04/04: Yankees vs. the Blue Jays; 4/3/08
Posted by: James
It might be that the Yankees offense hasn't quite gotten everything going yet, but is anyone else impressed with the Jay's pitching staff? They have built a pretty solid pitching staff up north and if they were a little better offense...woo, watch out.
As for last night's game, it was a well-pitched ball game that essentially came down to a battle of the bullpens which the Yankees won. Dustin McGowan was on his game last night, holding the Yankees scoreless over the first five innings, but it looked like he tired in the sixth. He was battling the flu...or the dreaded "flu-like symptoms"...so I guess it was to be expected. In any case, the Yankees scored in the sixth on a wild pitch and a sac fly after the first 3 batters of the inning reached. It's a good thing that the Yanks won the game because scoring only 1 run on non-error plays with bases loaded and none out isn't exactly a great outcome.
Phil Hughes had a pretty strong performance, going 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs while striking out 4 and walking one. His velocity was right around 90, for those keeping track (and if the gun is accurate). Still, he kept the Jays off balance most of the night by mixing in a very nice curveball. He gave up a run in the fourth after a Eckstein double and a Alex Rios RBI single and another in the fifth as Marco Scutaro walked and went to third on a Gregg Zaun double and scored on an Eckstein grounder.
Still, it was the Yankees bullpen who came through tonight. Billy Traber, Brian Bruney, Joba and Mo combined for three shutout while the Toronto bullpen gave up the game winning run in the 8th. Melky started off the inning with a single, followed by a misplayed sac bunt from Johnny Damon. Jeter sacrificed the runners over and Melky came around to score on a Bobby Abreu bloop. In came Mo in the ninth and that was the ball game.
In other great news, the minor league season has started as well...Kei Igawa is perfect for the season so far through 6 IP! Sweet.
As for last night's game, it was a well-pitched ball game that essentially came down to a battle of the bullpens which the Yankees won. Dustin McGowan was on his game last night, holding the Yankees scoreless over the first five innings, but it looked like he tired in the sixth. He was battling the flu...or the dreaded "flu-like symptoms"...so I guess it was to be expected. In any case, the Yankees scored in the sixth on a wild pitch and a sac fly after the first 3 batters of the inning reached. It's a good thing that the Yanks won the game because scoring only 1 run on non-error plays with bases loaded and none out isn't exactly a great outcome.
Phil Hughes had a pretty strong performance, going 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs while striking out 4 and walking one. His velocity was right around 90, for those keeping track (and if the gun is accurate). Still, he kept the Jays off balance most of the night by mixing in a very nice curveball. He gave up a run in the fourth after a Eckstein double and a Alex Rios RBI single and another in the fifth as Marco Scutaro walked and went to third on a Gregg Zaun double and scored on an Eckstein grounder.
Still, it was the Yankees bullpen who came through tonight. Billy Traber, Brian Bruney, Joba and Mo combined for three shutout while the Toronto bullpen gave up the game winning run in the 8th. Melky started off the inning with a single, followed by a misplayed sac bunt from Johnny Damon. Jeter sacrificed the runners over and Melky came around to score on a Bobby Abreu bloop. In came Mo in the ninth and that was the ball game.
In other great news, the minor league season has started as well...Kei Igawa is perfect for the season so far through 6 IP! Sweet.
