September 2008
Mussina’s Final Start Ends With 20th Win Of Season
Mike Mussina finally reached the magic 20 win mark in a season, as the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox, 6-2, in the first game of a day/night doubleheader at Fenway Park.
After winning the first game of this three game series against the Sox, 19-8, on Friday, Saturday’s game was rained out. This resulted in the scheduled doubleheader on Sunday, the final day of the regular season. The rain also threatened to cancel these two games, but the on and off rainy day was clear enough to play, thankfully for Mussina. If these games were rained-out, they would not have been made up, because they would not have affected the final standings.
Mussina (20-9) threw only 73 pitches, over six solid shutout innings, allowing three hits, and two walks, while striking out three, and lowering his ERA to 3.37.
This victory was Mussina’s 270th career win, tying him with Burleigh Grimes, for 33th on the all-time wins list. Also, Mussina, 39, became the oldest pitcher to get his first 20-win season this late in his career.
Xavier Nady provided the Yankees with all the runs they would need, by hitting a three-run homer, off Boston starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3), in the top of the 4th inning.
With the 3-0 lead, Mussina got into his only trouble of the game in the bottom of the 4th, when Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz started off the inning by hitting back to back singles. But, Mussina got Kevin Youkilis to fly out to centerfield for the first out of the inning; and, then, J.D. Drew grounded into a double play, to end the inning without any further damage.
Mike Mussina’s start was finished after six innings; now it was up to the Yankees bullpen to hold the lead, and preserve Moose’s 20th win.
Phil Coke pitched a scoreless 7th inning, and was replaced by Joba Chamberlain in the 8th. Joba only faced two batters, though, allowing a lead-off walk, and then a double, bringing the tying run to the plate. At this point, Joe Girardi decided to make another pitching change, and brought Brian Bruney into the game.
Bruney allowed one run to score; and, was replaced by Damaso Marte, who allowed another run to score, cutting the Yankes lead to 3-2.
There were now two outs in the 8th, and Girardi made the call to Mariano Rivera to get the final four outs of the game. Rivera ended the rally by striking-out Dustin Pedroia on three straight pitches, the last one a swinging strike-three.
As it started to rain again, the Yankees scored three more insurance runs in the top of the 9th, off Boston closer, Jonathan Papelbon.
Robinson Cano (3-for-4) led off the inning with a single. Cody Ransom then grounded a perfect hit and run ball up the middle, setting up a first and third situation, with no outs. Jose Molina was up next, and hit a RBI sac fly to rightfield, driving home Cano for a 4-2 lead.
Brett Gardner then singled; and, Johnny Damon walked, to load the bases with Melky Cabrera coming up to the plate. Melky hit a RBI fielders choice grounder to third, that increased the Yanks lead to 5-2.
Alex Rodriguez was up next, with runners on second and third, and two outs. A-Rod completed the scoring by hitting a RBI single, for the 6-2 Yankees lead.
Papelbon struck-out Miranda for the final out of the inning. But, for Papelbon, this was the first time in his career that he ever gave up more than two runs in an appearance. So, as they say, you always see something you never seen before in each game. Well, today, it was the first time Papelbon gave up at least three runs in a game.
The ”Great” Mariano closed out the Yankees 6-2 victory, and Mike Mussina’s 20th win of the season, by pitching a scoreless 9th inning, recording his 39th save.
Congratulations to Mike Mussina, for his outstanding 20-9 season !!!
Mussina Wins #19 … But, The Party Is Over For Yanks
Mike Mussina won his 19th game of the season, as the New York Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 3-1, last night in Toronto. It was the Bombers 9th victory in their last 11 games.
For Mussina, (19-9), it was career win #269, moving him into 34th place on the all-time Major League wins list.
But, the win was bittersweet, as the Boston Red Sox also won last night, to clinch the wild card spot in the American League playoffs, thus eliminating the Yankees from the post-season for the first time in 13 years.
October is not going to be a happy time for Yankees fans, or the whole Yankees Organization.
The 2008 Baseball Post-Season will look like a Yankees Old-Timers Day Celebration throughout the playoffs and into the World Series. But, none of the “Yankee Greats”, or games, will grace the old Yankee Stadium any more this year, or ever. “Closing Night” at Yankee Stadium ended eariler than expected in 2008, as the House That Ruth Built had it’s final great show on Sunday, September 21, 2008.
