09/13: Matsui 4-4 in Return to Bronx
Posted by: Seamus
Hideki Matsui looked like he hadn't missed a beat in his return from the DL last night as he went 4-4 with a walk as the Yankees defeated the Devil Rays 12-4. The Yanks maintained their 10.5 game lead over Boston and their magic number to clinch the A.L. East stands at 9.
As good as Matsui was, the star was Bobby Abreu, who drove in more runs in the 1st inning than Tampa Bay scored all evening. Abreu was 2-3 with a 3-run homer and a bases clearing double, both in the first inning. He added a sac fly in the 3rd to drive in his 7th run, and later in the game hit a ball all the way to the end of the warning track with the bases loaded, but it was caught at the wall by Delmon Young.
Abreu's 6-RBI first inning was part of a 9-run first for the Yankees as they put the game away early. Mike Mussina was finally on his game again, throwing 6 and 1/3 shutout innings, allowing five hits and not allowing a baserunner until the 4th inning. T.J. Beam pitched an inning and 2/3 of scoreless relief before Octavio Dotel allowed four in the 9th, breaking the shutout.
Also of note, as James mentioned: Derek Jeter did not record a hit, but he walked three times and was hit by a pitch. Since he didn't record an official at-bat, his 21-game hitting streak is still intact.
You know things are good when you're 10.5 games ahead and then can all of a sudden add a bat like Matsui's on September 12. The Yanks will send Jaret Wright to the mound tonight to face Jason Hammel in the middle game of this 3-game set. Hammel is 0-2 this season with an E.R.A. of 5.61.
As good as Matsui was, the star was Bobby Abreu, who drove in more runs in the 1st inning than Tampa Bay scored all evening. Abreu was 2-3 with a 3-run homer and a bases clearing double, both in the first inning. He added a sac fly in the 3rd to drive in his 7th run, and later in the game hit a ball all the way to the end of the warning track with the bases loaded, but it was caught at the wall by Delmon Young.
Abreu's 6-RBI first inning was part of a 9-run first for the Yankees as they put the game away early. Mike Mussina was finally on his game again, throwing 6 and 1/3 shutout innings, allowing five hits and not allowing a baserunner until the 4th inning. T.J. Beam pitched an inning and 2/3 of scoreless relief before Octavio Dotel allowed four in the 9th, breaking the shutout.
Also of note, as James mentioned: Derek Jeter did not record a hit, but he walked three times and was hit by a pitch. Since he didn't record an official at-bat, his 21-game hitting streak is still intact.
You know things are good when you're 10.5 games ahead and then can all of a sudden add a bat like Matsui's on September 12. The Yanks will send Jaret Wright to the mound tonight to face Jason Hammel in the middle game of this 3-game set. Hammel is 0-2 this season with an E.R.A. of 5.61.
Patrick wrote: