06/04: Wang's Return to the Rotation Rough, But the Yankees Win One Late Against the Rangers
Posted by: Patrick
Today was Chien-Ming Wang's return to the Yankees rotation, as he made his first start since that gruesom April 19th affair. Brandon McCarthy (5-2, 4.35) went for the Rangers.
A Johnny Damon solo home run in the first - his 11th - got things off on the right foot and Wang looked good, as well, retiring the first six batters that he faced.
But, he ran into trouble in the third where, with two outs and runners on the corners, he threw a wild pitch that allowed Chris Davis to score. Two more singles brought another runner around, but two runs were all that would score.
Until the fourth, that is. Chris Davis came around to bite Wang again, this time on a two RBI double. At the end of the inning, it was 4-1, Rangers.
In the top of the fifth, Wang retired two hitters, but then allowed a solo home run to Nelson Cruz. That would be the end of his day: 4 and 2/3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K and 69 pitches. Not a great line, but not a horrendous first game back, either. Alfredo Aceves entered and after a little drama (i.e. two walks), he retired Davis to end the threat.
So, the Yanks enter the bottom of the fifth down four runs and then the bats catch fire. Francisco Cervelli singles, Ramiro Pena singles, Damon walks to load the bases, Nick Swisher walks to score Cervelli, Mark Teixiera doubles to score Pena, Damon and Swisher, A-Rod singles to score Teixeira and Cano singles. 7 batters, no outs and the Yankees have the lead at 6-5. Unfortunately, that's where it would end as Matsui would hit a line out that would lead to A-Rod being doubled off and Melky grounded out for out number 3.
The Rangers came right back to tie it up, though, thanks to an Ian Kinsler solo home run in the sixth. Phil Coke relieved Aceves with one out in the seventh and retired all four batters he faced, before giving way to Dave Robertson for the final out in the eighth. Meanwhile, the Yankees went down quietly in the sixth and seventh.
In the bottom of the eighth, Robinson Cano walked to lead off the inning. With one out, Melky brought him around with a two run blast to left that would put the Yankees ahead to stay, 8-6. It was Melky's sixth home run of the season - he had 8 all of last year.
Mariano Rivera came out to pitch the ninth and things got a little dicey when, with one out, Mo allowed a double and a single, putting runners on first and third with one out. But, all's well that ends well as Mo would strike out Nelson Cruz and get David Murphy to pop out to end the game, collecting save number 12 of the season and 494 of his career.
Every Yankee reached base today, with Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira both collecting two hits. Both of Teixeira's were doubles and he led the team with 3 RBI. Melky had his 2, of course, and Damon scored twice. Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter both got the day off.
Tomorrow, we kick off a four game set against the Rays. CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.46) goes against David Price (1-0, 3.00) in a compelling game one match up.
Recap records: Patrick: 16–7, Seamus: 12–11, Andrew: 4–4.
A Johnny Damon solo home run in the first - his 11th - got things off on the right foot and Wang looked good, as well, retiring the first six batters that he faced.
But, he ran into trouble in the third where, with two outs and runners on the corners, he threw a wild pitch that allowed Chris Davis to score. Two more singles brought another runner around, but two runs were all that would score.
Until the fourth, that is. Chris Davis came around to bite Wang again, this time on a two RBI double. At the end of the inning, it was 4-1, Rangers.
In the top of the fifth, Wang retired two hitters, but then allowed a solo home run to Nelson Cruz. That would be the end of his day: 4 and 2/3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K and 69 pitches. Not a great line, but not a horrendous first game back, either. Alfredo Aceves entered and after a little drama (i.e. two walks), he retired Davis to end the threat.
So, the Yanks enter the bottom of the fifth down four runs and then the bats catch fire. Francisco Cervelli singles, Ramiro Pena singles, Damon walks to load the bases, Nick Swisher walks to score Cervelli, Mark Teixiera doubles to score Pena, Damon and Swisher, A-Rod singles to score Teixeira and Cano singles. 7 batters, no outs and the Yankees have the lead at 6-5. Unfortunately, that's where it would end as Matsui would hit a line out that would lead to A-Rod being doubled off and Melky grounded out for out number 3.
The Rangers came right back to tie it up, though, thanks to an Ian Kinsler solo home run in the sixth. Phil Coke relieved Aceves with one out in the seventh and retired all four batters he faced, before giving way to Dave Robertson for the final out in the eighth. Meanwhile, the Yankees went down quietly in the sixth and seventh.
In the bottom of the eighth, Robinson Cano walked to lead off the inning. With one out, Melky brought him around with a two run blast to left that would put the Yankees ahead to stay, 8-6. It was Melky's sixth home run of the season - he had 8 all of last year.
Mariano Rivera came out to pitch the ninth and things got a little dicey when, with one out, Mo allowed a double and a single, putting runners on first and third with one out. But, all's well that ends well as Mo would strike out Nelson Cruz and get David Murphy to pop out to end the game, collecting save number 12 of the season and 494 of his career.
Every Yankee reached base today, with Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira both collecting two hits. Both of Teixeira's were doubles and he led the team with 3 RBI. Melky had his 2, of course, and Damon scored twice. Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter both got the day off.
Tomorrow, we kick off a four game set against the Rays. CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.46) goes against David Price (1-0, 3.00) in a compelling game one match up.
Recap records: Patrick: 16–7, Seamus: 12–11, Andrew: 4–4.
