Signs of Life: The Yanks Walk Off Against The Birds After Girardi Fires Up Crowd

After an abysmal week, the New York Yankees have sure looked like themselves the past couple of days. Following 12-2 drubbing at the hands of the Orioles on Tuesday, the Bombers bounced back with two well-pitched games from minor-league call up Darrell Rasner and struggling starter Ian Kennedy.

But it was manager Joe Girardi who stole the show and conjured up memories of Billy Martin in last night's contest.

Girardi quickly stormed out of the dugout and got in home plate umpire Chris Guccione's face after strike three was called on an alleged foul tip off the knob of Giambi's bat in the bottom of the ninth inning.

"I just didn’t like the explanation. And that’s all I’m basically going to say. I’ll just leave it at that. I got a little upset over it,” Girardi told reporters in the post-game interview. After some Martin-esque hat kicking, Girardi was tossed. Whether it was Girardi's intention or not, the crowd and seemingly the team got fired up as Bobby Abreu walked on four pitches soon after Girardi received the boot. The walk pushed Hideki Matsui to second with Robinson Cano coming up to bat.

After being mired on the interstate for much of the young season, Cano busted out in dramatic fashion sending a Jim Johnson fastball through the hole on the left side, scoring Matsui from second for the game-winner. It's Robbie Cano, don't ya know?

Lost in all this ninth inning heroics is Ian Kennedy's superb start. After struggling mightily with his control in his previous starts, Kennedy finally bounced back last night by limiting the Orioles to just 1 run in 6 innings pitched. Though he had 4 walks, Kennedy made crucial pitches when he had to, as he escaped a bases loaded 1 out jam in the 4th.

The crucial part in that inning came when he struck Nick Markakis out for the third time on three pitches. Markakis looked like he couldn't pick up Kennedy's pitches all night. This start could be a huge confidence builder for Ian Kennedy and the Yankees hope this will begin a string of quality starts for the young hurler. 

For the weekend series, the Bombers welcome Seattle to the Bronx for a three game set. Pettitte, Mussina and Wang are on the hill.

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