It's all about finding ways to win.
Joba Chamberlain was solid through six, Robinson Cano picked up four hits, Wilson Betemit knocked in the tying-run in the ninth and Jose Molina delivered the game-winning "hit" in the 12th as the
Yanks outlasted the A's 4-3 on another scorcher at The Stadium. Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner gave the Bombers an early 2-0 lead, but the offense wasted numerous chances to blow the game open and allowed the Athletics to creep back. Jose Veras and Mariano Rivera allowed the tying and go-ahead runs, respectively, but the Yanks fought back and eventually sent everyone home happy when Lenny DiNardo drilled Molina in the right leg with the bases juiced.
This may not have been a game for the ages, but it was filled with its share of topsy-turvy moments. The two squads combined to: battle back, blow leads, hit in the clutch, leave countless runners on base, turn terrific defensive plays and commit awful fielding errors Saturday afternoon. But, you never have to apologize for winning ugly. There were a lot of heroes and goats in this one. Let's see if I picked the right ones.
The Good:Jose Molina. It probably wasn't the way Molina imagined it, but the Yankee catcher drove in the game-winning run with one out and the bases loaded in the 12th inning by taking one for the team. Molina came in for Jorge Posada (who had a run rough game offensively and defensively) in the 10th inning and had an opportunity to end things in the bottom of that frame, but grounded out with runners on first and second and two outs. He didn't miss his chance the second time around. Molina was nearly hit on the first pitch of the at-bat and then did his thing on a 1-2 pitch. Heroic moments come in many forms. Molina finished 0 for 1 with a HBP and an RBI.
Robinson Cano. It's amazing how locked-in Cano looks right now. Almost every hit is a line drive off his bat. Cano started the second inning with a base hit and came around to score the Yankees first run on an RBI-single by Cabrera. But his biggest contribution came with two outs and nobody on in the ninth with the Yanks trailing 3-2. Robbie drilled a double to keep hope alive and then scored the tying run on Betemit's single. Canu's four hits pushed his average to its highest level (.256) since he went 1 for 3 on Opening Day. It's been a long time coming. Cano finished 4 for 6 with 2 runs scored.
Wilson Betemit. Before Molina had his moment to shine, there was Betemit. The Yanks were on their way to a disheartening loss when Betemit laced a clutch, two-out single in the ninth off A's closer Huston Street to tie the score at 3-3. Wil also doubled and scored the Yankees second run of the ballgame during their two-run rally in the second inning. And he put down a pretty sacrifice bunt to advance Cano to second with one out in the 11th inning (but it went for naught). Injuries to Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have given Betemit more playing time, exposing his short-comings and reinforcing his status as a bench player, but on this day he contributed like a starter. Betemit finished 2 for 4 with a walk, a sac bunt, a run scored and a run batted in.
The Bad:Jose Veras. The Yanks looked like they had their formula in place for another victory. Strong starting pitching, just enough offense and then turn it over to the bullpen. It seemed like the right idea, but things never seem to work out the way they are drawn up. Veras came in with a 2-1 lead in the seventh and left with the scored tied at 2-2. It was doubly frustrating since the tying run scored on a wild pitch. This is the second poor showing from Veras in his past three outings. I hope it isn't a sign of things to come. Veras' line: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP.
Mariano Rivera. The Sandman may be perfect in save opportunities this year, but he was on his way to his fourth loss of the season with his ninth inning performance Saturday afternoon. Rivera is rarely smacked around and the A's didn't exactly tear the cover off the ball as they pushed across the go-ahead run. A bloop hit, a stolen base and an opposite-field single and Oakland had the lead. Still, a run is a run and if Betemit and Molina didn't come through it would have been a tough loss. Mo came back to strike out the next three batters after allowing the run, but it came a tad too late. These things are a blip on the radar screen for Rivera, but they must still be documented. Rivera's day: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
The Ugly:Here we go again. The Yanks were a RISP machine Friday night, but they reverted back to their old ways Saturday afternoon. This hot and cold garbage is really getting old. Case in point: the second inning. The Yanks had already taken a 2-0 lead, put runners on second and third with no outs and had Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez striding to the plate. How many more runs did they score in the frame? Zero! The A's even had the infield in! A dribbler could have brought home two. A fly ball would have been good for a run. Instead, all three hitters struck out. This will not stand.
The Yanks go for the sweep Sunday afternoon and will send Andy Pettitte (10-7, 4.03 ERA) against Justin Duchscherer (10-5, 1.82 ERA). The Duke is still fighting a
throat infection and that may be the only thing that has gotten the best of him this season. The All-Star right-hander hasn't given up more than three earned runs in any of his 16 starts this year. Duchscherer defeated the Yanks 5-1 on June 11 in Oakland, allowing one run on five hits in seven innings. He's 6-1 in his past eight starts. Pettitte hasn't been nearly as dominant, but he's 7-2 in his past 11 starts. Not too shabby. Pettitte dropped a 4-1 decision to the Blue Jays on the final day before the break, but twirled eight shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Yankees 5-0 win on July 8. No. 46 bested the A's 4-1 on June 12 in Oaktown, allowing one run on five hits in eight innings.
I'll be in attendance for Sunday's game. Vinny from Kearny scored "dream seats" in the first row right behind home plate. So, if you're watching, look for two Italian-looking guys with shaved heads who won't be waving to the camera. This will be my third trip to The Stadium this year and so far I'm sporting a disappointing 0-2 record.
C'mon Yanks, win one for the Mikester.
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