07/09: Abreu's Gap Double in 10th Polishes Off Rays
Posted by: Seamus
I don't think anybody knew what they were expecting to see out of today's matchup, with the up-and-down (usually up vs. the Yanks) Edwin Jackson facing the inconnsistent Sidney Ponson. Both were on their games this time as the Yankees squeaked by the Rays by a score of 2-1, pulling themselves to within 6.5 games of first place. The Yanks remain 4.5 out of the wild card, thanks to the Red Sox' 18-5 pounding of the Twins.
Sidney Ponson pitched what was probably the best of his three starts in pinstripes so far this season, allowing only a run on five hits in 6 innings. Aside from a home run he allowed in the 6th, Ponson allowed only one runner to reach third base. He probably could even have come out for another inning or two if they needed him, as he threw only 87 pitches (57 for strikes).
The Yankees were first to strike, as Jason Giambi's Mustache brought in Derek Jeter from third to put the Yanks up by a score of 1-0. That was the only run scored in the game until Sidney Ponson coughed up a game-tying home run to Yankee killer Carlos Pena.
Both bullpens were equally as impressive, as both the Rays and the Yankees (Veras, Farnsworth and Rivera) got through the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings without any damage. The Yankees had a chance to win it in the 9th after Justin Christian stole third with one out, but Melky Cabrera struck out with the winning run only a fly ball away from scoring. That was followed up by a pop up to second by Jose Molina.
After Mariano Rivera retired the side in order in the 10th, the Yankees got another chance to win it in the bottom of the inning, and this time they delivered. After a one-out walk to Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu lined a double in the right-centerfield gap, scoring Jeter from first to end the ballgame. It was a solid hit by Abreu, but it cost him an ice-cold Gatorade shower at the hands of Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano.
The Yankees will try to build more momentum after this KEY sweep of the Rays, as they head to Pittsburgh tomorrow evening make up a rained out game against the Pirates. The game will feature the same pitching matchup as the game that was eventually called off, as Mike Mussina will face Paul Maholm.
Sidney Ponson pitched what was probably the best of his three starts in pinstripes so far this season, allowing only a run on five hits in 6 innings. Aside from a home run he allowed in the 6th, Ponson allowed only one runner to reach third base. He probably could even have come out for another inning or two if they needed him, as he threw only 87 pitches (57 for strikes).
The Yankees were first to strike, as Jason Giambi's Mustache brought in Derek Jeter from third to put the Yanks up by a score of 1-0. That was the only run scored in the game until Sidney Ponson coughed up a game-tying home run to Yankee killer Carlos Pena.
Both bullpens were equally as impressive, as both the Rays and the Yankees (Veras, Farnsworth and Rivera) got through the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings without any damage. The Yankees had a chance to win it in the 9th after Justin Christian stole third with one out, but Melky Cabrera struck out with the winning run only a fly ball away from scoring. That was followed up by a pop up to second by Jose Molina.
After Mariano Rivera retired the side in order in the 10th, the Yankees got another chance to win it in the bottom of the inning, and this time they delivered. After a one-out walk to Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu lined a double in the right-centerfield gap, scoring Jeter from first to end the ballgame. It was a solid hit by Abreu, but it cost him an ice-cold Gatorade shower at the hands of Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano.
The Yankees will try to build more momentum after this KEY sweep of the Rays, as they head to Pittsburgh tomorrow evening make up a rained out game against the Pirates. The game will feature the same pitching matchup as the game that was eventually called off, as Mike Mussina will face Paul Maholm.