It will be difficult to watch the post season games this year, knowing that Joe Torre, Don Mattingly, and Larry Bowa, are now the braintrust of the Los Angeles Dodgers; and, may be playing the Chicago Cubs, managed by “Sweet Lou” Piniella, for the National League Championship.
Or, if that is not hard enough to swallow, the Yankees cross-town rivals, the New York Mets, may be in the mix in this year’s playoffs, if they don’t duplicate their disastrous collapse of last year, when up by 7 games with 17 to go they blew the lead in the NL East to the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the division, sending the Mets home to watch the 2007 playoff games on TV.
There is a difference, though, on the Mets roster this year. They have Johan Santana in their starting rotation, not Tom Glavine, who pitched poorly down the stretch in 2007, losing three key games that basically sealed the Mets fate to a shocking second place finish behind the Phillies.
Now, I’m not second guessing the Yankees decision to pass on a deal, at the winter meetings in December 2007, that would have brought Santana to the Yanks. I felt than, as I still do, the Minnesota Twins were asking too much in return for Santana. But, if the Mets do get into the playoffs, the great Johan Santana debate will arise again; and, no matter what side of the debate Yankee fans are on, it will not be pleasant seeing Santana on the mound, starting for the Mets, as the ace of their pitching staff.
Hey, it could have been even worse. If Wille Randolph was still managing the Mets, there would be a “triple crown” of former great Yankees leading their respective teams as Managers during the 2008 post-season.
Seeing Willie Randolph back at Yankee Stadium during this year’s All-Star Game; and, at the final game at the old Stadium, was a “good feeling”, that Willie is back as part of the New York Yankees family.
It also will not be pleasant for Yankee fans seeing the Los Angeles Angels, and the Milwaukee Brewers [if the Brewers get in], in this year’s playoffs. Both teams in the post season will be a constant reminder of two deals the Yankees should have made during this season’s trade deadline.
When George M. Steinbrenner, III, was totally running the New York Yankees, and making “all” the decisions, every effort would have been made to bring Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia to the Yankees for the pennant drive. Both players, Tex at first, and C.C. as a key member of the starting rotation, would have made a huge difference on the Yankees roster, which may have been the perfect infusion of talent that would have fueled the Yankees into first place in the AL EAST.
Hopefully, the signing of free agents, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia, are the two top priories for the Yankees in this off-season.
But, the toughest part of this post season will be watching the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, especially the Sox, playing in the playoffs.
The Rays now have Don Zimmer as a senior baseball advisor; and, all the good luck, and baseball knowledge he always brought to the Yankees during the early Championship Seasons of the Joe Torre era, has finally rubbed-off on his new team, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Since Don Zimmer left New York, the Yankees haven’t won a World Championship. I’m not superstitious, but it is a fact, since Zimmer has left, the Yankees have not won the World Series. So, it would be very difficult seeing the Rays win with Zim as part of the Organization.
Finally, with the Red Sox in the post season defending their 2007 World Championship, and the Yankees not part of October Baseball for the first time in 13 straight years, this is the most difficult of all to deal with. Enough said there.
Well, the 2008 Baseball Season has been very disappointing for the New York Yankees. The goal every year for the Yankees Organization is to win the World Series. Anything less is a failure, and unacceptable. The players, manager, coaches, and front office management understand this; and, the fans expect nothing less than “excellence”. This is what Yankees Tradition is all about.
As fans, we thank the Yankees, and the whole Yankees Organization, for all their efforts, and all the enjoyment and memories this final season at the old Yankee Stadium has brought.
We are proud to be fans of the greatest franchise, and team, in the history of baseball, and all sports, the New York Yankees !!!
Yankee Stadium: A Celebration, Not A Good-Bye
Earlier this year, I was blessed to get a ticket for the special Mass by Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, April 20, 2008.
This Mass was at the end of Pope Benedict’s historic visit to the United States in April; and, it was a very beautiful day here in the Bronx, filled with all the spiritual nourishment, and excitement, that everyone would expect from an event of this magnitude.
The whole day was perfect, as I joined with friends, and others, from my Parish Church, sitting in the upper deck in leftfield, by the leftfield foul pole, about ten rows up from the railing. The view was awesome, as we had a perfect view of every part of the great Yankee Stadium, including seeing the Pope’s entrance from the leftfield bullpen, and an angelic sky view of the Altar that was placed at second base, which reached out as if with open arms, to transform the whole Yankee Stadium infield into a shining gem of a diamond that surely reached into Heaven.
Yankee Stadium was filled with grace, and peacefulness on this special day, as the packed Stadium crowd of the faithful were truly blessed to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. It is a day I will always remember; and, certainly is my most memorable moment of being inside Yankee Stadium.
