05/01: Jorge's Walk Off Gives Yankees a Win in Wild One
Posted by: Patrick
Friday night's pitching match up between the Yankees and the Angels, Andy Pettitte (2-1, 2.96) facing Jered Weaver (2-1, 2.45), had all the makings of a pitchers duel.
But, the Yankees offense silenced that notion early by scoring four runs in the first inning. After back to back Yankee walks by Jeter and Damon set the table, Hideki Matsui sacrificed Jeter home for the first run. Robinson Cano picked up an RBI with a two out single to follow. Finally, Posada cleared the bases with a home run to deep right. 4-0 Yankees after one.
Pettitte did his best to keep the pitchers duel dream together, holding the Angels scoreless through 5 innings. In the sixth, however, he became unraveled. He allowed back to back singles to start the inning, but it looked like he might get out of it, after eliciting a ground ball out and striking out a batter.
Unfortunately, the Angels would rally. A two RBI single, single and walk later, the bases were loaded and Joe Girardi opted to bring in Mark Melancon. Melancon was not effective, though, as Gary Matthews, Jr. drive all three runners home with a triple. After a Bobby Abreu walk, a wild pitch allowed Matthews to score. That was the end of the damage, but the Angels now had the lead at 6-4.
It would get worse before it got better. Jose Veras came out to start the seventh, but he struggled. Walk, single, RBI single, RBI sacrifice. Edwar Ramirez would get a turn next. Single, walk, RBI sacrifice and then, finally, a line out to end the inning. The score was ugly - 9-4, Angels.
The Yankees offense came right back in the eighth, though. After Hideki Matsui grounded out to start the inning, Cano doubled. And then Posada walked. Brett Gardner singled to load the bases for Melky Cabrera, who delivered with an RBI single that kept the bases loaded. Ramiro Pena did the very same thing. Derek Jeter grounded out to end the string of singles, but he drove in an RBI in the process. Johnny Damon struck out to end the inning, but the Yankees were back in the game, down by a run, 9-8.
Jonathan Albaladejo pitched a 1-2-3 9th to keep it close and Angels closer Brian Fuentes came out to close the game for the Angels. But the Yankees got all over him - and fast. Mark Teixeira worked a walk, Hideki Matsui singled and Robinson Cano did the same. Angel Berroa pitch ran for Matsui. This loaded the bases for Jorge Posada.
Jorge delivered, putting a walk off single into left field and scoring Teixeira and Berroa. Yankees win, 10-9!
Albaladejo picked up the win, improving to 2-1.
The last three hitters in the Yankees lineup delivered, as Nick Swisher/Gardner (more on that in a second), Melky and Pena combined to go 5 for 10 with 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 walk and 1 HBP. Cano had a big day at 3 for 5 with a double, 2 runs and 1 RBI. But, the big hero was Jorge Posada. He was 2 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs, 4 RBI and a walk.
Swisher had to leave the game early, after he was hit on the elbow by a pitch. But, Peter Abraham says that all he has is a bruise and that x-rays were negative. He's day to day.
Tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, CC Sabathia (1-2, 4.73) will go against Matt Palmer (1-0, 6.00).
Recap records: Patrick: 8–2, Seamus: 4–6, Andrew: 1–2.
But, the Yankees offense silenced that notion early by scoring four runs in the first inning. After back to back Yankee walks by Jeter and Damon set the table, Hideki Matsui sacrificed Jeter home for the first run. Robinson Cano picked up an RBI with a two out single to follow. Finally, Posada cleared the bases with a home run to deep right. 4-0 Yankees after one.
Pettitte did his best to keep the pitchers duel dream together, holding the Angels scoreless through 5 innings. In the sixth, however, he became unraveled. He allowed back to back singles to start the inning, but it looked like he might get out of it, after eliciting a ground ball out and striking out a batter.
Unfortunately, the Angels would rally. A two RBI single, single and walk later, the bases were loaded and Joe Girardi opted to bring in Mark Melancon. Melancon was not effective, though, as Gary Matthews, Jr. drive all three runners home with a triple. After a Bobby Abreu walk, a wild pitch allowed Matthews to score. That was the end of the damage, but the Angels now had the lead at 6-4.
It would get worse before it got better. Jose Veras came out to start the seventh, but he struggled. Walk, single, RBI single, RBI sacrifice. Edwar Ramirez would get a turn next. Single, walk, RBI sacrifice and then, finally, a line out to end the inning. The score was ugly - 9-4, Angels.
The Yankees offense came right back in the eighth, though. After Hideki Matsui grounded out to start the inning, Cano doubled. And then Posada walked. Brett Gardner singled to load the bases for Melky Cabrera, who delivered with an RBI single that kept the bases loaded. Ramiro Pena did the very same thing. Derek Jeter grounded out to end the string of singles, but he drove in an RBI in the process. Johnny Damon struck out to end the inning, but the Yankees were back in the game, down by a run, 9-8.
Jonathan Albaladejo pitched a 1-2-3 9th to keep it close and Angels closer Brian Fuentes came out to close the game for the Angels. But the Yankees got all over him - and fast. Mark Teixeira worked a walk, Hideki Matsui singled and Robinson Cano did the same. Angel Berroa pitch ran for Matsui. This loaded the bases for Jorge Posada.
Jorge delivered, putting a walk off single into left field and scoring Teixeira and Berroa. Yankees win, 10-9!
Albaladejo picked up the win, improving to 2-1.
The last three hitters in the Yankees lineup delivered, as Nick Swisher/Gardner (more on that in a second), Melky and Pena combined to go 5 for 10 with 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 walk and 1 HBP. Cano had a big day at 3 for 5 with a double, 2 runs and 1 RBI. But, the big hero was Jorge Posada. He was 2 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs, 4 RBI and a walk.
Swisher had to leave the game early, after he was hit on the elbow by a pitch. But, Peter Abraham says that all he has is a bruise and that x-rays were negative. He's day to day.
Tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, CC Sabathia (1-2, 4.73) will go against Matt Palmer (1-0, 6.00).
Recap records: Patrick: 8–2, Seamus: 4–6, Andrew: 1–2.
