Grading the Yankees: Bombers Use Small Ball in Comeback vs. Twins

Down 4-1 after one inning, the New York Yankees didn't just sit back and wait for a three-run homer to tie the game.  Instead, they struck for one run in the third, two in the fourth and one more in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead, adding a very important insurance run in the seventh on an infield single by Hideki Matsui.

The biggest sequence in the comeback against the Minnesota Twins came in the top of the fourth when Shelley Duncan walked and Robinson Cano singled to put runners on first and second with no one out.  Jose Molina then followed with a mediocre bunt to the first baseman.  But bunts don't have to be perfect and the sacrifice worked beautifully, moving the runners to second and third with one out.  With the tying runs now in scoring position, Melky Cabrera singled to center to knot the game at 4.

The Yankees lineup is versatile these days.  It can smack four home runs like in Tuesday's nine run output against the Baltimore Orioles, or it can scatter 12 singles like in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins.  This is important because you can't always count on three-run homers in October, as we've learned over the past few years.

Here are the grades from the Yankees' victory Friday night in the first game of a four game set with Minnesota.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (B+) Apparently Girardi went to a different managing school than most of his colleagues because Joe let starter Mike Mussina pitch the sixth, despite entering the inning having already thrown 102 pitches.  Moose needed just seven more to retire the Twins in order in the sixth.  I guess it is possible to be effective after 100 pitches.  Yet another reason why I'm glad Joe Torre is no longer the manager. 

Girardi is also continuing to be aggressive on the base paths.  The Yanks attempted two steals Friday, successfully swiping one bag and being gunned down on a bad call on another try.  That, in addition to timely bunting, has New York's offense continuing to produce even on a night in which the team didn't hit a single home run.

Now, the bad news.  Girardi needs to stop forcing Duncan into the lineup against lefties.  Shelley is hitting just .211 versus southpaws and .161 overall.  Inserting Duncan into the lineup also means a better lefty hitter has to ride the bench.  On Friday, that was Johnny Damon, who is hitting .313 versus lefties and .288 overall.  He's also seven for his last ten, so it doesn't make sense to sit him now.

Finally, the Yankees continue to survive without Joba Chamberlain pitching the eighth, but Girardi needs to reevaluate who he has replacing Joba in that spot.  I believe Edwar Ramirez (0.00 ERA) would be a better choice than Kyle Farnsworth (4.44 ERA).

Derek Jeter, SS: (D-) With Damon sitting, the Captain led off and the different spot in the lineup didn't help him break out of his slump.  After going 0-5 Friday, Jeter is now 3-35 since getting hit on the hand on May 20.  I hate to admit it, but maybe Jeter needs a day off.  Either that, or someone needs to take a closer look at his hand.  Jeter did make a tremendous stop in the field, though.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (A+) Another huge night for Abreu, who went 3-4 with two triples, a walk, a stolen base and four runs scored.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (A+) Not to be outdone, A-Rod chipped in two doubles, a walk, a hit by pitch and a pair of RBIs.

Hideki Matsui, LF: (A+) Godzilla lengthened his lead in the AL batting race with a 3-4 performance that included a walk and two runs batted in.

Jason Giambi, DH: (D) Giambi was back to his old ways again, going 1-5 and leaving six men on base.

Shelley Duncan, 1B: (D) Duncan walked and scored in two plate appearances before being pinch hit for in the fifth inning.  He also made a crucial throwing error that led to two unearned runs in the first inning.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (C) 1-4 with a run scored.

Jose Molina, C: (A+) Molina went 2-3 and laid down a crucial sac bunt in the fourth inning.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (A+) Melky was the fourth Yankee hitter to have three hits Friday.  He also had two RBIs and was caught stealing on a questionable call.

Wilson Betemit, PH-1B: (F) Betemit took over for Duncan in the fifth and went 0-3, leaving six guys on base.

Johnny Damon, LF: (INC) Damon replaced Matsui in left in the ninth.

Mike Mussina, SP: (B+) The Moose was done in once again by his defense, which committed its seventh error behind him this year, but Mussina persevered, pitching flawlessly after the four-run first.

Jose Veras, RP: (C) Retired one batter and walked another in the seventh.

Edwar Ramirez, RP: (A) This is the man who should be the bridge to Mariano Rivera.  He threw five pitches, all strikes, retiring both batters he faced.  Ramirez is yet to surrender an unearned run this year.

Kyle Farnsworth, RP: (D-) Farnsworth is trash, but he still managed to hold onto the lead.  See, that eighth inning spot really isn't that difficult.

Mariano Rivera, RP: (A) Rivera walked one and struck out two en route to his 14th save of the year.

Yankees Overall Grade: (B+) Don't look now but the Yankees have won seven of nine led by their offense, which is averaging nearly seven runs a game over that stretch.