Different day, same score. The Yankees won a pitcher’s duel at the Stadium last night as Javier Vazquez won his seventh game of the year. For the second-straight game, Jason Giambi had the game-winning RBI, a two-run single. Tom Gordon replaced Vazquez in the eighth, and Mariano Rivera recorded the save in the ninth (the game ended when Jorge Posada threw out pinch-runner Denny Hocking). It was crisp, efficient game that was played in just under two-and-a-half hours. Thomas George has a nice write-up in the Times, while Brian Lewis’ coverage in the Post is marked by sloppiness. In the opening paragraph, Lewis notes that starting pitching has not been one of the Yankees’ strengths this season:
But if inconsistent Javier Vazquez can keep pitching the way he did last night, that could change.
Later, he adds:
The Yankees (36-20) have won 12 of their past 14 on the strength of their bats; their starting staff has struggled. The starters came into last night with a 4.87 ERA, 22nd in the majors. That’s a dangerous way to try to win.
That’s also why last night’s performance from enigmatic Vazquez was so heartening.
Perhaps Lewis meant to say “the enigmatic” Vazquez, but it’s hard to figure what’s so mysterious about Vazquez. He hasn’t been so inconsistent either. He’s got the best ERA on the staff while he’s received the lowest run support.
Bill Madden catches up with Gary Sheffield, while Jay Greenberg has a puff piece on my man Bernie Williams.
Elsewhere, the old Pedro Martinez was on display at Fenway Park last night as he two-hit the Padres for eight innings. Keith Foulke pitched the ninth and the Sox won, 1-0. There is rarely a dull moment with Martinez. Hey, at least he keeps Sox fans on their toes, huh? Out west, Roger Clemens won his ninth game of the year as the Astros blanked the Mariners, 1-zip.
