Yanks Move On To 2009 World Series

The New York Yankees clinched their 40th American League Pennant after beating the Los Angeles Angels 4 games to 2.

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The Yankees veteran left hander Andy Pettitte continued to add onto his post season resume as he allowed only one run through the first 6.1 innings.

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Andy came into the game looking for his 16th career playoff win to set a record, and did exactly that with an excellent outing.

A. Pettitte made a lot of big pitches to keep the LA hitters off balanced.

He got himself out of a huge jam in top half of the 6th when he Kendry Morales to end the inning with a ground out to leave two runners in scoring position.

Yankees LF Johnny Damon went the other way to line a 2 run single with one out off of Angels Joe Saunders during the bottom half of the 4th inning.

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J. Damon loves to hit with runners in scoring position as New York took the early lead courtesy of his explosive offense.

Mark Teixeira has really been struggling during the post season, but got on with an infield single for his 2nd hit of the game.

3B Alex Rodriguez would arrive to the plate with the bases loaded one out to open up the game for New York.

Alex drew the base on balls to walk in the Yankees 3rd run of the game, and call for the Angels to bring in Darren Oliver to pitch.

After the Angels got inconsistency from their pitchers in throwing strikes all inning Jorge Posada fouled off a 1-0 curve ball 3 feet off the plate.

Jorge would follow with an inning ending double play to end the threat for New York.

You have to hope that at bat will not come back to haunt the Bronx Bombers later in the game.

Catcher Jorge Posada entered game six hitting behind Alex Rodriguez in the spot where DH Hideki Matsui would usually be batting.

The decision looked to not make any sense, as Hideki has been one of the best hitters with runners in scoring position.

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Jorge is not a good situational hitter he is better when he is not thinking up at the plate.

J. Posada's power can be so dangerous if he learns the strike zone better.

As a catcher he shouldn't have that problem, but either way if he gets his pitch he will knock it out of the park.

Jorge Posada grounded out into another double play in the bottom of the 7th after A. Rodriguez had led off the inning with a single up the middle.

The Yankees closer Mariano Rivera came in the top of the 8th to attempt a 6 out save to advance to the 2009 World Series.

M. Rivera got some timely defense from 1B Mark Teixeira who made a diving play to get the first out as the Angels Chone Figgins had moved a runner into scoring position.

The following play resulted in a ground out to 2B Robinson Cano by Torii Hunter who came up short in another opportunity to get back in the game.

Mariano would give up an RBI single to Vladimir Guerrero who has been getting some clutch hits for LA this October.

The Yankee lead would be cut to 3-2 with Mariano Rivera facing Kendry Morales at the plate 2 out and one on.

M. Rivera got out of the jam on a ground out to end the inning, and leave New York with a one run lead headed toward the bottom part of the 8th.

At this point you could ask Yankees skipper Joe Girardi why he brought in Mariano that early in the game, but I guess if you are going to win or lose you do it with your best.

My only problem with that is you still have failed to give anyone in your bullpen any confidence.

With a runner on first RF Nick Swisher laid down a beautiful bunt as Angels 2B Howie Kendrick was unable to hang on to the ball at first.

Melky Cabrera followed with a bunt of his own, but LA pitcher Scott Kazmir threw the ball away to allow a runner to cross.

SS Derek Jeter like Jorge Posada had a rough night grounding back to pitcher S. Kazmir leaving Johnny Damon with runners on 2nd and 3rd one out.

J. Damon worked a walk to send up Mark Teixeira with the bases loaded.

It was a great night for Tex at the plate who came through with a sac fly to bring up the red hot Alex Rodriguez.

The Angels brought in Jared Weaver to pitch to the hitting machine to stop the bleeding.

Ja. Weaver wanted no part of A. Rodriguez walking him on four pitches.

Jorge Posada would end his night at the plate in the bottom of the 8th striking out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

J. Posada had one of the worst games of his career going 0-5 with a strikeout leaving 10 runners on base.

However the 8th was still a great inning for New York as they scored 3 runs to give their team as they decided to go back to playing Baseball.

Mariano Rivera would record the 37th save of his post season career having a 123 9th inning as the New York Yankees would win the ALCS.