10/17: ALCS Game 1: Yanks Open with Win vs. Halos
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees got off to a head start in the 2009 ALCS thanks to some stellar pitching from CC Sabathia, some timely hitting and some lousy defense on the part of the Angels. Friday night's game was the third straight time the Yankees opened up a postseason series against the Angels with a victory (the Angels won the other two series).
The Yankees would lead throughout this one, as they jumped ahead early with two runs in the 1st inning. A sac fly by Alex Rodriguez with one out made it 1–0 Yankees. The second run came on a bizarre missed pop up hit by Hideki Matsui that both third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar were unable to haul in. The play was scored a single and an RBI for Matsui.
Through 8 innings, Sabathia plowed right through a powerful Angels' lineup, allowing a run on just 4 hits and a walk while throwing 113 pitches. The loan run for the Halos came on a 4th inning RBI single by Kendry Morales.
Hideki Matsui would record a second RBI in this game as a 5th inning double scored Johnny Damon and almost scored A-Rod, who collided with Jeff Mathis, but was unable to jar the ball loose. Derek Jeter added some more insurance in the next inning with base hit that scored Melky Cabrera. Jeter would end up at second base after Torii Hunter misplayed the ball in center field, but this error would not cost the Angels any further damage as Jeter was left stranded.
That was pretty much it for the ballgame as Mariano Rivera closed the game out in the 9th and after walking the leadoff hitter, retired three straight batters to put the Yankees just three victories away from a trip to the World Series.
It hasn't been determined if there will be even be any baseball at all today because of the inclement weather that is expected, but if the game is played we'll see A.J. Burnett take the mound for Game 2 against Joe Saunders. Scheduled start time is at 7:57 ET. Stay tuned.
The Yankees would lead throughout this one, as they jumped ahead early with two runs in the 1st inning. A sac fly by Alex Rodriguez with one out made it 1–0 Yankees. The second run came on a bizarre missed pop up hit by Hideki Matsui that both third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar were unable to haul in. The play was scored a single and an RBI for Matsui.
Through 8 innings, Sabathia plowed right through a powerful Angels' lineup, allowing a run on just 4 hits and a walk while throwing 113 pitches. The loan run for the Halos came on a 4th inning RBI single by Kendry Morales.
Hideki Matsui would record a second RBI in this game as a 5th inning double scored Johnny Damon and almost scored A-Rod, who collided with Jeff Mathis, but was unable to jar the ball loose. Derek Jeter added some more insurance in the next inning with base hit that scored Melky Cabrera. Jeter would end up at second base after Torii Hunter misplayed the ball in center field, but this error would not cost the Angels any further damage as Jeter was left stranded.
That was pretty much it for the ballgame as Mariano Rivera closed the game out in the 9th and after walking the leadoff hitter, retired three straight batters to put the Yankees just three victories away from a trip to the World Series.
It hasn't been determined if there will be even be any baseball at all today because of the inclement weather that is expected, but if the game is played we'll see A.J. Burnett take the mound for Game 2 against Joe Saunders. Scheduled start time is at 7:57 ET. Stay tuned.
