Big win today for the Yankees...

This was a big win for the Yankees. At this point they need to win every game they can and the fact that they came from behind in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game when they were down to thier last strike, then scored in the inning to win the game is great for team spirit. Hopefully the good vibes from this win carry-over into tomrrow when the Yankees go for the sweep at the stadium.


Some thoughts on the game:

Let's start with the negative...

Well not all negative. Molina got hit by a pitch in the 12th innings today winning the game for the Yankees. I want to bring up something I mentioned in the pre-game posting that I was interested to see if the A's would run on Posada, well we have our answer people. In the 9th inning the A's manufactured the run off of Mariano with a couple of singles and 2 stolen bases, both of which were stolen very easily of Posada. I think that this is a big problem for the Yanks. You can't have such a liability behind home plate. The ball that got past Posada when Veras was on the mound was also a ball that probably should have been smothered rather then backhanded. Posada's defense is just really hurting this team and he should see more time at DH and first base. On top of the poor defense by Posada, Molina looks better every game defensively behind the dish. I know that he brings nothing offensively most of the time to the game, but he has hit a decent amount of doubles this year, he has come up with some clutch hits (and clutch HBPs as evident by today's game), and if the rest of the line-up starts to hit like it should they can definitely carry his weaker bat.

What is wrong with Mariano in tie games? Whenever he comes in and the game is tied he seems to always give up a run or at least get into a lot of trouble. Is this something mental with the aspect of being a closer? Today his defense, namely Posada, didn't perform for him, but ultimately Mariano is the one who gave up the singles. I know Mariano is great and is having one of his best statistical years of his career, but it is very scary when he comes in with the score tied.

Another thing to note is the fact that the Yanks were just 3-15 with runners in scoring position in this game, and were 2-12 until the Betemit single in the bottom of the 9th inning which tied the game. This has been the story all year for the Yankees and if they are going to make a serious run at the playoffs people have to, I repeat, have to start hitting with runners in scoring position.

Jeter, Abreu, A-Rod, Giambi, and Posada today were a combined 2-18 which is not acceptable. Jeter alone had 2 of the hits in a 2-6 day, both of his hits came in extra innings. They need to produce on a more consistent basis if this team is going to make it into postseason play.

A few good things to take from this game...

The play of Cano, Melky, and Gardner. Cano had one of his best games of the year and scored the tying run in the bottom of the 9th on a Betemit single. Cano was 4-6, but hit the ball on the nose every at bat and very well could have been 6-6 on the day. Fans should stay cautiously optimistic, but things certainly seem to have turned for Cano (knock on wood). Melky was 2-6 including a big hit in the bottom of the 9th to keep the inning alive to give Gardner, also 2-6, a chance to win the game, although he ultimately popped up. Melky was also robbed of a game winning hit in the 11th inning on a spectacular diving catch in right field by Carlos Gonzalez.

Betemit, Cano, Melky, and Gardner were a combined 10-22 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored today. This is the type of production this team needs to accomplish what they want to accomplish over the course of the rest of the year.

Obviously the pitching of Joba. Joba was straight dealing this game and had just a few mistakes that led to a couple of runs. Joba went 6 innings, struck out 8, walked just 1, and let up just 1 ER. He has more then handled the switch to starting and has been dominant. You would like to see him go a little deeper into ballgames, but hopefully with experience that comes.

The pitching of Farnsworth. Farnsworth has been very good lately and pitched a scoreless inning today and picking up 1 strike out. I'm amazed to say he has developed into a very good 8th inning man and has been a good bridge to Mariano.

The pitching of Edwar Ramirez. Edwar continued to pitch well today. He was very effective and the more you watch him pitch, the more you doubt that major league hitters will ever figure out his change-up.

D-Rob, David Robertson, has pitched very well since coming up from the minors to join the big league club. Robertson does not get overwhelmed in big spots and he is not afraid to throw all his pitches in all situations. Hopefully he will continue to be a big weapon down the line for the Yankees.