08/24: Pavano Does Job, Wins First Game Since 2007
Posted by: Seamus
Carl Pavano did just enough in his 2008 debut and a couple of Yankee home runs helped the team defeat the Orioles by a score of 5-3. Pavano recorded his first win since April 9 of last year. Losses by both teams with "Sox" in their name helped bring the Yankees within 5 games of Boston and 4.5 games of Chicago in the wild card race.
Carl Pavano wasn't fantastic in his first Major League outing of the season, but he wasn't terrible, either. He got out of a major jam in the first inning, mostly thanks to a weird-looking, unassisted double play turned by Robinson Cano. He had a rough second inning, as he allowed three runs. His only 1-2-3 inning came in the 3rd. His location was off, which you might expect from a pitcher who hasn't pitched in a major league game in 16 months, and that drove up his pitch count, as well. When it was all said and done, Pavano threw 91 pitches, struck out five, allowed seven hits, and allowed three runs in five innings, just as I told a more pessimistic Patrick he would. (/gloat)
The Yanks bounced back after the Orioles' 3-run inning off of Pavano in the 2nd, as a two-run homer by Jason Giambi put the Yankees back up by a score of 4-3. Hideki Matsui put the cap on with a solo shot of his own in the 7th to make it 5-3.
The bullpen was great, as Brian Bruney, Jose Veras and Mariano Rivera pitched a combined four scoreless innings. Rivera recored his 30th save this season in his 31st opportunity.
The Yankees will go for the sweep this afternoon at 1:05 ET as Darrell Rasner will take the mound for the Bombers. Rasner might have to get shelled in this one, as the Yankees are 1-2 in games in which he allows one run or less. Rasner's Orioles' counterpart will be the enigmatic Daniel Cabrera. This will be a huge opportunity for the Yankees, and if they can cut the lead to four games heading into this week's series against Boston, they'll be in a real position to get back in this thing.
Carl Pavano wasn't fantastic in his first Major League outing of the season, but he wasn't terrible, either. He got out of a major jam in the first inning, mostly thanks to a weird-looking, unassisted double play turned by Robinson Cano. He had a rough second inning, as he allowed three runs. His only 1-2-3 inning came in the 3rd. His location was off, which you might expect from a pitcher who hasn't pitched in a major league game in 16 months, and that drove up his pitch count, as well. When it was all said and done, Pavano threw 91 pitches, struck out five, allowed seven hits, and allowed three runs in five innings, just as I told a more pessimistic Patrick he would. (/gloat)
The Yanks bounced back after the Orioles' 3-run inning off of Pavano in the 2nd, as a two-run homer by Jason Giambi put the Yankees back up by a score of 4-3. Hideki Matsui put the cap on with a solo shot of his own in the 7th to make it 5-3.
The bullpen was great, as Brian Bruney, Jose Veras and Mariano Rivera pitched a combined four scoreless innings. Rivera recored his 30th save this season in his 31st opportunity.
The Yankees will go for the sweep this afternoon at 1:05 ET as Darrell Rasner will take the mound for the Bombers. Rasner might have to get shelled in this one, as the Yankees are 1-2 in games in which he allows one run or less. Rasner's Orioles' counterpart will be the enigmatic Daniel Cabrera. This will be a huge opportunity for the Yankees, and if they can cut the lead to four games heading into this week's series against Boston, they'll be in a real position to get back in this thing.
