The Yanks scored early again today. In the first, Alex Rodriguez doubled home Derek Jeter, and in the fourth, Nick Swisher hit a three-run home run into the left field bleachers. That after he attempted to bunt on the first two pitches.
After the game, Swisher told reporters, “I thought I was told to lay one down. So finally after it got to 2-0 and the pitching coach came out I went over to (Pena) and said, ‘Hey man, what do you want me to do right here?’ He said, ‘I want you to let it loose.’ So I did.”
It proved to be enough as the Bombers leave Oakland with a three-game-sweep of the A’s. A.J. Burnett allowed a first inning home run, a two-run shot to Josh Willingham, but didn’t have any trouble with the A’s after that. Joba Chamberlain put two men on in the eighth, but then speared a line drive off the bat of Conor Jackson and turned a double play to end the inning.
Final Score: Yanks 4, A’s 2.
No complaints here as the Red Sox lost again to the White Sox in Boston.
Smiles all round, especially from Swisher, who had this to say to Kim Jones:
“I feel great. I feel like myself again. My personality is back. You know, I’m out of that dark place. So, either way my teammates have been amazing for me, my family and everybody. It’s been a wonderful trip so far. You learn a lot about yourself when you’re in those times. So for myself, I just wanna keep going out there, keep battling, and keep picking up those wins because everyone loves winning.”
Amen to that.
[Photo Credit: Ben Margot/AP and roly]
Pity I had to miss most of the game between work & Aikido. Did get to see the Swisher swat though.
4 Wins in a row on the West coast for the Yankees.
4 Loses in a row at Fenway for the Red Sox.
Funny how fast things can turn around.
I missed the ninth inning, so I had to watch it just now from the mlb.tv archive.
A pop-up, a broken bat grounder, a backward K. A stone, a leaf, an unfound door. Every ninth inning is a window on all time.
A very satisfying win, indeed.
Anyone in the Springfield area? If so, I hope you're OK! Tornados aren't supposed to happen in Massachusetts ...
[4] I'm about 25 miles south of the path, actually. (Well east of Springfield, too.) Crazy weather.
Another afternoon game? Nice that they won, got to clean up against these lame-o-rific AL West teams.
That's a great Swisher quote
I played hooky from work and went to the game this afternoon and it was a great game. The rained right up until about first pitch, clouds and chill in after the final out, but in between was gorgeous sunshine. Nice, efficient game at just over 2.5 hours, lots of Yankee blue in the crowd, good guys win. I had seats in the 3rd row behind the Yankee dugout, right over Joe G.'s left shoulder for the game. Something for everyone:
- Jeter with 3 solid fly balls
- Catcher stealing with no throw
- Swish with the 3-run bomb after showing bunt (please learn something Mr. Girardi)
- Someone flipped a ball to a guy sitting in front of me in the first row - and he dropped it...
- Phil Hughes sighting
- Nonstop chatter from the New York natives sitting behind me
- Joba keeping things interesting
- Mo to close it out
- Start spreadin' the news