Is it possible for a one run game to have been closer than the score indicated? Neither team scored more than one run in an inning, nor did they lead by more than one. It wasn't a protracted, tense affair but there were close breaks in either direction and this one could have easily gone either way. The starting pitchers both turned in solid performances, the difference was that by going eight innings, Sabathia only had to turn the ball over to Mariano Rivera, while Brian Tallet was pulled after allowing a walk and a single in the 7th.The Jays' starter had only thrown 91 pitches and was in line for the win, but Jason Frasor blew the save and Jesse Carlson was tagged with the "L". Tallet gets an A for effort and a M+ for an excellent 'stashe piece. It looked like someone travelled back into 1986, plucked him out of a truck stop in Decatur and said, "Hey pal, can you throw a fastball?"
Come on, if someone told you that Brain Tallet had driven some truck is his day, would you be that surprised?
Our own formerly mustachioed lefty ran into a scary moment in the first when Aaron Hill ripped a line drive right back up the middle towards him. Maybe it's just because he is such a large individual, but it seems as though this has happened to Sabathia more than his fair share of times this year. Helped out by an instinctual reaction, CC's glove ended up right in the path of the ball, narrowly missing his pitching hand and elbow.
He had it for a second, dropped it, but still made the throw to first in time.
Sabathia wasn't exactly sharp, issuing 4 walks, but did a good job of limiting the damage. He allowed a HR to Yankee-killer Alex Rios in the fourth inning, and then ran into some trouble in the fifth. With one out, Sabathia had already walked Scott Rolen, who was doubled home by Rod Barajas. The next batter, John McDonald, hit a bouncing single up the middle, which figured to score a run. Gardner fielded and fired to the plate where Francisco Cervelli made a lunging ass-tag (pictured up top) on the slow-footed Barajas for the second out of the inning.
The play at the plate is one of the most exciting events in baseball. Only if an outfielder robs a hitter of a multi-run homer is there more at directly stake. There was both a run and an out on the line which would have been more than enough to alter the outcome of this game. Sabathia got Marco Scutaro to ground out an end the inning, diffusing the threat and keeping the score at 2-1.
The Yankees tied it up in the 7th inning on a little squib to right field by Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui hit a home run over a giant picture of Brain Tallet in right center, which would prove the be the game-deciding run.
Coming into the series, if the Yankees were offered a deal that would have allowed them to take two out of three, I think they would have gladly accepted. It was a respectable (if predictable) showing. They got undressed by Roy Halladay, then rocked Scott Richmond and finally got a solid performance from their ace. They return home tonight to begin a ten game homestand. Their mini-Divisional road trip ended up at 4-2, so I guess that all is well that ends well.
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I believe Bronx Banter had Tallet coming straight out of 87. When I saw him warming up in the pen before the game with the stache and the straight brim, I was expecting him to take the mound wearing the high white socks and thin black stirrups a la Gator in the 80s.
ReplyDeleteMatsui has been an interesting player to watch these past 7 seasons. I've never seen a guy that can look so bad and still perform. It seems like he pulls off of every pitch, his front hip flying open. I think because of this (and probably his injuries as well) he's been prone to long slumps. But his numbers always end up being good. It's pretty impressive to see what he did on one leg each of the last two years.
Cervelli continues to impress me. No doubt he's on a bit of a hot streak right now - I'd be surprised if he can maintain a .250 average nevermind .300+, but he's got a cannon for an arm and I like the he way carries himself and handles the pitchers.
As funny as those fake umps were Wednesday night, the thing I enjoyed most this series from those seats behind the plate are the waitresses Rogers Centre employs to take care of those seats. I've noticed this for a few seasons now; they've got some lookers. That's what you need to a screen cap of next time.
Jay, the screen grabs are getting better and better! Love 'em!
ReplyDeleteHaha, just saw the Copland reference. Something about that thing just screams "mid to late 1980's".
ReplyDeleteMatsui is a strange case. Since '06, he's only averaged 96 games. For one reason or another, it doesn't seem like he's been so absent. His on-base has been consistent, but his slugging has been on a straight slide since '04. There's really no way of sugarcoating it, he's been a bad investment, but that's one that most people overlook.
I've been keeping an eye on those waitresses too, rest assured. They never really focus in on them, so I haven't found the right shot, but I've never seen one that wasn't gorgeous.
Jason - Thanks, man. I'm using MLB.tv which is why the picture quality is better. It makes it a lot easier to write the recaps with the visual aides as well.
Cervelli is the man, I almost don't want Molina to come back. Great job handling CC 2 games in a row.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, his career minor league OBP is a pretty decent .374.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=cervel001fra