The Pinstripers knocked out Santana in the 4th, scoring 9 more runs in the inning that was highlighted by Hideki Matsui's and Robinson Cano's HRs. AJ Burnett followed up his stinker in Boston with 7 shutout innings, limiting the Metropolitans to 4 hits while striking out 8. He wiggled out of a bases loaded jam in the top half of the 3rd after the Yanks gave him a 4-spot. He struck out Yankee pest, Alex Cora, and then Fernando Martinez, before Carlos Beltran ended the threat by lining out to the Captain.
After losing yesterday's game that looked favorably for the Yanks against a pitcher who hadn't started in the Majors since 2006, they were able to turn the tide today in the rubber match. The Mets must have liked their chances with one of the best pitchers in baseball on the mound, but Santana didn't have his stuff today. The long 2nd inning certainly did him in. The Yanks improved to 8-1 in series clinching games. With Boston's loss today, the closed within 2 games for the division lead. 99 games left in the season. I'm predicting Yanks go 60-40 for their last 100 games to make the playoffs.
Yankees Record: 36-27
Don't look now but the AL East is shaping up to be every bit as tough as predicted. The Yanks and Sox are playing some pretty good ball, the Rays have been hot lately making a run, and I'm not convinced the Jays are going to fall like everyone says. I have a feeling that whichever team that makes the most successful (biggest impact) trade will take the division.
ReplyDeleteBy the way has anyone seen how the Dodgers are doing without Manny? 21-14 and best record in baseball, they must have one of the best managers in the bigs. How could any team let him go? Baffling!
I also wanted to thank the Yankees for helping David "Big Papi" Ortiz get his average over the Mendoza line and double his season homerun total.
So far it's been an enjoyable season and here's to (I'm lifiting my glass) the Yankee Stadium engineers not finding a workable solution to routine flyballs finding a way into the seats and free agent pitchers choosing Kansas City and Pittsburgh over the Bronx.
Until next time Go Sawx!!!!
The East is a beast. I'm not sure how the Rays or Jays are doing it. The Rays are banged up, missing their middle infielders while their bullpen is terrible and the Jays have no one beyond Roy Halladay. Perhaps the East competition has made the rest of the league look like chumps to them.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the Sawx ducked another ace starter, this time in Philly. They avoided Cole Hamels and on the season, have missed CC twice, although he finally pitched against them last series, Roy Halladay twice and Justin Verlander. I'm starting to believe the Good Lord is a Sawx fan, but I don't know why.
Big Sloppy's "eye doctor" has done him wonders - I see he hit another HR tonight, too. And by eye doctor, I mean supplier. Probably Varitek's guy.
As for the "genius" in LA, if you take a closer look, they are only 14-12 against teams with a winning record without the Manny. Smells like another first round exit to me. That's what got him shitcanned from NY in the first place - complacency with just making the playoffs.