts
5.30.2009
First Place
The Yankees are in sole possession of first place in the American League East for the first time since the end of 2006. They beat the Indians 3-1 today on the arms of Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, who combined for their 58th start-save combination, the most since saves became an official statistic.
Another Yankee veteran, stalwart Jorge Posada, came back from the disabled list and had two hits. He's batting .325 this season, a team-high.
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Another Yankee veteran, stalwart Jorge Posada, came back from the disabled list and had two hits. He's batting .325 this season, a team-high.
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5.18.2009
Tex: batter, gold glover, Sesame Street character
Am I bad person if I think Mark Teixeira doesn't look that cool? There are plenty of athletes who just don't look good (Sheldon Williams and Lance Thomas are two who quickly come to mind), but whenever Teixera steps up to bat and does his cross-eyed staredown of the opposing pitcher, I have to roll my eyes. The guy is not intimidating; he's a little pudgy; and with that nose and those fleshy cheeks, I'm hearing a stage call for Sesame Street.
Looks aside, though, Teixeira is finally starting to earn his contract. After treading water between the highway (hitting in the .100 to .199 range for non-baseball buffs) and the Mendoza line (around the .250 mark), Teixera has gone on a (small) tear during the recent homestand. He smashed deep, deep home runs from both sides of the plate tonight and lifted his average to .239. And he showed the hidden reason why the Yanks picked up his bat: his superb first-base defense. He had three amazing plays tonight at the corner bag, which is something New York has lacked sorely in the past few years. It's these little things that are going to keep the team in contention.
Tex is just one of several things starting to go right for the Yankees right now. The bullpen, despite letting a couple runs through, held on for the 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins, even without the arm of closer Mariano Rivera. Andy Pettitte pulled out a win, his performance showing how the typical Yankee starter of 2009 plays: a few unfortunate runs augmented by gutsy pitching into the seventh that leaves enough room for the bats to win the game. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera all knocked through a couple hits, and tonight the Yankees showed how they could go on a roll and get the new stadium very loud.
Believe it or not, the Yankees' rise to 21-17 puts them only a game behind the Boston Red Sox, and although the Toronto Blue Jays still lead the division at 27-14, they've had little play against their American League East counterparts. The Yankees and BoSox have played 19 games in the division, the Tampa Bay Rays 22 and the Baltimore Orioles 19. The Jays have tallied six.
It's shaping up to be a good part of the season.
Looks aside, though, Teixeira is finally starting to earn his contract. After treading water between the highway (hitting in the .100 to .199 range for non-baseball buffs) and the Mendoza line (around the .250 mark), Teixera has gone on a (small) tear during the recent homestand. He smashed deep, deep home runs from both sides of the plate tonight and lifted his average to .239. And he showed the hidden reason why the Yanks picked up his bat: his superb first-base defense. He had three amazing plays tonight at the corner bag, which is something New York has lacked sorely in the past few years. It's these little things that are going to keep the team in contention.
Tex is just one of several things starting to go right for the Yankees right now. The bullpen, despite letting a couple runs through, held on for the 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins, even without the arm of closer Mariano Rivera. Andy Pettitte pulled out a win, his performance showing how the typical Yankee starter of 2009 plays: a few unfortunate runs augmented by gutsy pitching into the seventh that leaves enough room for the bats to win the game. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera all knocked through a couple hits, and tonight the Yankees showed how they could go on a roll and get the new stadium very loud.
Believe it or not, the Yankees' rise to 21-17 puts them only a game behind the Boston Red Sox, and although the Toronto Blue Jays still lead the division at 27-14, they've had little play against their American League East counterparts. The Yankees and BoSox have played 19 games in the division, the Tampa Bay Rays 22 and the Baltimore Orioles 19. The Jays have tallied six.
It's shaping up to be a good part of the season.
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