Another day, another ugly loss to the Mariners, this time losing 5-4 in walk-of fashion. The loss drops the Yankees to 27-23 on the season.
Like Friday night, the Yankees once again blew an early lead. Tonight, they were leading 3-1 after three, thanks to two long balls off M's starter Felix Hernandez; a solo shot by Cano and a two-run homer by Teixeira.
Seattle took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the 4th off Ivan Nova, who did not have a good outing. The big hit in the inning was a two-run game-tying double by Miguel Olivo. Brendan Ryan later singled to give the Mariners a 4-3 lead.
The score would stay like that until the top of the seventh when Curtis Granderson followed up a Derek Jeter walk with an RBI triple. All four Yankees runs came off King Felix, who went seven on the night.
Both bullpens did a great job tonight as the team's traded zeros over the next four+ innings. For the Yankees the work was that much more impressive considering Nova lasted just 3.2 innings. The combination of Hector Noesi, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, and Luis Ayala threw 7.1 innings of shutout ball, allowing just five hits, walking one, and striking out seven.
That said, it wasn't like the Yankees didn't have their chances, but once again the offense failed to get the big hit, going 1-for-9 with RISP and leaving 9 on base.
That set things up for Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the 12th, and once again, Mo was anything but great in a non-save situation. After retiring Chone Figgins to start the frame, Justin Smoak singled, Jack Cust doubled to men on 2nd and 3rd, and following a walk to Franklin Gutierrez, Adam Kennedy drove in the winning run with a bloop single to center. Mo's Line: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K ---- Yikes!
The series concludes tomorrow afternoon in Seattle. First pitch is at 4:10 PM, with CC Sabathia facing Jason Vargas.
(BOX SCORE)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Miguel Olivo (3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R)
HONORABLE MENTION: Adam Kennedy (walk-off single in 12th)
GOAT OF THE GAME: Mariano Rivera
