09/07: NYY 8, KC 3: Johnson's No-Hit Bid, Posada Goes Off
Posted by: Jason
Randy Johnson's difficulties were well-documented during the middle third of this season. After last night, the case can be made that he is much closer to the Arizona form that the Yankees envisioned. Since the All-Star break, Johnson's ERA, home runs allowed and walks allowed are trending in the correct direction. Enter last night: A much-needed rubber match against a Royals team that has graduated from "pathetic" to "irritating" in the last 6 weeks with series wins over the Red Sox, White Sox and Twins.
Johnson reminds me of an aging bullfighter that has lost a touch of skill with age, but still commands great respect. Ironically, last night a bullfight crowd would have bathed the Unit in boos for killing the bull too ruthlessly without providing the proper drama. The "torero" must expose himself to potential injury from the horns with a daring, flamboyant style in order to win favor.
The southpaw coldly dissected a KC lineup that had already been weakened by Mark Teahen's season-ending surgery. It seems that an important factor in RJ's success is his ability to hit the outside corner against righties...last night he did, and he dominated. His fastball had fine location/velocity and his slider was customarily vicious. Even though he walked one hitter, an immediate double play insured that he faced the minimum number of batters through 6 innings.
DeJesus broke up Johnson's no-hitter in the 7th with a triple, but he strayed too far from third and was picked off by the other Yankee hero of last night, Jorge Posada. In addition to the fine throw to third, "Jorgie" (as Joe Girardi called him when he was in the YES booth) hit two 3-run bombs, contributing 75% of the Yankees' 8 runs with his bat.
The lead in the AL East is 9 games. The magic number is 15. Mariano can now be rested until he is 100%.
The Yankees Universe can rest easy, for now.
Johnson reminds me of an aging bullfighter that has lost a touch of skill with age, but still commands great respect. Ironically, last night a bullfight crowd would have bathed the Unit in boos for killing the bull too ruthlessly without providing the proper drama. The "torero" must expose himself to potential injury from the horns with a daring, flamboyant style in order to win favor.
The southpaw coldly dissected a KC lineup that had already been weakened by Mark Teahen's season-ending surgery. It seems that an important factor in RJ's success is his ability to hit the outside corner against righties...last night he did, and he dominated. His fastball had fine location/velocity and his slider was customarily vicious. Even though he walked one hitter, an immediate double play insured that he faced the minimum number of batters through 6 innings.
DeJesus broke up Johnson's no-hitter in the 7th with a triple, but he strayed too far from third and was picked off by the other Yankee hero of last night, Jorge Posada. In addition to the fine throw to third, "Jorgie" (as Joe Girardi called him when he was in the YES booth) hit two 3-run bombs, contributing 75% of the Yankees' 8 runs with his bat.
The lead in the AL East is 9 games. The magic number is 15. Mariano can now be rested until he is 100%.
The Yankees Universe can rest easy, for now.
