Sunday, June 28, 2009

Burnett Shuts Down Mets

On Friday night, CC Sabathia was perfect through four innings. Last night, A.J. Burnett was just as impressive as he spun a gem against the Mets. After a perfect first inning, he worked around two walks in the second. Nick Swisher's oppposite field solo shot in the top of the third gave Burnett a one run lead. It was all the offense the Yankees would need on the night.

Burnett worked a perfect third and fourth, and was aided by an outstanding, leaping catch by Melky Cabrera on the leftfield warning track to start the bottom of the fifth. By the time Brian Schneider worked a two out walk in the fifth, Burnett had retired nine in a row. He then fanned Tim Redding to make it 15 of 18 retired. He had yet to give up a hit.

In the top of the sixth, the Yankees added some insurance runs. Mark Teixeira doubled, and was driven in by an Alex Rodriguez basehit. Robinson Cano doubled, moving A-Rod to third, then Jorge Posada cleared the bases with his 10th home run of the year.

Burnett lost his no hitter in the sixth, giving up a lead off single to Alex Cora. He responded by sitting down the next six in a row, ending his night at 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 K.

Brian Bruney and David Robertson closed it out, with a perfect eighth and ninth respectively. The victory ensured that the Yanks would take both halves of the 2009 Subway Series. They'll go for the sweep tonight.

Derek Jeter missed his second consecutive game with the flu, and was joined in the sick ward by Johnny Damon.

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