At the time I said, “if attending this special Mass would be my last time in the old Yankee Stadium, and the only time I would be fortunate enough to be at Yankee Stadium this year, the final year of it’s historic existence, then so be it”. I cannot think of a greater memory that I would rather have of Yankee Stadium, than being part of a Mass celebrated by the Pope, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.
As it turned out, that was my final visit to the old Yankee Stadium.
I did have a couple of possible opportunities to get tickets to a few games this year from friends, but those games were dependent on whether or not others would use the tickets, or, in some cases, if the tickets were even available.
Anyway, it was not meant to be, for me, to attend any games in 2008, the final year the Yankees will play at the old Yankee Stadium. But, I’m totally at peace as I reflect on the great history of Yankee Stadium.
I feel blessed to have been able to attend the special Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI; and, like I said in the title of this post, the last game at Yankee Stadium is: “A Celebration, Not A Good-Bye”.
As a long-time, die-hard, Yankees fan, I do have many other great memories of the Yankees; and, also, being at Yankee Stadium throughout the years, including attending the final home game of the 2007 season; and, actually being at the final game of the original Yankee Stadium, back on September 30, 1973.
So, I look forward to reflecting back on these memories over the next few weeks, and will share some of my thoughts in future posts.
All are welcome to travel on this mini-journey with me, as I reflect on my memories as a fan of the greatest team in the history of baseball, and all sports, the New York Yankees.
Mussina; Abreu Make Solid Case For Return In ’09
When Mike Mussina walked off the mound after facing one batter in the top of the 7th inning, in yesterday’s 9-2 Yankees victory over the Chicago White Sox, the sold-out Yankee Stadium crowd gave Mussina a very warm round of applause, mixed in with shouts of “Mooooose”.
Maybe, many in the crowd had the thought that this could be the final pitching performance by Mike Mussina in a Yankees uniform at Yankee Stadium [old or new].
Moose tipped his cap, and waved it high into the air to the cheering crowd, as he entered the Yankees dugout. It should not be for the final time, though, as a New York Yankee at Yankee Stadium. Mussina’s awesome pitching effort this year was underlined with his great effort last night. Mike Mussina has earned at least a new two-year contract, which hopefully will lead the Yankees to another couple of World Championships, as we all enjoy traveling with Mussina on his journey to 300 career wins.
Mike Mussina threw 97 pitches, over six strong innings, allowing only one run, on five hits, two walks, and four strikeouts, to lower his ERA to 3.57, while raising his won-loss record to 18-9. It took two weeks for Mussina to reach 18 wins; and, with any luck in a few of his past starts this season, Mussina would have already won his 20th game. But, with two more starts to go, his first 20-win season is still in sight.
Also, this was another Yankee game in which more history was made at Yankee Stadium. The win by Mike Mussina was his 268th career victory, tying him with Jim Palmer for 33rd on the all-time win list. With each Mike Mussina victory, it looks more and more like Mussina’s path will lead to the Hall of Fame when his playing days are over.
In the Yankees 9-2 victory, it was the power of Bobby Abreu who helped seal Mike Mussina’s 18th win.
Bobby Abreu (3-for-5), with 6 RBI’s, had one of his best games of the year, hitting two long homeruns – a picture-perfect, two-run homer, deep into the upper rightfield seats in the first inning; and, a long solo shot into the right-centerfeld bleachers in the third inning, both off White Sox starter, Javier Vasquez (12-14), who has now allowed Abreu 9 homeruns throughout his career.
Abreu is now batting .299, with 19 homeruns, and 95 RBI’s, and clearly made a statement last night, [and, this season], that he should be re-signed by the Yankees, for at least the next three years.
The Yankees have to make many moves this off-season; and, the first two of these moves should be the re-signing of Mike Mussina and Bobby Abreu. In my view, both players are very important to the foundation of the next few Yankee seasons. They provide proven all-star experience that is needed [as a good mix] with all the young prospects the Yankees will have on their roster.
Whatever moves the Yankees make in the off-season, “money should not be an issue” when considering which players to re-sign, or which free-agents to bring to New York. This philosophy should start with the re-signing of both Mike Mussina and Bobby Abreu.
Always Great Moments At Yankee Stadium
Even though the 2008 baseball season has not gone well for the Yankees, history is still being made at Yankee Stadium.
The most recent historic events that have taken place at the House That Ruth Built, were milestones achieved by future Hall of Famers, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter.
