05/28: Yankees Lose Lead 3 Times, Fall to Orioles in 11
Posted by: Patrick
On Tuesday night (and into Wednesday morning), the Yankees and Orioles had a slug fest that featured nine home runs, where the Yankees gained - and subsequently lost - the lead at three different points of the game.
The first time came in the second inning, where the Yankees scored 4 runs to make it 4-0, Bombers. All four runs came on homers - a solo shot by Jason Giambi and a three run home run by Johnny Damon, scoring Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano.
But, the Orioles answered right back in the bottom half of the second, off of starter Ian Kennedy. They took him deep twice for three of the runs. The fourth was unearned, thanks to a throwing error by A-Rod.
The Yankees grabbed the lead again in the fourth, thanks to another four spot. An RBI single by Jeter, scored Damon. And then back to back jacks by Bobby Abreu and A-Rod scored three more, including Jeter. 8-4, Yankees.
Kennedy pitched a scoreless third inning, but was removing after completing it, due to a strained right lat muscle. He'll be heading to the DL.
Replacing Kennedy was Ross Ohlendorf. After a scoreless fourth, Ross gave all four runs right back to the Orioles on three homers in the bottom of the fifth. Melvin Mora, Luke Scott and Kevin Millar connected to tie it up at 8.
After retiring the first batter in the sixth, Edwar Ramirez relieved Ohlendorf. Though he allowed 3 hits over his 1 and 1/3 innings, he walked no one and kept the game tied, giving way to Kyle Farnsworth with two outs in the seventh. With Kevin Millar at second, Ramon Hernandez singled to right. Abreu gunned Millar down at the plate, though it looked like he may have been safe. Farnsworth navigated his way through a scoreless eighth.
With rain pouring down in the top of the 9th, 2 out and Jonnny Damon on second, the O's intentionally walked A-Rod. He and Damon proceeded to steal both of the bases ahead of them, leaving runners at second and third with Hideki Matsui. Joe Girardi came out and plead with the umps to stop the game, but they declined. Matsui lined out to end the threat.
The umps did delay the game after Matsui was out, however, for 67 minutes. When the game returned (and after I went to bed), Mariano entered to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He made quick work of the heart of the Orioles' order, retiring Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, to send the game into extras.
After the Yankees offense logged their sixth consecutive scoreless frame, Mo came back out to pitch the bottom of the tenth. He got into a little more trouble this time around, but came through unscathed: ground out, double, strike out, walk, fly out.
Finally, in the top of the eleventh, we have a break through. Johnny Damon walked and Jeter reached on a bunt single. Both Damon and Jeter advanced a base thanks to a throwing error by Melvin Mora. Bobby Abreu was intentionally walked to load the bases for A-Rod. Sounds good, right? Uh... say hello to the worst possible outcome (outside of a triple play, of course).
A-Rod manages to hit into a 4-2-5 double play. Brian Roberts fields A-Rod's ground ball, throws home to catcher Guillermo Quiroz, who forces out Damon, and then throws over to Melvin Mora at third base to force Jeter. We go from bases loaded, no outs with our clean up hitter up - to first and second, 2 outs and no runs scored. Ouch.
Hideki Matsui would get another chance with a runner in scoring position and two outs. He came through - singling in Abreu to give the Yankees the lead.
Heading into the bottom of the 11th, Mariano had thrown 31 pitches and was no relieved by LaTroy Hawkins. Starters and Joba withheld, the only other option was Jose Veras. Hawkins would only retire one batter. It went like this: single, fly out, run scoring double with runner advancing to third on throw, intentional walk, intentional walk to load bases and, finally, walk off single. Hawkins gets tagged with both a blown save and a loss and his ERA moves up to 6.75.
Every Yankee, except for Jose Molina, got a hit in this game with Johnny Damon leading the way, going 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, a walk and stolen base. Jeter was 2 for 5 with a run, 2 RBI and a stolen base. Abreu was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks. A-Rod was 1 for 5 with a home run, run, RBI and stolen base. Matsui was 1 for 6 with an RBI. Giambi was 2 for 6 with a double, home run, run and RBI. Betemit was 2 for 5 with a run. Cano was 1 for 5 with 1 run. Finally, Molina was 0 for 5.
