The AL East Is Heating Up As Yanks Take 6th Straight Win,
With a 3 Game Set Against the rivaled Red Sox this Weekend.
Washington DC - July 23, 2008
Easing back into 76 degree weather 54,114 fans got to watch Magic Mike Mussina pull knuckle-curve balls from his hat, which danced and glanced on the corners, fooling hitters all day long (video) and adding his 13th win to the Yankee streak, which swept over the Minnesota, 5 – 1, for a total of 6 straight Yankee wins.
IN a full 8 innings of work Mr. Mussina provided his own bridge to the 9th (like Pettitte did) throwing 105 pitches, with 73 strikes. He gave up 6 hits, walking 0, while striking out 7 and got 13 Twins to ground out and 4 to fly out while improving his ERA to his 6th all-time lowest at 3.26.
The other story of the day has got to be Alex Rodriguez (1 for 4) who knocked in 2 RBI, and scored a run. He and Justin Christian (2 for 3), who also had 2 RBI and stole second, accounted for most of the Yankee offense today.
Mussina went 3 up 3 down for the first 2 innings by way of first-pitch curves leaving the Twins hit-less until the 3rd, and holding them scoreless until the 9th inning- bullpen-parade. Lefty Dan Perkins, a 4.08 ERA with a 7 and 3 record, was cruising right along paralleling Moose’s efforts until the 5th.
Richie Sexson (0 for 3) gave Giambi a rest, and led off the 5th with a strike out. Robbie Cano (2 for 4) then singled up the middle, and was followed by Melky Cabrera (2 for 3) doing the same.
With one out and men on 1st and 2nd; Jose Molina (0 for 3) grounded to third base-men, Brendan Harris (1 for 3), who threw to a "late getting-to-the-bag" Alexi Casilla (2 for 4) to get Cabrera out, but Molina made it safe to first as Cano moved to 3rd. Casillia was out of position to turn two and end the inning.
comments (2) write a comment »
write a new comment
4 months ago
Looks like the Yanks survived the Injury Plague entact. Looking forward to Hughes and Bruney coming back soon, and can't wait to watch the series this weekend against the Sox.
Damon should be playing soonm and Jorge may platoon at first switching DH days on-and-off with Giambi, leaving Sexson on the bench for the time when NY needs a pinch. Not too mention the speedy rascals that will be on the bench too, for when the time's right
NY hasnt had a great bench since the 90s, so if Matsui and Posada are healthy enough, then I can not wait to see this team in August.
Well done Joe Girardi-
4 months ago
Um, about the Bullpen...with those to come back from injuries, one could assume that Rasner might get bumped into the bullpen - at least I hope. He is the next best pitcher, better than Hughes so far (injury granted_ and that pen has cost too many runs - yes, still.
I opt for Robertson to Rasner to Ramirez to at least get a chance with Hughes rounding out the 5th spot behind 6 and 1 Ponson!
Veras and Farns (he's done better) are still 50-50 between them. Stats dont lie, and the R3 connection have better numbers. I am sure that "Scrapper" will figure it all out, but damn, this is exciting.
write a new comment