In the Yankees 4-2 win against the Chicago White Sox, in the first game of this current four-game home stand, The Great Mariano recorded his 479th career save, moving him into second place on the all-time save’s list. The San Diego Padres,Trevor Hoffman with 552 career saves, is number one on the all-time list.
With his save in this series, Mariano Rivera is now 36 for 37 in save opportunities this season. This has been one of Rivera’s best seasons in his long distinguished career with the Yankees; and, without “The Great Mariano”, the Yankees 2008 season would have been over a long time ago. Both, Mike Mussina and Mariano Rivera have been the Yankees MVP’s this year.
Last night, it was Derek Jeter who made more history at Yankee Stadium, in the Yankees 6-2 loss to the White Sox.
In the first inning, Jeter got his historic 1,270th hit, that moved him past the great Lou Gehrig into first place on the all-time hit list at Yankee Stadium. This is a record that Derek Jeter can only add to, as he did with hit number 1,271 later in this game, because after the Yankees play their final game at the Stadium on Sunday September 21, 2008, the history book will be closed on records at the “old” Yankee Stadium, and ”the captain” Derek Jeter will forever hold the all-time hit total at the original Yankee Stadium.
Congratulations to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Both are future “Hall of Famers”; but, more importantly, they are two of the greatest players ever, to play for the New York Yankees, and grace the beautiful baseball diamonds of our great game of Baseball.
Update: Thursday, September 18, 2008 — The Yankees won game three of this four game series against the Chicago White Sox, 5-1.
History was made again in this game, as Derek Jeter played in his 1,000th game at Yankee Stadium. The only other Yankee players to play over 1,000 games at the Stadium, are: Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Bernie Williams.
Alex Rodriguez also made history last night, when he hit his 35th homerun of the year in the eighth inning. This homer marks the 12th year that A-Rod has hit 35 or more homeruns in a season, which places him with Babe Ruth as the only two players in baseball history to achieve this feat.
Also, with his homer, Alex Rodriguez became the first player in history to hit at least 35 homeruns and drive home at least 100 runs in 12 separate baseball seasons. This accomplishment passed Babe Ruth, who had 11 seasons with 35 homers, and at least 100 RBI’s.
And, finally, as if the Yankees need more historic moments to celebrate in this final season at the “old” Yankee Stadium, Bernie Williams is scheduled to appear at the Stadium’s final game on Sunday, September 21th. It will be Bernie’s first time back to the Stadium since he played his last game for the New York Yankees.
Now, Bernie Williams never “officially” retired from baseball; and, this fueled some interesting talk on Michael Kay’s 1050 ESPN New York radio show today. In a conversation with a caller, a thought was discussed regarding, what a great idea it would be, if the Yankees activated Bernie Williams right before the game, and actually placed him in the lineup, as the starting centerfielder.
Bernie has said he still works out, and is in baseball shape. So, if this were to happen, [remember, it was only a thought that was discussed on a Sports Talk Radio Program -- a very fun thought, I would add], I think this would be another classic moment in Yankee Stadium history, with Bernie Williams getting a chance to play one more time in centerfield , get at least one more at-bat, and then retire, after this historic last game at Yankee Stadium. And, Bernie’s # 51 ? Should his number be retired ? Well, that would be ”icing on the cake”, and just one more extra special moment to celebrate at Yankee Stadium.
Oh, how great it is to be a Yankees fan !!!
The New York Yankees: History, Tradition, and Greatness !!!
Yankees Playing For Pride And Tradition
Babe Ruth would have been proud of the Yankees last night as they looked like the Bronx Bombers of old, slugging three homeruns, in their 7-1 victory over the L.A. Angels.
The Babe also probably tipped his hat to Derek Jeter, after the “captain” singled in the first inning to move ahead of Ruth into second place on the all-time Yankees hit list. For Jeter it was hit number 2,519; and, when coupled with Jeter’s second hit [2,520] later in the game, Derek is now only behind Lou Gehrig, who is the Yankees all-time hit leader with 2,721 career hits.
As the great Dodgers broadcaster, Vince Scully would say, “Derek Jeter is now in the high-rent district of Yankees greatness and tradition, along with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig”.
In a few more years, Jeter will have his own zip code of greatness, when he becomes the only New York Yankee player to reach 3,000 hits. If he stays healthy, and plays at least another 7 years, Derek Jeter should be at about 3,700 hits at that time; and, who knows, after that 2015 season if Jeter continues to play, 4,000 lifetime hits is not out of the question.
