FriarChick: is the game over?
YankeeGuy: more or less.
Yankee Guy: it's the top of the 9th, the yanks lead 2-1 and Mariano Rivera is pitching.
FriarChick: whatever.
YankeeGuy: just fanned Scott Hairston. One out.
FriarChick: WHATEVER!!!!
- B/R Ticket Guide
Mariano Rivera would go on to strike out the side, preserving the 2-1 lead and completing a three game sweep of the San Diego Padres. It would also be Mo's 20th save in 20 save opportunities.
Unlike, the first two games in which the Yankees offense averaged exactly eight runs per game, today's one run nail-biter was about pitching, defense and base running.
The Padres, Josh Banks, and Yanks, Joba Chamberlain, were each making their third and fourth starts, respectively.
They also traded respective zeros until the Padres opened the scoring in top of the fourth with Brian Giles scoring on a Tony Clark ground rule double.
The Yankees would tie it up in the lower frame of the fifth without the benefit of a hit, with Melky Cabrera drawing a walk, stealing two bases and scoring on a Molina sac fly.
A-Rod's RBI tie breaking single in the bottom of the sixth would end the scoring for the day on both sides.
Jose Veras and Kyle Farnsworth would make the one run stand, handing the game off to a grimly efficient Rivera who would strike out the side on 16 pitches.
While only one team can win after the last out, this game was up for grabs several times.
Key plays made by both teams would stifle the other teams' efforts to break it open. Joba Chamberlain sweated out a base loaded no one out situation. A wild pitch looked to give the Padres an early lead.
But as a hustling Joba covered the plate, a scrambling Molina ran down the “not that wild” of a pitch and threw to Chamberlain, who put the tag on the runner attempting to score.
Later the Yankees would be set up with runners at second and third with one out.
Josh Banks would face two of the Yankees most recently prolific run producers and retire them both on strikes to get out of the jam.
The Padres also flashed some nice leather in the field, with Jody Gerut and Brian Giles both making hit-robbing, diving catches.
There have been many different Yankee names on many Yankee rosters working innings one through eight to win games.
But once the ninth is reached, there's one name that is approaching immortality one cutter at a time.
"Now pitching for the New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera!"
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