This is how winning streaks are built–by winning the close ones. The Yanks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on Friday and they survived a shaky outing from their set-up relievers, and got big time contributions from the Boras Boys, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, to beat the Twins in extra innings on Saturday afternoon, 6-4.
The M&M boys from Minnie did their thing too–Joe Mauer homered for the second straight day and Justin Morneau hit his third dinger of the series (and his second against Phil Coke), but the Yankees’ demolition duo got the last laugh.
During the broadcast, Paul O’Neill said that the team hasn’t defined itself yet and I couldn’t agree more. It’s hard to figure who they are yet. For all of their top-shelf talent, they are not a crisp team fundamentally; Melky Cabrera made a crucial mistake, over-throwing the cut-off man, in the eighth, which allowed the go-ahead run to score. I also get the feeling that too many of the hitters are tantalized by dreams of the home run highlight in big spots (Nick Swisher, I’m looking in your direction). Nevermind the mess in the bullpen–had the Yanks lost the game, I was going to title the post “Where’s that confounded bridge?”
Still, they’ve won plenty of games in the late innings this year, haven’t they? That’s got to count for something.
Joba Chamberlain wasn’t brilliant but he was good. What’s more, he’s fun to watch. I love that he’s got a curve ball and a change-up. He walked four in six innings but only allowed three hits and left with a lead. His counterpart, Nick Blackburn, “a damn good pitcher,” according to David Cone during the pre-game, was impressive even though he allowed four runs (three of which came on a dinger by Teixeira). He kept the ball down and worked quickly. He had one problem. Getting out Teixeira, who had four hits against him, including an RBI single in the eighth that tied the game at four.
Mariano Rivera was smooth like butter in the bottom of the ninth, striking out two. He froze Mauer with that back-door fastball to end it. The Twins got two cheaps to start the tenth but Rivera did not allow a run to score and Alfredo Aceves worked a perfect inning in the eleventh to set the stage for Rodriguez.
Teixeira walked to start the inning and then Rodriguez deposited a 1-0 offering into the seats in left. Minutes later, while being interviewed by Kim Jones, Rodriguez was tagged with a whipped-cream pie by tomorrow’s starter AJ Burnett. She asked him the standard questions and he looked serious and gave her the standard answers. Then she said, “When was the last time you had a whipped cream pie?” Rodriguez smiled and said, “Uh, my birthday,” and jumped off. I don’t doubt that.
Wonderful win for the Yanks. Let’s hope they don’t celebrate too much tonight.
It’s on AJ to continue the good vibes tomorrow.
(Image of Rodriguez from ESPN.com)
“Where’s that confounded bridge?”
i'm glad you didn't have to bust out the LED ZEP reference! : )
[1] i do love that song!
[1] Particularly since, even as a goof, that's gotta be one of the worst Led Zeppelin songs ever. Ever!
“Where’s that confounded bridge?”
He pitched the first six innings.
arod came through like a thoroughbred.
if by identity you are getting at the idea of why will this team win? - then i agree that hasn't really established itself yet. a few years ago the yanks just outscored teams and that's why they won. last year tampa won with good pitching and defense. could be the yanks will not be outstanding at anything this year, but hopefully emerege as quite good at most aspects of the game. the key really does go back to starting pitching - have to get long, solid outings from these guys more often than not.
must say even though i don't wish ill per se on him, i am glad rj did not get 300 today and will have to work for it a bit.
if there ends up being a significant gap before the next pitcher wins 300, i am bummed that moose isn't that guy.
[5] oh damn - he was going for 299 - don't know why i made that leap
Another great victory to wake up to! Archive game ahoy..
Whiskey talk: sign me up please, Glenmorangie or Bowmore is the choice.
My crappy JV team swept a double header today for their 1st two wins of the year. Finally. It was 3-2 in the fifth between our 2 games. Man, 6 hours after the first pitchi I was finally home @7:00. The tv was on a highlights station when I turned it on. There was Alex, with pie on his face. It's been fun catching up. : )
This was a good win and presages more wins to come. I think its instructive to notice how much better the team is with A-Rod batting 4th after Texeira. It makes it much harder for opposing teams to pitch around a batter.
I have a good feeling that the Yanks could go on a streak. It would be about time.
Gardner made a similar crucial mistake throwing the ball, also costing them a run. It's reasonable to wonder about the coaching staff's attention to teaching fundamentals.
None of that, however, can obscure what a terrific win this was.
Joba and Hughes should be major components of the rotation for a long time.
[10] huh? when?
Random thoughts: anyone see John Lackey get ejected after TWO pitches, against the Rangers? He just got off the DL...strange!
Pete Abe at LoHud..I really like his site but the last post about A-Rod and "ethical cheering"..WTF?? Can he lay off the A-Rod bashing already? In any case, I find it easier to cheer for roid-ragers than for drunk-drivers or wife-beaters..any opinions on this from the Banter?
Done with thearchived game, what a shot from A-Rod! Who was it that gave him the shaving cream-pie?
The Twins..I really don't get how they can compete every year when starting players like Punto and Redmond..pitching pitching pitching I guess..
It's funny how ARod is accused of being selfish because he is concerned about his own stats. Yet you never hear that said about the many, many players who 'hang on' to their last years, well past their primes, or maybe even being useful contributors, to pad their counting stats. But really, is that a crime?
While they aren't many, I do take pride in my own accomplishments. I think most of us do.
Maybe even, that's part of what drives people to achieve.
Yes, ARod does pat himself on the pat, while smarter guys say: "Did I really get that many hits? Gee, I didn't even know" (I'm looking at you Derek)
I look at that picture and I see a guy who needs acknowledgement from his team... but not because HE hit a HR, but because they won the game.
[12] Umps are sensitive, there was a beanball war between the Halos & Rangers not too long ago.
[13] It was Burnett that gave him the pie.
[11] What?