Sunday, August 9, 2009

Yanks Take Game Three Behind CC's Masterpiece

(REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine)



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
R H E
BOS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 4 1
NYY 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 X
5 9 0

WP - CC Sabathia (12-7)
LP - Clay Buchholz (1-2)



A.J. Burnett was fantatstic last night in that 15-inning classic, but today CC Sabathia was even better. Today was probably his best game as a Yankee. In 7.2 innings the big lefty allowed no runs on just two hits and two walks, and struck out nine as he shut down the Red Sox lineup. He was perfect over the first four and had a no-hitter through 5.2 innings until Jacoby Ellsbury hit a line drive single into center.

He had everything working today and constantly pounded the zone. 82 of his 123 pitches were strikes, and of the 26 batters he faced, he threw 17 first-pitch strikes. His fastball was sitting anywhere from 95-97, and he topped out at 98. Besides that he had great command of his breaking ball and changeup.

He really only got into trouble one time throughout the day. That came in the when he allowed the first two men on in the top of the 7th. Victor Martinez led off with a walk and Kevin Youkilis followed with a single. The Sox rally would be short-lived, because CC was able to strike out David Ortiz, and then got Mike Lowell to ground into an inning-ending double play. Derek Jeter made a great turn on the play, leaping over Youkilis, landing, and still had enough time to throw out Lowell.

He then got the first two guys in the eight before leaving the game after throwing 123 pitches. As he walked off the mound the crowd gave him a well-deserved standing ovation. This is the type of performance the Yankees expect from CC after they handed him that huge contract and today he delievered. And watch out, because when this guy gets on a roll is can last for months. With today's gem he was able to lower his ERA to 3.76.

Clay Buchholz also pitched very well for the Sox today. He held the Yanks to just two runs on six hits in 6 innings pitched. He also walked five and struck out three.

The Yankees first run came in the bottom of the third on a clutch two-out RBI single by Mark Teixeira. Melky Cabrera led off with a single and then Jose Molina walked to put men on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Then after Jeter hit into a double play, Johnny Damon walked to put runners on the corners. Tex then came through with the single. And as you know it turned out to be all they'd need.

They would go on to add individual runs in the sixth and seventh, and then Jeter would put the game away with a two-run homer in the eighth. The homer was Jeter's 12th of the season.

Phil Hughes struck out the only batter he faced in relief of Sabathia to pick up a hold. And David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the game. He got into some trouble, allowing two base runners, but Joe Girardi stuck with him and he got out of it. This could be a huge confidence boosting outing for Robertson who looked pretty pumped up when he struck out David Ortiz to end the game.

Yankee pitching has now held Boston scoreless for 24 consecutive innings.

Tempers flared a bit in the bottom of the seventh when Red Sox reliever Ramon Ramirez through up-and-in to Teixeira and then hit Alex Rodriguez in the very next at-bat. He was immediately thrown out of the game by homeplate ump Jim Joyce and nothing else happened, but don't be surprised if something happens tomorrow.

The Yanks have no won six in a row overall, three straight over the Sox, and lead the AL east by 5.5 games. They go for the sweep tomorrow night with Andy Pettitte going up against Jon Lester.


AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Jeter, SS 5 1 1 2 0 1 3 .312
Damon, LF 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 .282
Teixeira, 1B 3 0 1 1 2 1 1 .284
Rodriguez, A, 3B 4 1 0 0 0 0 5 .258
Matsui, H, DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .263
Cano, 2B 4 1 3 0 0 0 3 .314
Swisher, RF 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 .245
Hairston, J, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257
Cabrera, Me, CF 3 1 1 0 1 0 5 .282
Molina, J, C 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 .254
Totals 30 5 9 5 7 3 22

BATTING
2B: Damon (23, Buchholz, C), Cano (30, Buchholz, C).
HR: Jeter (12, 8th inning off Gonzalez, En, 1 on, 0 out).
TB: Jeter 4; Damon 2; Teixeira; Matsui, H; Cano 4; Cabrera, Me; Molina, J.
RBI: Teixeira (82), Molina, J (8), Swisher (56), Jeter 2 (47).
2-out RBI: Teixeira; Swisher.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, A 2; Molina, J; Matsui, H 2; Cabrera, Me 2.
S: Swisher.
SF: Molina, J.
GIDP: Swisher; Jeter.
Team RISP: 2-for-12.
Team LOB: 11.

FIELDING
DP: (Cano-Jeter-Teixeira).


IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Sabathia (W, 12-7) 7.2 2 0 0 2 9 0 3.76
Hughes, P (H, 12) 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.56
Robertson, D 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3.41

Pitches-strikes: Sabathia 123-81, Hughes, P 4-4, Robertson, D 21-15.

RED SOX STATS


PLAYER OF THE GAME: CC Sabathia (W, 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Derek Jeter (1-for-5 , 2-run homer, and a very nicely turned DP)

Tomorrow's Game

Yankees vs. Red Sox
Game Time: 8:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: ESPN, WCBS
LHP Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.35) vs. LHP Jon Lester (9-7, 3.79)

7 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Great win I dont really even care what happens tommorow, hopefully they win but winning 3 is what most yankee fans hoped for.

I'm still buzzing about last night game that game was one of the best regular season games ever. There was so much importance on every single pitch.

Anonymous said...

Robertson was hitting 95 today. He looks like he is gaining more confidence every single outing.

46 strikeouts in 31.2 ip is sick, I like him and Melancon they both have bright futures.

crossfire said...

Now lets sweep 'em!

Mike N. said...

While I was away I had to resort to radio to get the games but C.C. sounded fantastic. Finally we're getting what we need out of our two aces.

Mike N. said...

While I was away I had to resort to radio to get the games but C.C. sounded fantastic. Finally we're getting what we need out of our two aces.

Greg Cohen said...

Hey Mike, yea things are looking great so far this weekend. Things are working out better than we could have expected if you ask me.

Greg Cohen said...

Mike, live chat tonight as we go for the jugular?