So that's why they're called that.
The Yankees bombed four balls out of the ballpark Thursday afternoon to salvage the final game of a three game set against the Cleveland Indians.
Johnny Damon was the first to round the bases with a solo shot in the fourth inning, before Jason Giambi added a two-run blast later in the frame. In the seventh, Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit went back to back to put the game out of reach.
But the biggest hit in the contest was one that stayed in the yard. After New York starter Mike Mussinablew a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth, the Bombers quickly responded with a rally of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The surging Cano led off with a double before Betemit did his job by flying out to move the runner to third with less than two outs. But after Jose Molina failed to score Cano on an out, Damon was left with the responsibility of driving him in with a hit. Johnny responded by driving a pitch to left for a double, reclaiming the lead for the Yankees.
Too often this season, the Yanks' bats have fell silent after putting up a few runs early in a game. Thursday afternoon, however, the offense remained consistent throughout, leading New York to a 6-3 victory.
Here are my grades for the Yankees' 36th game.
Joe Girardi, Manager: (A-) I'm never a big fan of pulling the starter after just five innings, but Girardi noticed that Mussina was tiring after getting smacked around for three runs in the fifth and so he called on Ross Ohlendorf to start the sixth. The move worked out as the reliever pitched two scoreless innings.
Johnny Damon, LF: (A+) Damon homered and had the game winning RBI double in the fifth.
Derek Jeter, SS: (C) A single in four at bats for the Captain.
Bobby Abreu, RF: (D) 0-3 with a walk.
Hideki Matsui, DH: (A+) How good is Matsui? A 2-4 day moves his hit streak to 17 games.
Jason Giambi, 1B: (A+) A two-run homer masks the fact that he's still hitting .163, at least for one day.
Melky Cabrera, CF: (F) Melky wasn't invited to the party. He went 0-3 and left a man on.
Robinson Cano, 2B: (A+) Would you believe it's been 26 days since Cano's last multi-hit game? Of course you would. But a 2-3 afternoon and a four game hitting streak may signal the return of Robbie.
Wilson Betemit, 3B: (A) The Yankees need just five more of these performances until A-Rod returns next week.
Jose Molina, C: (F) Molina has only two hits since April 13.
Mike Mussina, SP: (C) This win was more about the lineup and the bullpen, but Moose pitched well for four of his five innings and got the win.
Ross Ohlendorf, RP: (A) Two strong innings for the Princeton grad.
Joba Chamberlain, RP: (A) Yup, Joba's a champ.
Mariano Rivera, RP: (A-) Gave up a double but kept his ERA spotless once again.
Yankees Overall Grade: (A) 4-5 is not a good home stand, but at least they got out on a good note.
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5 months ago
Yeah and they especially have that nickname against Paul Byrd who loves giving them up to Giambi. Haha
from 5 months ago
Byrd. 2 games vs. NYY, 6 homers, 3 to Giambi. Yuck.
from 5 months ago
I bet Giambi wishes he faced Byrd every game... Half his HRs from Byrd.. Poor guy
5 months ago
Yeah, they played OK, but I don't like how we're all impressed to see the Yankees get 6 runs. What happened to the days when we used beat teams 15-10? The lack of offense this year is startling.
from 5 months ago
You have to remember that they're playing without two guys who combined to drive in 246 runs last year. I think you need to be happy with 6 right now.
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