Rebounding from their very embarrassing 12-1 loss to the Angels in game one of this three-game series, the Yankees took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning of the middle game against the AL West leaders.
Alex Rodriguez led off the second inning with a single, and was followed by Jason Giambi getting hit by a pitch, setting-up a first and second situation, with no outs, and Xavier Nady coming up to the plate. Nady pulled a ball to leftfield that was almost caught by Angels leftfielder, Reggie Willits, but bounced off his glove for a RBI double, as he tried to make the catch.
On the hit, Rodriguez scored, and it looked like the Yankees were ready to break this game wide open, with runners on second and third and no outs. But, what followed really sums up the whole Yankees season, and why the Bombers are in fourth place battling the Blue Jays for third; and, not in the middle of the pennant race for first place in the AL East with the Rays and Red Sox.
Hideki Matsui had first crack to drive home a couple of runs, but struck-out. Robinson Cano was up next, and he also struck-out, for the second out of the inning. Then, with two opportunities wasted, to drive home at least “one run” from third with less than two outs, Chad Moeller lined out to left for the final out of the inning.
The Yankees led the game 1-0, but we have seen this sad act played-out many times this season, with many different combinations of players, all failing in exactly the same situation. Way too many runners left on base, and not being able to drive home runners from third with less than two outs, in addition to many other factors, have all led to the Yankees sinking in deep water, without a life raft, drowning in fourth place in the AL East.
The Yankees held this 1-0 lead as they entered the top of the 6th, when they finally did break this game open a bit, increasing their lead to 4-0, on a three-run homerun by Alex Rodriguez, that drove home Derek Jeter, who was on third because of a three-base error by Gary Matthews, Jr., and Bobby Abreu, who reached first on a walk.
The Angels scored their only run in the bottom of the 6th inning, cutting the Bombers lead to 4-1.
In the top of the 7th, Chad Moeller singled, and scored on a two-run homer by Johnny Damon, that upped the Yankees lead to 6-1, and knocked Angels starter, Ervin Santana (15-6) out of the game.
Meanwhile, Yankees starting pitcher, Alfredo Aceves, who was making his first start for the Yanks, was throwing a beautiful game.
Aceves (1-0) pitched seven solid innings, throwing 89 pitches, allowing only one run, on five hits, no walks, and two strikeouts. This was an outstanding starting performance by Alfredo Aceves, who had many friends and family members in attendance supporting his great pitching effort. The future looks bright for Aceves, and the Yankees starting rotation, if Alfredo continues to throw the way he did last night.
Johnny Damon hit his second homer of the game, a solo homerun in the top of the 9th, to complete the scoring in this game; and, Bruney [8th]; Marte [9th]; pitched two scoreless innings, that closed out the Yankees 7-1 victory.
The Yankees are now 5-4 on this very long ten-game road trip. With one more game remaining, against the Angels Wednesday afternoon [Sept. 10th], the Yankees are playing for pride and respect of the great Yankees tradition.
No matter how this season ends, the New York Yankees are, and will always be, the greatest team in the history of baseball, and the history of all sports.
Go Yankees !!!
Update: The Yankees lost the final game of the three-game series against the L.A. Angels, 4-2, to end this 10-game road trip with a 5-5 record. Andy Pettitte was the losing pitcher, and now has a 13-13 record this season. Not much more to say as the 2008 Yankees season is fading away, and will be remembered as one of the most disappointing seasons in New York Yankees history.
The Yankees return back to the Bronx, New York, to play the final 10 games at the old Yankee Stadium, starting Friday, September 12, 2008. Then, they finish the 2008 season, by playing six road games, ending with a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, September 26, 27, and 28, 2008.
As I stated in the title of this post: “The Yankees are now playing for pride and tradition”.
Yanks Drop Into 4th Place; Almost Out Of Playoff Race
A disastrous season continues to become even more of a disaster, as the Yankees lost 5-2 to the Mariners in Seattle yesterday. The loss, coupled with the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, resulted in the Bronx Bombers falling into fourth place behind the Blue Jays in the AL EAST.
The Yankees are now 4-3 [so far] on this ten-game road trip, when they really needed to be 7-0. They now head down the west coast to play a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels in which the Yankees desperately must win ”all” three games for any chance to make the playoffs this year.
But, even if the Yankees sweep the Angels, time may have already run out for the Bombers. Any combination of 12 Yankee losses, and, or, 12 Red Sox wins, will eliminate the New York Yankees from the wild card in the American League playoffs in 2008.
