Jorge Posada channeled the spirit of Bernie Williams tonight. He had to be reminded to take first base by the home plate umpire when he walked in his first at-bat. Next time up, he hit a two-run homer. Third time up, score tied at three in the fifth, Posada took a 3-1 pitch for a strike. Only he thought it was strike three and started walking back to the dugout. The ump called him back. Alex Rodriguez held up two fingers and grinned. Jeter’s smile couldn’t get any wider. Posada fouled a pitch off and then hit the next one over the wall in left for a homer.
Believe it. It wasn’t Bernie thinking he’d walked then hitting a grand slam, but it was close enough.*
Smooth move, Wormser, you meant to do that, right?
AJ Burnett labored in every inning but the fourth, but even when he gave the lead up it was hard not to believe the Yanks would win the game. They are playing like the Gashouse Gorillas. Rodriguez tied the score at 6 with a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer and Eric Hinske followed with a solo shot. Swisher has more homers (4) in Baltimore this season than he’s got at home (3). He’s got 23 all told. Cano also hit his 22nd.
Eleven pitchers in all. Mo finished it, recording his 34th straight save (1.78 ERA).
Final Score: Yanks 9, O’s 6.
Yanks are rough, boy. Even with Burnett having a forgettable outing. Red Sox ain’t losing much lately either.
* Jorge got a sorry reminder of his injured hand when he took a foul tip off the glove with one out in the eighth. “It was not a direct hit but it was a stinger,” said Ken Singleton on the YES broadcast. He did not leave the game.
It was fun.
Yeah, it was easy to maintain confidence even when AJ coughed up the lead for the Nth time. It's just been that way for the past month or so. Nice that the Bombers are not respected the boundary between August and September.
Great bullpen pitching tonight, by the way. Marte was strong and efficient; Robertson was dominant; Cokey looked very good against the lefties. And, Mo, of course.
It's going to be a great year, Gilbert.
I just read the most recent post on newstadiuminsider.com, on the incredible shrinking Yankee Stadium. The big ball yard in the Bronx just isn't quite as big s it used to be.
OK, back to basking in the post victory glow.
This was a series that there was really no reason for the Yankees to lose a game.
I look for that to continue tomorrow.
People are questioning the Dodgers for the Thome move but I think it makes sense..if they get to the WS then he'll DH, and that's a monster PH to have on the bench..he's never going to play the field anyway so a good move, methinks.
Now that Tampa is done and done, if things hold steady it will be Yanks, Angels, Tigers, Red Sox...can't say I am happy about any of those matchups! The Angels got the bats this year but then so do we, and our 1-2-3 + closer is obviously way ahead..yet again, the BoSox look scariest...
Jorge needs to stop acting like a jackass and sit down for a few games. If he can't grip a bat in October, he's useless.
[5] i'm still gonna hold out hope that Tejas somehow snags the WC...
tim hudson (god, i HATE the nickname "Huddy"! ick.), is pitching a very nice first game back from surgery. i think there are about 350 people in miami to see it...
[5] People are questioning the Dodgers for the Thome move...
I don't see any possible downside. And if he can play the field at all, he's a definite upgrade over what LAD is trotting out there.
[7] Man, that's a pet peeve of mine too.."Huddy"?? That's awful! Think anyone calls Swisher "Swishy"? I'd like to see someone try a cute nickname with Earl Weaver (that clip someone put on the game thread will copy here, highly recommended! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkcElfDQafo
Its that time of year folks.
The Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals statistically can no longer win their divisions. The Nationals can be eliminated from playoff contention all together as soon as Thursday.
Maybe someone can work on their existence next?
this is AMAZING:
since June 12th, Mariano has driven in as many runs as he's allowed: ONE
unbelievable !!!
AJ really needs to consider featuring a third pitch when he lacks command of his FB and/or curve. According to PitchFX, he threw 65 FBs, 39 CBs, 3 Sinkers, 2 Changeups. If Eiland can't reach him, get someone who can.
Kenny Singleton always kinda reminded me of U.N. Jefferson
For 20 points and the game--ESPN.com in their report about Giambi going to the Rockies called him an accomplished first baseman. What were and when were his accomplishments?
[15] Convincing someone to pay him big bucks to play it for a long time.
[5] I don't know why. Good move for the Dodgers to strengthen their bench, and it's a good move for Thome, who gets to play in the postseason
[11] They tried that once already
[13] Looking @ his career on fangraphs, it seems he has been a fb/cb pitcher for just about his entire career.
FB: 66.9% (94.8)
SL: 0.6% (84.1)
CB: 26.8% (81.2)
CH: 5.7% (86.5)
[17] Right, and at least partially as a result, he has been very inconsistent despite having two plus plus pitches. That's why David Cone thinks he needs to change his approach. I'm following on that.