09/15: Yankees vs. Rays; 9/14/08
Posted by: James
This is well after the fact but the Yankees represented themselves well on Sunday. It was a good win and the good times started early. A-Rod jacked a grand slam in the first and the Yankees didn't look back, scoring 4 more over the course of the game (3 of those thanks to a Giambi 2 run HR and a Jeter solo shot).
Carl Pavano, who left the game in the sixth with an injury, actually pitched pretty well and ended up picking his his 3rd win. He landed awkwardly after throwing a pitch and left with a stiff left hip. He looks to be okay to make his next start. Pavano gave up 4 runs (3 earned) and then the bullpen came in and did their job, putting up zeros over 3 and a third.
The win was a nice touch but it was really a day of milestones for the Yankees. The one that took center stage of course Derek Jeter catching Lou Gehrig for the most hits at Yankee Stadium. Derek entered the homestand 9 behind Gehrig but actually caught him with seven games to spare. Drilling three hits in each game of the Saturday day-night doubleheader and three more yesterday certainly helped and Jeter will have 7 games to put a little distance between him and the Iron Horse.
Another milestone was Mariano getting his 35th save of the season. It also happened to be the 478th of his career which tied him for the second most all-time with Lee Smith.
In other, less positive, news, Robbie Cano was disciplined and taken out of the game for what looked to be some more nonchalance from the second baseman. A Cliff Floyd grounder deflected off Giambi's glove and Cano made no move to get the ball. Floyd ended up taking second base and Girardi then took Cano out of the game. If this needs to be addressed more vocally by the rest of the team leaders, then it needs to be. This cannot remain a problem...and next year, when the spotlight will be on Cano even more to justify the contract and to rebound from this miserable season, this type of behavior a) will be looked for by every member of the media and b) can not, and hopefully will not, be tolerated by the team.
Carl Pavano, who left the game in the sixth with an injury, actually pitched pretty well and ended up picking his his 3rd win. He landed awkwardly after throwing a pitch and left with a stiff left hip. He looks to be okay to make his next start. Pavano gave up 4 runs (3 earned) and then the bullpen came in and did their job, putting up zeros over 3 and a third.
The win was a nice touch but it was really a day of milestones for the Yankees. The one that took center stage of course Derek Jeter catching Lou Gehrig for the most hits at Yankee Stadium. Derek entered the homestand 9 behind Gehrig but actually caught him with seven games to spare. Drilling three hits in each game of the Saturday day-night doubleheader and three more yesterday certainly helped and Jeter will have 7 games to put a little distance between him and the Iron Horse.
Another milestone was Mariano getting his 35th save of the season. It also happened to be the 478th of his career which tied him for the second most all-time with Lee Smith.
In other, less positive, news, Robbie Cano was disciplined and taken out of the game for what looked to be some more nonchalance from the second baseman. A Cliff Floyd grounder deflected off Giambi's glove and Cano made no move to get the ball. Floyd ended up taking second base and Girardi then took Cano out of the game. If this needs to be addressed more vocally by the rest of the team leaders, then it needs to be. This cannot remain a problem...and next year, when the spotlight will be on Cano even more to justify the contract and to rebound from this miserable season, this type of behavior a) will be looked for by every member of the media and b) can not, and hopefully will not, be tolerated by the team.
