I apologize for how late this “recap” is. I didn’t actually see the game, I was keeping track of it on my phone with my MLB At Bat 12 app. (Thank goodness for that thing.) Where I was today didn’t have the YES Network and I was stuck watching the Jets/Bills game.
Anyway, I was pleased to see the Yankees respond to last night’s ridiculousness with an explosive showing by the offense. The loss of Mark Teixeira, yet again, could be a huge deal down the stretch and other guys will need to step up.
Speaking of stepping up, how about Alex Rodriguez coming back and – horrible pun warning – getting right back into the swing of things? He now has a 13-game hitting streak and though he only finished the day 1-3, he hit the single that started the four-run fourth inning for the Yankees.
Another guy who seems to step up each and everyday and who has been unbelievable this season is Derek Jeter. He finished the 2-4 with three RBI. He’s batting .324 on the season.
Curtis Granderson didn’t start the game but he finished 3-3 with five RBI. He hit a home run on the first pitch he saw in the game from Jake Arrieta who had relieved Zach Britton. It was Granderson’s 35th of the season and he also had a single and double.
Poor Nick Swisher is in the midst of a pretty terrible slump. He was able to work a walk and get on base but he is having the worst luck at the plate. When he makes contact he’s hitting the ball well. I have a feeling he’ll turn it around.
Let’s talk about the pitchers – more specifically the bullpen who were incredible. (Not to take anything away from Freddy Garcia who while not dominant, wasn’t totally awful – 3.1IP, 3H, 3R, 1BB and 1K) Joba Chamberlain, who earned the win, and Cory Wade were both resplendent today. Chamberlain threw 1.2IP of hitless ball while striking out four Orioles. Wade pitched two full innings, also didn’t give up a hit and struck out three Orioles. In fact the only bullpen pitcher who gave up a hit was Boone Logan. He was the only member of the bullpen who got into any sort of trouble but he worked his way out of it.
The Orioles finished with only four hits on the day and miracle of all miracles, didn’t hit a home run!
The Yankees have a well deserved day off tomorrow before heading, excuse me, shipping up to Boston to take on the Red Sox.
