Game 14 - Thank God the Athletics Can't Hit

In a battle of teams who struggle driving in runs, the Yanks used their second inning-four run rally stand up, as they held off the A's, 5-3.  Finally surmounting a rally without the aid of the long ball, the Yanks had a 2-run single from Brett Gardner and RBI singles from Damon and Teixeira.  The inning may have gone longer if Damon hadn't gotten thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.  Damon would redeem himself later with a solo HR in the 6th.  

Andy Pettitte (2-0) picked up the victory, scattering 9 hits over 7 innings.  Except for the 2 runs he allowed in the fourth, Pettitte never allowed the A's to get the big hit, stranding 3 runners at third.  His defense was also stellar behind him, with Gardner making a monster catch in deep center off of Giambi and Teixeira turning a nifty double play with Posada.   The Hammer of God (Mariano) picked up his 4th save of the season.  

Speaking of Giambi, Yankee fans showed true class by greeting him with a standing ovation in his first at bat.  Perhaps Oakland fans (apologies to my wife, who's an A's fan) should take a lesson - they booed Giambi upon his return to Oakland when he signed with the Yanks, despite the fact he wanted to re-sign with Oakland with a no trade clause.  I'd say Red Sox fans should also learn some class from their rivals, but we all know that's genetically impossible.  They booed Johnny Damon upon his initial return to Boston after signing with the Yanks, although it was he who personally destroyed the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs.  How quick they forget.

Yankee Bomber Doghouse:  Mr. Interstate, Cody Ransom makes the list (again and again and again).  He weakly popped out to short RF with men on second and third base and no outs, failing once again to get the run in.  The good news for Cody is he went 1-4 (albeit with 2 Ks), raising his average from .150 to a robust .159.  A sac fly, a sac fly, my kingdom for a sac fly.  This team was at or near the bottom of MLB in sac flies last year and so far, they're off to a good start at repeating last year's pitiful performance.

Yankees Record:  8-6