Sunday, July 4, 2010

11-Run Outburst Gives Andy Win No. 10

(AP Photo)

Final123456789RHE
Toronto200001000350
N.Y. Yankees «001100000x1190
W: A. Pettitte (10-2) L: R. Romero (6-5)

Trailing 2-0 after a Jose Bautista two-run homer in the first, the Yankees offense shook off some recent rust and exploded with an 11-run third. In the inning they sent 15 men to the plate, picked up seven hits and drew four walks and a hit batsman. After the Yankees had already scored four, Brett Gardner blew the game open with a grand slam. The homer knocked Jays starter Ricky Romero out of the game. It was also the Yankees eighth grand slam of the season.

Brian Tallet came into the game and walked three in a row before Alex Rodriguez capped off the rally with a pop up turned three-run double when John McDonald (yes the same guy as the "HA!" play) lost the ball in the sun. Does anyone else find it hilarious when players lose balls in the sun while they have sunglasses on, but they've got them flipped up?

A-Rod and Gardner each had 4 RBI in the inning. Mark Teixeira also picked up a big hit in the inning when he tied the game with a two-run double. Robinson Cano also drove in a run in the inning.

However, I'm not so sure this is a sign the offense completely broke out of their slump, because over their seven other trips to the plate, they picked up just two hits and two walks. We'll find out that answer in the next few days, but for yesterday, the 11 runs were more than enough for Andy Pettitte to join CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes as ten-game winners.

Petttitte allowed three runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out four over six innings. Bautista's MLB-leading 21st homer took care of the first two, and things looked like they were going to get worse when he walked Vernon Wells and gave up a single to John Buck. But Pettitte settled down, retired the next two in the inning, along with the next 12 until Alex Gonzalez drove in the Jays third run with a solo homer to lead off the sixth. It was another very solid start for the veteran lefty, who is easily putting together one of the best first-halves of his career.

Dustin Moseley followed Andy with two impressive scoreless innings in his first outing as a Yankee. He didn't allow a base runner and struck out two, while throwing 12 of his 15 pitches for strikes. Chan Ho Park followed Moseley with a 1-2-3 ninth to finish off the game.

Both Boston and Tampa won so nothing changes in the standings.

Phil Hughes will face Brandon Morrow in the rubber game tomorrow afternoon in the Bronx. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and this 4th of July game will be on YES.

Derek Jeter, SS1200301.281
Ramiro Pena, SS1000000.174
Nick Swisher, DH4210110.287
Mark Teixeira, 1B3222101.236
a- Colin Curtis, PH-LF1000010.300
Alex Rodriguez, 3B4014012.278
Kevin Russo, 3B0000000.191
Robinson Cano, 2B4111012.346
Jorge Posada, C-1B4010002.264
Curtis Granderson, CF4110001.232
Francisco Cervelli, C0000000.273
Chad Huffman, RF3100031.167
Brett Gardner, LF-CF3224100.316
Totals321191167

a-struck out for Teixeira in the 8th
Batting
2B - Mark Teixeira 2 (17, R. Romero, Tallet), Alex Rodriguez (20, Tallet), Jorge Posada (11, R. Romero)
HR - Brett Gardner (4, R. Romero)
RBI - Mark Teixeira 2 (51), Alex Rodriguez 4 (61), Robinson Cano (55), Brett Gardner 4 (27)
2-OUT RBI - Alex Rodriguez 3 (17), Brett Gardner 4 (13)
RISP: 5-14 (Mark Teixeira 1-2, Curtis Granderson 0-1, Brett Gardner 1-1, Alex Rodriguez 1-4, Chad Huffman 0-1, Jorge Posada 0-1, Nick Swisher 1-1, Robinson Cano 1-3)
Team LOB - 4

Andy Pettitte (W,10-2)65331422.82
Dustin Moseley20000200.00
Chan Ho Park10000006.41
Pitches-Strikes - Andy Pettitte 97-62, Dustin Moseley 15-12, Chan Ho Park 6-3
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Andy Pettitte 5-9, Dustin Moseley 4-0
First-pitch strikes/Batters faced: Andy Pettitte 14/24; Dustin Moseley 5/6; Chan Ho Park 0/3

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brett Gardner
HONORABLE MENTION: Mark Teixeira & Alex Rodriguez


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