Tonight, at 7:05 PM ET, we'll have Andy Pettitte (4-5, 4.27) going against Jeremy Guthrie (2-5, 3.62).
The first time came in the second inning, where the Yankees scored 4 runs to make it 4-0, Bombers. All four runs came on homers - a solo shot by Jason Giambi and a three run home run by Johnny Damon, scoring Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano.
But, the Orioles answered right back in the bottom half of the second, off of starter Ian Kennedy. They took him deep twice for three of the runs. The fourth was unearned, thanks to a throwing error by A-Rod.
The Yankees grabbed the lead again in the fourth, thanks to another four spot. An RBI single by Jeter, scored Damon. And then back to back jacks by Bobby Abreu and A-Rod scored three more, including Jeter. 8-4, Yankees.
Kennedy pitched a scoreless third inning, but was removing after completing it, due to a strained right lat muscle. He'll be heading to the DL.
Replacing Kennedy was Ross Ohlendorf. After a scoreless fourth, Ross gave all four runs right back to the Orioles on three homers in the bottom of the fifth. Melvin Mora, Luke Scott and Kevin Millar connected to tie it up at 8.
After retiring the first batter in the sixth, Edwar Ramirez relieved Ohlendorf. Though he allowed 3 hits over his 1 and 1/3 innings, he walked no one and kept the game tied, giving way to Kyle Farnsworth with two outs in the seventh. With Kevin Millar at second, Ramon Hernandez singled to right. Abreu gunned Millar down at the plate, though it looked like he may have been safe. Farnsworth navigated his way through a scoreless eighth.
With rain pouring down in the top of the 9th, 2 out and Jonnny Damon on second, the O's intentionally walked A-Rod. He and Damon proceeded to steal both of the bases ahead of them, leaving runners at second and third with Hideki Matsui. Joe Girardi came out and plead with the umps to stop the game, but they declined. Matsui lined out to end the threat.
The umps did delay the game after Matsui was out, however, for 67 minutes. When the game returned (and after I went to bed), Mariano entered to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He made quick work of the heart of the Orioles' order, retiring Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, to send the game into extras.
After the Yankees offense logged their sixth consecutive scoreless frame, Mo came back out to pitch the bottom of the tenth. He got into a little more trouble this time around, but came through unscathed: ground out, double, strike out, walk, fly out.
Finally, in the top of the eleventh, we have a break through. Johnny Damon walked and Jeter reached on a bunt single. Both Damon and Jeter advanced a base thanks to a throwing error by Melvin Mora. Bobby Abreu was intentionally walked to load the bases for A-Rod. Sounds good, right? Uh... say hello to the worst possible outcome (outside of a triple play, of course).
A-Rod manages to hit into a 4-2-5 double play. Brian Roberts fields A-Rod's ground ball, throws home to catcher Guillermo Quiroz, who forces out Damon, and then throws over to Melvin Mora at third base to force Jeter. We go from bases loaded, no outs with our clean up hitter up - to first and second, 2 outs and no runs scored. Ouch.
Hideki Matsui would get another chance with a runner in scoring position and two outs. He came through - singling in Abreu to give the Yankees the lead.
Heading into the bottom of the 11th, Mariano had thrown 31 pitches and was no relieved by LaTroy Hawkins. Starters and Joba withheld, the only other option was Jose Veras. Hawkins would only retire one batter. It went like this: single, fly out, run scoring double with runner advancing to third on throw, intentional walk, intentional walk to load bases and, finally, walk off single. Hawkins gets tagged with both a blown save and a loss and his ERA moves up to 6.75.
Every Yankee, except for Jose Molina, got a hit in this game with Johnny Damon leading the way, going 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, a walk and stolen base. Jeter was 2 for 5 with a run, 2 RBI and a stolen base. Abreu was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks. A-Rod was 1 for 5 with a home run, run, RBI and stolen base. Matsui was 1 for 6 with an RBI. Giambi was 2 for 6 with a double, home run, run and RBI. Betemit was 2 for 5 with a run. Cano was 1 for 5 with 1 run. Finally, Molina was 0 for 5.
Tonight, at 7:05 PM ET, we'll have Andy Pettitte (4-5, 4.27) going against Jeremy Guthrie (2-5, 3.62).
James wrote: