Who says the Yanks can’t hit rookie pitchers they’ve never faced before? Who says they can’t get a big hit with the bases loaded? They had plenty fun tonight thanks to a grand slam by Curtis Granderson (2-0 pitch and son hit an absolute bomb) and a yeoman effort from C.C. Sabathia. It was a cold and rainy night in the Motor City but the Yanks got a lead and held it together. Grittsy n gutsy by C.C. who threw 39 pitches in the third inning but five in the sixth (after a bad call went against the Yanks, Robinson Cano was positioned just right to make an unassisted double play).
Alex Rodriguez whiffed three times but interrupted a rant by Michael Kay about how he hasn’t hit for power (which is, of course, true enough) to hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth.
Rafael Soriano had to come in the game with the bases loaded, one out and Miguel Cabrera up in the bottom of the inning but got a ground ball double play to end it.
Final Score: Yanks 9, Tigers 4.
Course, the big news round these parts tonight was Johan Santana’s no-hitter for the Mets, the first no-hitter in franchise history. I only caught the final three outs and have never rooted so hard for the Mets. Good for them.
A good night for the locals indeed.
[Photo Credit: SNY]
Course it never hurts to have a little luck:
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/19229899/the-no-hitter-that-wasnt
Wasn't there an old replay of a manager showing an ump black shoe polish on a ball to prove a hbp? I didn't see the whole argument of the Cardinal managaer arguing that close call. I wonder what would have happened if he pointed to the spot on the chalk? In any case, good win for the Yankees tonight. CC is a machine. Needs to cut back on those 30+ pitches innings. Yuck.
[0] Didn't Cano step on second and fire to first? Or are you talking about another DP. The one I saw was absolutely beautiful but not unassisted. Dude is a pleasure to watch.
[3] Alex just meant that Rob didn't need an assist from anyone else. He did get an assist on that play, but nobody else did.
I switched over to the Mets after the Bob Lorenz update in the 8th. Thank you, YES, for the tip! Great to see Johan and the Mets get it done. I was also happy for Terry Collins who had the look of a man whose job was on the line. His expression during the 9th inning gave you the feeling that he had a signed resignation letter in his jacket pocket, ready for submission if the Cards got a hit, or if Johan got hurt.
On the Yankee side, very satisfying win. I love CC.
NYC is the southpaw ace capital of the world this morning.
if you want to know what grasping the elusive no-hitter feels like to Mets fans, this is a good read:
http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/
[0] Grandy's grand slam actually came on a 1-1 pitch, but the YES broadcast incorrectly had 2-0 on the graphic. (I guess they just couldn't believe Rook threw a strike)
"Chalk flew up!"
[2] I think that happened before replay. Maybe turn of the last century.