Amazingly enough, the first inning went quickly and quietly, as both pitchers retired the side. Cano got things started with a homer in the 2nd - solo, of course, because Cano has no clue how to hit with men on. I feel like a broken record when it comes to Cano, as he left 2 more men in scoring position tonight.
Joba looked real good for 2 innings, but took a trip on the wild side in the 3rd. He walked the light-hitting Brian Schneider and the punchless Alex Cora, before hitting the overmatched Fernando Martinez to load the bases for Carlos Beltran. Joba walked him after a 10-pitch battle, tying the game at 1. It looked like Joba would work out of trouble when he struck out the dangerous David Wright, but then he hit Ryan Church with a pitch, gift-wrapping 2 runs without a single hit for the Mets. It also took him a whopping 43 pitches to get out of the inning.
The Yanks took the lead for the second time in the 3rd on Mark Teixeira's league leading 20th HR. The 2-run shot put the Yanks up 3-2. Joba ruined the good mood in the 4th. After quickly retiring the first 2 batters, he walked the equally punchless Luis Castillo and Cora (his 2nd walk) before getting out unscathed. Unfortunately, that frame cost Joba another 25 pitches, giving him an even 100 on the night, only 52 for strikes. It also ended Joba's night after 4 innings. He only allowed 1 hit, but his 5 walks and numerous full counts did him in. Joba and Jorge Posada didn't connect all night on signs, as Joba continually shook him off and Jorge wore out a path to the mound. Jorge, at one point, barked at Joba, probably telling him to stop throwing breaking balls and throw his damn fastball. Joba just wouldn't ease up on the slider tonight, despite having no control with it. Why anyone with a plus 90's fastball would shy away from using it is astounding.
Enter Bret Tomko in the 5th - goodbye Yankee lead. He got shelled for 4 runs, including a bomb to ol' Yankee buddy, Gary Sheffield. The Yanks have been very charitable this week to struggling, overaged sluggers (see: Ortiz, David). The Captain, Derek Jeter, got one back in the bottom frame with a solo shot, bringing the Yanks within 6-4. Hernandez, despite yielding 3 homers, was being efficient, not allowing the Yanks any rallies - until the 6th. With 1 out, Cano singled (again, no men on) and Posada walked. Mets manager, Jerry Manuel brought in freshly called up lefty, Jon Switzer, to face birthday boy, Hideki Matsui. Last year, I saw Matsui hit a grand slam, live, at Oakland. This year, I watched him take Switzer's first pitch on TV and deposit it into the rightfield seats. With the game's 5th lead change, the Yanks went up 7-6.
It didn't stay that way for long, as ol' man Sheff led off the 7th with a gapper for a double. 2 batters later, the game was tied. In the bottom frame, both ARod and Cano (seeing a pattern here with this guy?) left a man on 2nd. In the top of the 8th, Phil Coke quickly retired the first 2 hitters. He retired the last 4 overall. Joe Girardi then panicked. Apparently, he spent most of his day reading Yankee blogs or listening to the sports radio about how he should have used Mariano Rivera in the 8th against Boston yesterday. I thought Girardi was in a tough spot in yesterday's loss and gave him a pass. Not today. As soon as he called for Mo to face Beltran, I didn't understand why he would turn the switch-hitter around to bat left-handed at Yankee Stadium. Mo walked Beltran and then gave up a run scoring double to David Wright. Absolute terrible call. And historically, Mo is not as dominant when he enters a game tied.
Entering the bottom of the 9th, trailing 8-7, things looked grim for the Yanks as KRod entered the game, a perfect 16-16 in save situations. The Captain provided a small window of hope as he singled with 1 out. He stole second on Johnny Damon's strike out, leaving it up to Big Tex. KRod pitched around Tex, bringing up ARod. He fell behind ARod, and to my horrors, I was afraid he would walk ARod, too, and leave the fate of the game in Robinson Cano's hands. It never got that far - on a 3-1 count, ARod lifted a popup towards 2B. Angrily slamming his bat to the ground as he trotted to first, Mets 2nd basemen Castillo circled under the ball - and dropped it! Jeter scored and Big Tex hustled all the way from 1B with the miraculous winning run. It looked like the bad dream of a little leaguer and it's something I've never seen end a baseball game (the Bill Buckner play comes the closest thing to it).
For one night - the sins of Cano, Rivera and Girardi could be forgotten as the Yankees bless their good fortune.
Yankees Record: 35-26
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