Monday, July 21, 2008

Pettitte's Gem Leads Yanks to Sweep


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
R H E
Oakland 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1 5 1
N.Y. Yankees 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X
2 7 0

Andy Pettitte was dominant for eight innings today as the Yankees completed a three game sweep of the Oakland A's at The Stadium. He allowed a run on just four hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out nine. He was consistently pounding the strike zone, and getting ahead of hitters. He threw 114 pitches on the day, 77 of them for strikes. The win was Andy's 11th of the season.

Mariano Rivera made it 24 for 24 in save opportunities today with a scoreless 9th.

Jose Molina was involved in the final play of the game for the second straight day, this time throwing out pinch-runner Rajai Davis trying to steal second.

Alex Rodriguez made what could have been a game saving play in the 9th with a runner on first and one out. Bobby Crosby lined a ball to Bobby Abreu in right, it looked like an easy line out to right, but Abreu dropped the ball. He still had an easy force play at second because the runner had to hold up, but he overthrew Jeter. Luckily for the Yanks A-Rod was backing up the play, caught the ball, and threw to Jeter for the force.


IPHRERBBSOHRERA
Pettitte (W, 11-7)8.04110903.86
Rivera (S, 24)1.01000001.22

ATHLETICS PITCHING


A's starter Justin Duchscherer has been very good all year, and today was no different. The Yankees were only able to get two runs and six hits over 7 innings off Duchscherer, but thanks to Pettitte that was enough today. The first run came on an Alex Rodriguez sac-fly in the 3rd. Jason Giambi added the second run when he lined a homer just over the short porch in right.

Robinson Cano had two more hits today, raising his average to .258. He's hitting .345 in July.

Bobby Meacham has got to stop getting runners thrown out by 15 feet. I'm getting sick of seeing Yankees' runners being hung out to dry, I'm sure you are too. He has to stop being so aggressive, he's wasting outs.

Today's win improved the Yankees record to 53-45, a season-high eight games over .500.

The Red Sox and Rays both lost on Sunday so the Yankees are now 3 games behind the Sox in the Wild Card, and 4.5 games behind the Rays in the Division.


ABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Jeter, SS4110000.282
Abreu, RF4010010.272
Rodriguez, A, 3B3011000.313
Giambi, DH2121200.257
Cano, 2B4020014.258
Betemit, 1B3000021.246
Sexson, 1B0000000.219
Cabrera, CF2000101.245
Molina, C3000001.215
Gardner, LF3000000.163
Totals28272347

BATTING
2B: Jeter (19, Duchscherer).
HR: Giambi (20, 6th inning off Duchscherer, 0 on, 1 out).
TB: Jeter 2; Abreu; Rodriguez, A; Giambi 5; Cano 2.
RBI: Rodriguez, A (56), Giambi (56).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano.
SF: Rodriguez, A.
GIDP: Molina; Cano.
Team LOB: 6.

ATHLETICS OFFENSE

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Andy Pettitte (8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Jason Giambi (2-for-2, HR, RBI, R, 2 BB)

The Yanks open up a series with the Twins tomorrow night at The Stadium. Sidney Ponson will get the start for the Yanks, and he will face Twins' starter Nick Blackburn. Game Time: 7:05 p.m. - TV: YES - Radio: WCBS 880

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