05/24: Yanks Take Tough Loss in Rubber Game vs. Phils
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees came ever so close to recording their 5th walk-off victory in their 10-game homestand, but a double off the bat of Carlos Ruiz doomed the Yanks as the Phillies took the rubber game of this three-game set by a score of 4–3. Despite losing the series the Yankees still finish their homestand at 8–2. A win by the Red Sox over the Mets put the Yankees a game behind Boston for the division lead (Toronto lost again and is now in 2nd).
CC Sabathia could have been a little better but he could have been a lot worse as well. While he did allow 3 runs and 9 hits and only struck out 4, he did give the Yankees something that they've generally been lacking over the last couple years, which is an eight-inning performance. Pretty impressive how a guy can still go eight innings in this day and age without completely dominating the entire lineup throughout. Sabathia threw a total of 110 pitches in the game.
The Yankees trailed most of the way but were able to tie the game up in the 9th thanks to yet another clutch late-inning hit by Melky Cabrera, this time a single up the middle that scored Ramiro Pena from 2nd. That forced the game into extra innings, and the Yankees had runners on first and second with nobody out in the 10th, but failed to score after Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play and Ramiro Pena flew out to center.
The Phillies took the lead back in the 11th, this time for good, when Carlos Ruiz doubled down the left field line off of Brett Tomko to score Chase Utley from second to put Philadelphia up 4–3. That was how the score would stay and the Yankees were handed their third extra inning loss of the season.
The Yankees have to be heading out of the Bronx feeling pretty good about themselves, even after losing two of three to the defending champs, and will try to keep things going tomorrow afternoon, as they'll begin a three-game set with the Rangers in Texas. Phil Hughes and Matt Harrison will be the starting pitchers. Game starts at 2:05 ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 13–6, Seamus: 9–9, Andrew: 3–4
CC Sabathia could have been a little better but he could have been a lot worse as well. While he did allow 3 runs and 9 hits and only struck out 4, he did give the Yankees something that they've generally been lacking over the last couple years, which is an eight-inning performance. Pretty impressive how a guy can still go eight innings in this day and age without completely dominating the entire lineup throughout. Sabathia threw a total of 110 pitches in the game.
The Yankees trailed most of the way but were able to tie the game up in the 9th thanks to yet another clutch late-inning hit by Melky Cabrera, this time a single up the middle that scored Ramiro Pena from 2nd. That forced the game into extra innings, and the Yankees had runners on first and second with nobody out in the 10th, but failed to score after Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play and Ramiro Pena flew out to center.
The Phillies took the lead back in the 11th, this time for good, when Carlos Ruiz doubled down the left field line off of Brett Tomko to score Chase Utley from second to put Philadelphia up 4–3. That was how the score would stay and the Yankees were handed their third extra inning loss of the season.
The Yankees have to be heading out of the Bronx feeling pretty good about themselves, even after losing two of three to the defending champs, and will try to keep things going tomorrow afternoon, as they'll begin a three-game set with the Rangers in Texas. Phil Hughes and Matt Harrison will be the starting pitchers. Game starts at 2:05 ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 13–6, Seamus: 9–9, Andrew: 3–4
