Pena HR's For 1st Time As Gaudin Moes Down KC

Yankees stater Chad Gaudin resumed his streak of quality pitching through the first 6 2\3 innings allowing 2 runs on only 4 hits.

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Many of the regular starters were given the day off due to clinching the AL East after last night's win over the Boston Red Sox.

New York looked to still be a quality team with all of their starters on the bench with the exception of Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera, and Robinson Cano.

With Derek Jeter on the bench you still have speed at the top of the order with Brett Gardner, and Robinson Cano would be the #3 hitter on some teams.

The game would finally be opened up in the bottom of the 4th with a Eric Hinske RBI single.

The Royals pulled the shift on E. Hinske, but had to keep their third baseman at home with the fact that there was a runner on second.

E. Hinske took advantage of the open slot poking one through the left side right where the shortstop would have been to get things started for the Yankees.

The following inning KC would tie the game for the time being on a Mark Teahen solo HR to left field off of Yankees pitcher Chad Gaudin.

M. Teahen stayed back nicely to go the opposite way for his 12th of the year, and was the first to solve C. Gaudin.

The tie would be broken quickly as New York would receive a special moment from one of the rookies.

Ramiro Pena hit his first major league HR in the bottom of the 5th off of Royals pitcher Luke Hockevar to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

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R. Pena has a quick bat through the strike zone, and has a lot of similarities to retired great Robin Ventura's swing.

Ramiro also provides some of the best hands you will ever see in the field, and is only 24 years of age.

However the game would be tied up in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by KC's Mike Jacobs.

A lot of people I know chose not to watch this game, but ironically it was one of the most entertaining games I have seen.

With the Royals being a weak team the teams seemed even today as the Yankees went with a lot of their minor league prospects.

The bottom of the 6th inning was a good one for the Bronx Bombers as they once again took control in the game to regain the lead.

Jorge Posada drilled his 3rd hit of the game a double to left field that would give New York a chance to go on top.

Fan favorite Shelley Duncan came through with a 2 out RBI single to give the Yanks a 3-2 advantage in the game.


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Damaso Marte would replace Chad Gaudin in the 7th inning, and have to face a tough lefty Royals own Alex Gordon.

Chad was magnificent as he has been lately for his new team showing manager Joe Girardi what he can do.

If you are GM Brian Cashman you have to be excited to watch how the deal for Chad Gaudin turned out, as he has lowered his ERA to 3.54 for the season.

D. Marte was able to get the final out in the 7th inning to give C. Gaudin an opportunity for the win.

Damaso got a tough out in Alex Gordon, and looks to be impressive heading toward the end of the regular season.

New York catcher Francisco Cervelli looks so smooth behind the plate, and could easily be an all star catcher one day.

He has so many tools that most catchers lack, and looks to only be improving with his bat.

I know most people would assume that he is a decent player at best, but I believe he has more potential than that.

F. Cervelli led off the bottom half of the 7th inning with a line drive double off the right center field wall, and showed a nice compact swing.

Francisco made it to second with ease, as some players would have been jogging the whole way.

You have to wonder if he will be a starter one day for the Yankees, after playing a major role in their success earlier in the season.

The youngsters would have an inning as Ramiro Pena would drive in another run this time on an RBI single to stretch the lead to two.

R. Pena followed up by stealing second base, and would advance to third on a single from Brett Garnder.

Ramiro was unable to score on the play, but the Yankees would light up the scoreboard regardless.

After a Melky Cabrera walk the game would come down to Robinson Cano with the bases juiced.

Robinson Cano hit a grand slam that would be his 25th of the season, and give him 84 RBI for the year.


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R. Cano looked to have been too anxious on the first pitch chasing one up in the strike zone, but would prove to like the high ball turning on one over the right field wall.

Robby is now hitting .322, and has a lot of momentum building up for himself heading into the 2009 ALDS.

The Yankees would go on to win by the score of 8-2, and will look forward to another game with the Royals tomorrow night at 7:05 pm.

KC will give the ball to Anthony Lerew who lost his only start this season, and will look for a chance to make it in the big leagues.

The New York Yankees will start A.J. Burnett who will come in with a 12-9 record and a 4.19 ERA.

A.J. needs to throw effectively tomorrow to prepare himself for the cold winds of October in a completely new environment in the Bronx.

The Bronx Bombers already have 101 wins for the year, and have six games remaining in the regular season.