05/15: Melky Walks Off to Victory; Yankees Beat Twins, 5-4
Posted by: Patrick
Phil Hughes took the mound on Friday night, facing off against Francisco Liriano of the Twins. Despite 6 walks, it was Liriano who had the better knight as he scattered those 6 walks, along with 4 hits, far enough apart for only one run to score in 6 innings of work. Phil went 5, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, moving his season ERA to 7.56.
The lone run off of Liriano came thanks to a Derek Jeter solo home run. After Liriano was out, Brett Gardner picked up an inside the park home run, making it 4-2, in favor of the Twins, after seven innings.
The Yankees bullpen did a solid job, allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits and 3 walks over the final four innings. Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke, Brett Tomko, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras combined for the effort.
To start the ninth, the Yankees brought in close Joe Nathan to protect the two run lead. Coming into the game, the righty held a 1-0 record, 1.29 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 6 saves (1 blown). He was in trouble, right away, thanks to a lead off triple off the bat of Gardner (who ended the day a double short of the cycle).
Mark Teixeira came through with a single that scored the center fielder, shrinking the deficit to one. A-Rod walked for the fourth time of the night to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs for Hideki Matsui.
Matsui struck out to make the first out and Nick Swisher grounded out to first, moving Teixeira to third and A-Rod to second. At this point, Ramiro Pena was brought in to run for A-Rod. The Twins elected to intentionally walk Robinson Cano to load the bases for Melky Cabrera.
Melky, who has had an exceptionally rough time with runners in scoring position this season, made them pay. His two RBI single would be a walk off, ending the game with the Yankees victorious and a game over .500. Yessir.
Gardner collected 3 hits on the day, going 3 for 3 with 2 runs and his homer. Teixiera and Melky both had two hits and their runs/RBIs in the ninth were their only ones of the game.
The series will pick back up tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, when Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89) will face Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32).
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 1–4.
The lone run off of Liriano came thanks to a Derek Jeter solo home run. After Liriano was out, Brett Gardner picked up an inside the park home run, making it 4-2, in favor of the Twins, after seven innings.
The Yankees bullpen did a solid job, allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits and 3 walks over the final four innings. Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke, Brett Tomko, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras combined for the effort.
To start the ninth, the Yankees brought in close Joe Nathan to protect the two run lead. Coming into the game, the righty held a 1-0 record, 1.29 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 6 saves (1 blown). He was in trouble, right away, thanks to a lead off triple off the bat of Gardner (who ended the day a double short of the cycle).
Mark Teixeira came through with a single that scored the center fielder, shrinking the deficit to one. A-Rod walked for the fourth time of the night to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs for Hideki Matsui.
Matsui struck out to make the first out and Nick Swisher grounded out to first, moving Teixeira to third and A-Rod to second. At this point, Ramiro Pena was brought in to run for A-Rod. The Twins elected to intentionally walk Robinson Cano to load the bases for Melky Cabrera.
Melky, who has had an exceptionally rough time with runners in scoring position this season, made them pay. His two RBI single would be a walk off, ending the game with the Yankees victorious and a game over .500. Yessir.
Gardner collected 3 hits on the day, going 3 for 3 with 2 runs and his homer. Teixiera and Melky both had two hits and their runs/RBIs in the ninth were their only ones of the game.
The series will pick back up tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, when Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89) will face Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32).
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 1–4.
