http://a.espncdn.com/media/apphoto/aef09be7-e66f-49ed-9062-fa42d9ebfafd.jpg
this picture belongs to ESPN.com
Andy Pettitte had another solid start pitching 6 innings allowing four earned runs on four hits. Andy has been one of the better pitchers for the Yankees this season behind CC Sabathia. Pettite is now 13-6 for the season with a 4.10 ERA.
Alex Rodriguez was clutch at the plate once again.
Alex Rodriguez was 2 for 4 driving in his 78th RBI of the 2009 season. Alex now has his average up to .276 trying to make up for lost time on the disabled list.
Again Melky Cabrera was 2 for 4 picking up 2 RBI on the day continuing his consistent hitting.
Mark Teixeria popped his 33rd home run of the season in the 5th inning. Tex is on the path to an American League MVP having a terrific season.
Jeter was 2 for 4 on the game finding his way back into the lineup after two days off. Derek was obviously given the days off because the Yankees want him to get the hit record at Yankee Stadium.
David Robertson was clutch out of the bullpen pitching a scoreless 7th inning. Robertson picked up another strike out as his ERA now stands at 3.29.
Derek Jeter got the 8th inning started off with a base hit up the middle to bring him six hits away from being the all time Yankees hit leader.
The 8th inning in general was ended for both teams by two selfish hitters Jorge Posada for the Yankees and Jose Bautista for the Blue Jays.
Scott Downs got Nick Swisher out but managed to worked himself into trouble for the Blue Jays hitting Tex and walking Arod to load the bases with one out for the red hot Jorge Posada. Downs had no command out there and gave the Bronx Bombers a chance to open up the game.
Posada selfishly swung at a 2-0 pitch after Downs had thrown 8 straight balls. Jorge hit into a double play on a nice play by Toronto shortstop Marco Scutaro. Posada hit a solid ground ball but why on earth would he not be taking a strike in that spot?
As good as Jorge has been playing those are the things he does that just frustrate me. There is no excuse for what he did other than he was only thinking for himself. If you are a team guy then you look to work a walk in that spot he completely let Scott Downs slip out of trouble.
The Yankees could have easily lost this game by just a boneheaded move. Even if Jorge would have gotten the ball through I still would have been upset. Alex Rodriguez don't swing in that spot so why should Jorge Posada?
I am surprised nobody said anything Michael Kay and David Cone did not even mention how stupid that was.
If it were almost any other Yankee you would have heard the broadcasters say something. Some times it brings me to not like Jorge Posada because of the special treatment.
Brian Bruney was rolling in the bottom of the 8th and after getting two outs Jorge decided to mess with his rhythm after Bruney threw two balls.
Bruney ended up walking the next hitter who almost gave away the at bat but taking after Jorge swinging at a 3-0 pitch.
Although swinging at a 3-0 is a lot worse than a 2-0 it is the point that both players were stupid or they were just being selfish either way there is no place for it in the big leauges.
This was the inning where you would think Molina would be a perfect defensive replacement. Jose Molina doesn't throw pitchers off, and in a one run game you cannot leave Posada behind the plate.
You have to think about winning first, and not how upset Jorge will be after the game. No matter how hot Posada has been at the plate he should never be a #4 hitter he is too slow and has never been a good situational hitter.
Phil Hughes had to come in relief and blew away pinch hitter travis snider on strikes to end the 8th. Hughes has been impressive this season down the stretch what a job he has done.
The top of the 9th inning started off with a Robinson Cano double off the right field wall. Cano was 3 for 4 an RBI smashing his 23rd home run of the season in the 4th inning.
Matsui hit a solid ground ball that back to the pitcher, and made Jason Frasor look ridiculous trying to field. I understand pitchers are not known for being the best fielders, but it is disgusting how bad some of these guys look.
The way Frasor fell on his face had to be as embarrassing for him as it was for me to watch.
You would think that most of these guys grew up playing baseball why is it so many don't have a clue how to play the game.
The ruling on the play was a hit it has become a given that your pitcher will be a terrible athlete that can throw a 96 mph fastball.
The Yankees would pinch run for Hideki who was up there taking beautiful swings. Matsui looked as if he was on every pitch.
That play opened up the inning for Melky who drove in Cano on a single to push Cervelli up to second.
Johnny Damon followed and I have no idea why he was not bunting with first and second nobody out up by two. I am sick of hearing about his batting average if Mickey Mantle could bunt then everyone should have to.
Damon would go down on strikes looking which would let Jason Frasor back into the inning. Two straight innings the Yankees forgot how to play real baseball which could have blown an easy win.
Derek Jeter on deck and you don't want to move the runners over for him. Joe Girardi has no brain it really hurts to say it because I liked him so much as a player, but I cannot lie.
The 9th inning was closed out by Phil Hughes who had come in to get the last out in the 8th. Hughes was dominant as usual showing his season has not been a fluke.
Hughes would pick up his 3rd save of the season the 2nd on this road trip giving the Yankees a 6-4 win.
Joe had so many golden opportunities in this game that a team like Boston would have made the Yankees pay.
Of course you are going to get away with stupid baseball against teams like the Jays, but it is a matter of time before you are brought back to reality. The Yankees cannot light up.
The scary thing about a comfortable lead in the Division is you know the Yankees will rely on too many things that have failed in the past.
If you go back to 2005 Bubba Crosby replaced Bernie Williams in center field the Yankees went on a tear winning 12 of their next 14 and all of a sudden Crosby went 3 weeks without playing an inning.
Bubba would put the Yankees into first that season on a clutch walk off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning vs the Baltimore Orioles at the old Yankee Stadium. When the Yankees rolled into post season that season Crosby barely played.
It is a shame that Bubba Crosby never did anything after that, but you have to imagine he would have been a better version of Brett Gardner.
If you want to go further than that how about how many years did they let Jason Giambi just kill the team. They have to stop trying to over think everything and let their talent take over. Next year you don't have to grab a bunch of new players what you have now is more than enough.
The Yankees have to stick to what works they have Phil Hughes pitching the way he is don't ever let him start again. How many teams can rest Mariano Rivera and get a performance like that in the 9th?
The Yankees have so much potential on that team let's just hope that they use them right. David Robertson, Brian Bruney, Phil Hughes, Damaso Marte, and Mariano Rivera is just an incredible bullpen. How many teams can match up with that?
I could basically write all their names on the team, but look at the depth on this roster. The only way the Yankees could lose is if they let themselves lose.
The New York Yankees will play again tomorrow 1:07 pm eastern time to close out the 4 game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sergio Mitre will take the mount for the Yankees coming in 3-1 with a 5.65 ERA as the Blue Jays will send 5-9 Brian Tallet who has a 5.17 ERA.
The Yankees now have a 7 and a half game lead on the Boston Red Sox as they roll into tomorrows game with an 86-49 record for the 2009 campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment