Well, that was an unexpected surprise.
Chien-Ming Wang didn't have it (again), but Johnny Damon continued his hot-hitting, Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez combined to drive in four runs and Jason Giambi launched a two-run, game-winning blast in the bottom of the ninth as the
Yanks stunned the Blue Jays 9-8 at The Stadium. The Bombers took a quick 2-0 with some small ball, but then fell behind 7-2. It would have been easy to give up, but they kept on grinding despite Wang's spotty performance. Wilson Betemit homered for the second straight day (from the right side, no less) and every Yank contributed with at least one hit. Even Jorge Posada got into the act, whistling a single on the first pitch he saw.
The Yanks were down by two heading into the ninth and Toronto closer B.J. Ryan recorded two quick outs. But A-Rod singled to keep hope alive and then came home on Hideki Matsui's base to center to cut the deficit to 8-7. Then the Giambino stepped up and did his thing. I was at work for this one so I had to rely on John and Suzy. It was tough getting into the flow since the Yanks were down and the dynamic duo kept lamenting the fact that they had to work a night game on getaway day Monday in Minnesota. They were both disgusted with the way the Yanks were playing and I could have sworn I heard John swirling the ice cubes in his bourbon at one point, but I was rewarded for sticking with them.
The Good:Jason Giambi. The Italian Stallion continued to rub my nose in poop and I couldn't care less if he keeps this up. Giambi missed Wednesday's game and was on the bench for the start of this one after taking one off his foot Tuesday night, but he batted for Jose Molina and delivered the death blow against one of the top closers in the league. Jay Jay finished up the month of May batting .315 with six homers and 14 runs batted in and it looks like he's carrying those stats into June. Giambi finished 1 for 1 with a run scored and 2 RBIs. I'll never doubt you again big guy so please accept this inspirational video as a peace offering:
Johnny Damon. The guy just can't be stopped right now. Johnny D extended his hitting streak to 14 games with two more hits. It's amazing how much better the Yankee offense looks when Damon gets on base. Damon finished 2 for 3 with two walks, two runs scored and a stolen base.
Wilson Betemit. I guess the Yanks knew what they were doing when they decided to keep Betemit instead of Morgan Ensberg. Wil cracked a two-run dinger in the sixth to bring the Yanks to within one at 7-6. Maybe I should start ripping on all the Yanks -- they seem to respond to my negative comments. Betemit finished 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 ribbies.
The Bad:Chien-Ming Wang. I didn't see it with my own two eyes, but The Wanger was clearly off his game. Wang retired the first seven hitters he faced, but he had to work hard to get out of the third unscathed and then it all fell apart. Melky Cabrera didn't help him out as he failed to corral a fly ball off the bat of Alex Rios in the fifth. The score was 2-2 at that point and it would have been an easy inning-ending double play (according to Sterling). But a run scored on the error and Wang would fail to record another out. This is now four outings in a row where Wang has pitched terribly. He's given up at least five runs in those starts and his ERA has ballooned from 2.90 to 4.57 during that span. He didn't get tagged with the loss and still has a respectable 6-2 record, but I'm starting to worry. Wang's no-decision: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 7 R (6 earned), 4 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 hit batsman.
Kyle Farnsworth. The eighth inning just doesn't seem to agree with Farnsworth. Kyle took the ball with the Yanks down 7-6 and gave up a big insurance run. It could have been more, but Melky redeemed himself (in a way) with a nice play in center with the bases loaded and two outs (again, according to Sterling). Looks like it's going to be a roller coaster ride every time Farnsworth takes the hill. This wasn't a set-up situation, but I wonder how many bad outings it will take to strip him of that title. Farnsworth picked up his first win of the year despite this line: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB (intentional), 1 K.
The Ugly:A break in the ranks. The decision to move Joba Chamberlain out of the bullpen hasn't been popular with most fans and it looks like some of the players aren't in love with it either.
Damon voiced his concerns with the press. Here are a few of his comments:
"I just felt like our bullpen was our strength. I think it
still could be, but when you move a guy like that, everyone's trying to find a
role. Everyone's trying to replace a guy who was possibly the best in that role. I remember the teams the Yankees won (championships) with, if they were
winning after five innings, it was pretty much game over. We kind of felt that
way this year. If we were winning after six, we had (Kyle) Farnsworth in the
seventh, Joba in the eighth, and Mariano in the ninth -- we thought it was game
over. Now, instead, we're trying to find out who's best suited for that
eighth-inning role."
I agree with Damon, but he shouldn't have disclosed his feelings to the media. What is to be gained by doing so?
The Yanks will welcome in the Kansas City Royals for a four-game wrap-around set starting Friday night. Darrell Rasner (3-2, 2.67 ERA) will go against Kyle Davies (1-0, 1.80 ERA). Davies made his first start of the year May 31 against the Cleveland Indians and pitched well, giving up one run in five innings. He's had one appearance against the Yanks and it wasn't a good one -- he allowed five runs on six hits in three innings. Rasner has dropped his past two decisions, but he's still pitching well. It'll be Rasner's third start in the Bronx this season and so far he's 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA while wearing the pinstripes.
Let's see if the Yanks will need dramatics for this one.
Leave a comment
Great win. Just glad I missed Sterling's stupid call. He probably called it foul first, anyway.