Game 120 - Sabathia and The Captain Get Yanks Back on Track

The Captain continues to rake and their ace stepped up and halted their 2-game losing streak, as the Yanks prevailed over the Oakland Athletics, 7-2. Derek Jeter collected his 3rd straight 3-hit game and knocked in the go-ahead run in the 6th, as the Yankee bats finally broke out and rallied for 5 runs after leaving men all over the place in the first 5 frames.

CC Sabathia, with the exception of 2 solo shots in the 1st and 2nd innings, dominated an overmatched A's lineup. He tossed 8 solid innings, giving up 5 hits while striking out 7. He only needed 94 pitches as he relied mostly on his fastball. David Robertson came on in the final inning to wrap up the victory. For a moment, it looked like he contracted a mild form of Rick Ankiel disease, walking the first 2 batters on pitches that weren't even close to the plate, but settled down to retire the side, including 2 on Ks.

Through 5 innings, the Yanks left 8 men on base and went 1-7 with RISP. They managed to score their runs on an Adam Kennedy error and Jorge Posada's RBI ground-rule double. Posada, perhaps feeling the ghost of ex-Yankee, ex-Athletic, speedster, Rickey Henderson, thought he could reach 3rd when a pitch got away from catcher, Kurt Suzuki. He was gunned down by 10 feet easily, ending the inning and adding to his long, long resumé of stupid base running mistakes (I haven't forgotten about that non-slide against Boston, Jorge). Oakland was kicking the ball all over the place, committing 4 errors in the game, but the Yanks only managed 1 unearned run.

Meanwhile, The Captain has raised his average to .330, going 20 for his last 36. Do I smell an MVP push? I'm sure the sportswriters will once again overlook his season for one of the M&M boys of the Twins, despite their presence in the weak Central Division. Since he set the all-time hit record for shortstops, there's been debate whether or not he's the best SS of all time. He's one of the most consistent players I've ever seen, not to mention, one of the most clutch performers. He has 4 rings to his name and a World Series MVP. Though not the flashiest of fielders or noted for his range, he fields his position well and most Yankee fans will admit that they never have to worry when the ball is hit to his sure hands. Jeter's got my vote for greatest SS of all-time. He may not have the power seasons of Ernie Banks or ARod or the production of Honus Wagner and Robin Yount, but for the length of time he's manned the 6-hole with his steady production, no one's been better.

Yankees Record: 75-45