Also, in the 5-2 loss, Mike Mussina (17-8) failed to get his 18th win; and, now it looks like his first 20-win season may not happen. Mussina will probably get four more starts, and is capable of pitching good enough to win three of those four starts. But, Mike Mussina cannot do it on his own.
The Yankees had opportunities to score some more runs in yesterday’s game, but, again, left runners on base, including Robinson Cano not being able to drive home a runner from third base, with less than two outs in the fourth inning; and, Alex Rodriguez getting picked off first base, with Derek Jeter at second base, on a play that looked like A-Rod was sleeping as the first baseman raced to first to start the run-down that resulted in the out — ending another possible rally in the 5th inning.
And, so it goes. As the Yankees lineup continues to leave runners on base, and not score runs, then, it really doesn’t matter how well the starters pitch. The losses will continue to be recorded, and the Yankees will fail to make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. With 19 games remaining, it seems almost impossible that the playoffs will include the Yankees in 2008.
The only good news in yesterday’s game, was Derek Jeter reaching two milestones.
Jeter drove home his 1,000th run of his career, when he hit his 10th homer of the year in the first inning; and, then, Derek hit a single in the third inning, his 2,518th career hit, that tied Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time Yankees hit list.
After Derek Jeter passes Babe Ruth, he will set his sights on Lou Gehrig, who tops the Yankees hit list with 2,721. Jeter should reach that total in the beginning of the 2010 season.
Derek Jeter will then look to become the first Yankee player to get 3,000 career hits. That should happen sometime at the end of the 2011 season.
Congratulations to the captain, Derek Jeter.
Two Wins Against Rays Are Just Not Enough
The Yankees entered yesterday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays riding a three-game winning streak, taking the first three games of this very important ten-game road trip they are now on. But, the Bombers lost 7-5 to the Rays last night, to fall 11 games behind the first place Rays; and 8 games behind the Boston Red Sox, as the season continues to fade away.
To state the obvious, with 22 games remaining, time is running out for the New York Yankees.
I open this forum for all your thoughts …
– How will the Yankees 2008 season end ?
– What do the Yankees have to do to improve the team in 2009 ?
– Are there any other concerns regarding the whole Yankees Organization ?
Let the discussion begin !!!
Mussina Wins 17th … Yankees Still Standing
After losing two-out-of-three games to the Boston Red Sox and two-out-of-three games to the Toronto Blue Jays, in New York; then winning the first game of this ten-game road trip, a one game make-up game against the Detroit Tigers — the Yankees still continue to fight, as they beat the first place Rays 7-2 last night in Tampa Bay.
Mike Mussina (17-7) pitched six strong innings, throwing 104 pitches, giving up only two runs, on ten hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts, to earn his 17th victory of the season. Mussina now has 267 career wins, moving him ahead of Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey, for sole possession of 34th place on the all-time wins list.
Three Yankee relievers, Marte, Chamberlain, and Giese, closed out this 7-2 win, by pitching three scoreless innings. The bullpen appearances included the return of both Joba Chamberlain and Dan Giese from the disabled list.
With the Rays leading, 1-0, going into the top of the 4th inning, the Yankees scored three runs to go ahead for good in this game, 3-1.
The first Yankee run scored on a RBI sac-fly by Jason Giambi. Then, with one runner on base, Xavier Nady hit a long two-run homerun, deep into the catwalk up on the leftfield roof. The moon shot, inside the Tampa Bay Dome, looked like a scene from the great baseball movie “The Natural”.
The Yankees scored two more runs in the 5th; and, another run in the 6th inning, to up their lead to 6-1.
Rays starter, Garza (11-8) was finished after throwing 100 pitches over five innings of work, allowing, six runs (four earned), on five hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.
Tampa Bay cut the lead to 6-2 with a run in the bottom of the 7th; and, then, with no pressure left in this game, Alex Rodriguez hit a “meaningless” 8th inning homerun, a tack-on run, that completed the scoring in the Yankees 7-2 victory.
After hitting into 11 double plays in the month of August, and totally not getting many clutch hits [at all] this season — it is not exciting for his Yankees fan [and, I'm sure many others] to see A-Rod hit a homerun, in a game situation like in the 8th inning of yesterday’s win over the Rays.
The Yankees have now won two-games in a row on this very crucial ten-game road trip. So, with eight games left on this “up-hill” road journey, the Bronx Bombers just have to keep winning ball games for any chance to get into the playoffs this year.
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