The kid is all right!
Alex Rodriguez went deep for the 536th time in his career, Robinson Cano tripled in two runs and Brett Gardner delivered the game-winning hit off closer Jonathan Papelbon as the
Yanks slipped past the Red Sox 5-4 in 10 innings. Joba Chamberlain pitched well (except for the fifth frame) and Mariano Rivera pitched two overpowering innings (including an impressive strike out of pinch-hitter Manny Ramirez on three pitches) to earn the win and even his record to 3-3 on the year.
Joe Girardi was tossed for arguing balls and strikes, Kevin Youkilis felt threatened by a Chamberlain fastball that sailed behind him and everyone seemed disgusted with home plate umpire Laz Diaz's strike zone. Just a typical night when the Yanks and BoSox get together.
The Good:Brett Gardner. The rookie may be on his way to cult hero status. Gardner singled after G.I. Joe got the boot, stole second and scored on Derek Jeter's single to center to slice the Boston lead to 3-2. But the people will remember Gardner for his gritty at-bat against Papelbon in the 10th. Gardner battled back from an 0-2 count and finally delivered a two-out, infield single to send the Yankee faithful home with smiles. The kid is only batting .143 so far, but he's a fighter at the dish. The hits will come. Gardner finished 2 for 5 with a run scored, a stolen base and the game-winning RBI.
Robinson Cano. Robbie is continuing his summer surge. Cano ripped a two-run triple to tie the score at 4-4 in the seventh and started the 10th inning with a single to center. Canu batted .287 in June to raise his overall average 24 points and he's hitting .391 so far in July. Keep it up, Robbie. Cano finished 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 ribbies.
Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod got the Yanks on the board in the second with a solo shot to left. It was Rodriguez's 18th homer of the season and tied him with Mickey Mantle for 13th place on the all-time home run list. Rodriguez also started the Yankees two-run seventh with a leadoff single. A-Rod finished 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a run batted in.
The Bad:David Robertson. I'm not sure why Rob Thompson (Joe Girardi) went to Robertson in the seventh. The Yanks had just moved to within one run at 3-2 and could have gone to Jose Veras or Edwar Ramirez in that situation. They opted for Robertson and he didn't come through. Jeter's throwing error didn't help out matters, but Robertson still gave up an RBI-double to light-hitting Kevin Cash. Robertson's night: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K.
The Ugly:His first time. It comes as no surprise, but the Yanks made it official and placed
Johnny Damon on the 15- day disabled list with a bruised left shoulder. It's Damon's first visit to the DL in his 13-year career and he probably won't be ready for action after the 15 days. "It could be longer," Cashman said. "I certainly don't want to represent that
he'd be ready in 15 days. It's probably a push." The Yankees called up outfielder Justin Christian to take JD's place.
Monday is an off day for the Yanks and they will welcome in the first-place Tampa Bay Rays for a mini-two game set beginning Tuesday night. Scott Kazmir (7-3, 2.63 ERA) will battle Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.22 ERA). Kazmir had a spectacular May (5-1, 1.22 ERA), including a 5-2 win against the Yanks, but he's been shaky lately. The Kaz has given up 12 hits and seven earned runs in his past 10 innings. The young lefty is 3-3 with a 2.68 ERA in 10 career games against the Yankees. Boston hammered Pettitte for six runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings in his last start. Pettitte is 0-2 with an 8.00 ERA in two starts against the Rays this season. But Pettitte is 14-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 24 career appearances against Tampa.
Time to take a bite out of that nine game deficit.
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I agree, I like this guy Gardner. He's got guts and guts is enough! Maybe Girardi's explosion lit a small fire under the Yankees. Probably not, but we would like to believe it.