05/29: Yanks End Series with Win Over O's
Posted by: Seamus
If you can't win a game when your three pitchers are Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera, then you're in big trouble. The Yankees were able to salvage the final game of their three-game set with the Orioles with a 4-2 victory in what was in all likelihood the last game you'll ever see that combination of pitchers being used in one game. The Yankees remain 6 games behind the Rays for the division lead, as Tampa Bay won over Texas, and a loss by the Red Sox pulled the Yanks to within 4.5 games of the wild card.
This one differed greatly from the 9-homer slugfest we saw the night before, as there were only two home runs hit in this one, including Jason Giambi's 11th. The game was back and forth until the Yankees went ahead for good in the 5th via a sac fly by Derek Jeter that brought in Melky Cabrera. The Yankees added an insurance run in the 8th with an infield single by Johnny Damon.
Andy Pettitte gave a pretty impressive outing, as he allowed just two runs in 6 and 2/3 innings. He did allow eight hits, but at least he avoided his 4th inning collapse, which has become the norm for him over the last month or so. After losing four consecutive decisions, he's now won his last two.
Joe Girardi was hoping to get Joba Chamberlain into this game for three or maybe even four innings and have him throw somewhere between 55 and 60 pitches in what could have been his last relief appearance. However, because of Pettitte's good outing and because the game was still too close for comfort heading into the 9th, he got only an inning and a third and just 28 pitches. The Yankees brought Mariano Rivera into the game to close the game out, and Joba got in the rest of his work in the bullpen.
The Yankees have the day off today and will head to Minnesota to begin a four-game series with the Twins tomorrow night. Mike Mussina will take the mound for the Yankees and will face Glen Perkins, who has been pretty impressive in the four games he's started for the Twins this season (2-1, 2.77). The game will start at 8:10 E.T. and will be carried on My9 here in New York.
This one differed greatly from the 9-homer slugfest we saw the night before, as there were only two home runs hit in this one, including Jason Giambi's 11th. The game was back and forth until the Yankees went ahead for good in the 5th via a sac fly by Derek Jeter that brought in Melky Cabrera. The Yankees added an insurance run in the 8th with an infield single by Johnny Damon.
Andy Pettitte gave a pretty impressive outing, as he allowed just two runs in 6 and 2/3 innings. He did allow eight hits, but at least he avoided his 4th inning collapse, which has become the norm for him over the last month or so. After losing four consecutive decisions, he's now won his last two.
Joe Girardi was hoping to get Joba Chamberlain into this game for three or maybe even four innings and have him throw somewhere between 55 and 60 pitches in what could have been his last relief appearance. However, because of Pettitte's good outing and because the game was still too close for comfort heading into the 9th, he got only an inning and a third and just 28 pitches. The Yankees brought Mariano Rivera into the game to close the game out, and Joba got in the rest of his work in the bullpen.
The Yankees have the day off today and will head to Minnesota to begin a four-game series with the Twins tomorrow night. Mike Mussina will take the mound for the Yankees and will face Glen Perkins, who has been pretty impressive in the four games he's started for the Twins this season (2-1, 2.77). The game will start at 8:10 E.T. and will be carried on My9 here in New York.
