Late Game, Late Inning Runs

Andy Pettitte continued his post All-Star break hot streak tonight. The evening didn't start off too well, as Pettitte surrendered three consecutive hits in the bottom of the first, staking the M's to a 2-0 lead. For the next five innings however, Pettitte held the Mariners scoreless, allowing just three more hits, finishing his night with six innings, six hits, two runs, a walk, and just like CC the night before him, a season high ten strikeouts.

While Pettitte's pitching line continued be impressive post All-Star break, his no decision trend is still alive as well. Despite quality starts in five of his last six starts, Pettitte is just 1-1 over that stretch.

The Yankees brought Pettitte back to even with runs in the second and fifth. Jorge Posada, back in the line up after a night off, led off the second with a ball that was either a double or a home run, depending upon who you ask. The umpires initially ruled it a double and their video review confirmed that. From second, Posada moved to third on a Robinson Cano groundout, and after a Nick Swisher walk, score on a fielder's choice from Jerry Hairston Jr, who was in the line up for the second straight night after back spasms forced Alex Rodriguez from the initial scorecard.

In the fifth, the Yanks tied it, as Melky Cabrera reached on an infield single, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Derek Jeter single to make it 2-2.

To start the bottom of the seventh, Pettitte was replaced by Brian Bruney, who continued his recent rennaisance by running his scoreless innings streak to five, a single the only blemish against his record. Phil Hughes took over in the eighth and after yielding consecutive two out walks, recorded his second strikeout to the end the frame.

Meanwhile, the Yankee offense had gone fallow, going down 1-2-3 in the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. But the bats woke up in the ninth. Mark Teixeira led off the frame by launching his 30th home run - good for second in the league - to deep right field, snapping the tie. With two outs Robinson Cano hit a ground rule double, then scored on Nick Swisher's subsequent basehit.

Mariano Rivera, he of the cranky shoulder, came on for the ninth and retired the M's 1-2-3 on groundouts, using just nine pitches, and ensuring the Yankees a split at worst in this four game set.

Game 116: Fire

It's a Friday night west coast game. I suppose as far as west coast games go, that's about the best you could ask for. Watch it from the bar. Or watch at home and stay up for the end of it, knowing you don't have to worry about getting up for work the next morning.

Line ups are not posted as of this time. My guess is that amongst the walking wounded, Jeter will still be in the line up, Posada will return, and A-Rod will be given an additional day off. At least that's what I would do - Hairston's been hot; give A-Rod the extra day to rest up, they'll need him at full strength with at least one of the Sergio Mitre/Chad Gaudin tandem starting this weekend. But knowing Girardi, A-Rod will DH, giving him a half night off to rest his elbow, and sitting Hideki Matsui against the lefty. As we've discussed in the past, this is a poor maneuver. Matsui is hitting lefties to the tune of .266/.346/.638 with 10 HR in just 94 ABs. Plus, he was on fire last night; play the hot hand.

The lefty in question is Ryan Rowland-Smith (sounds like he should have his own childrens' song). The Aussie is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 5 starts this year. In 185 career IP over parts of three seasons, he has an impressive ERA+ of 118. However, he's benefited from a low BABIP against and his strikeout, walk, and HR rates are all worse than the league average. Like other Seattle pitchers, he's likely benefited from his pitcher friendly ballpark and outstanding defense. In 5 career appearances (1 start) against the Yankees, RRS has pitched 10 innings to a 7.20 ERA and a 2.10 WHIP. I'll sign up for more of that tonight.

Opposing him will be the Yankees' own southpaw: Andy Pettitte. Pettitte has seen Seattle plenty of times through the years. He's recorded a decision in every one of his starts against them, going 10-11 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. In three post-season starts between the 2000 and 2001 ALCS though, Pettitte was 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA. Andy picked up a win against the M's on July 1st this year, going seven innings and whiffing five while allowing just seven baserunners and two runs. Since the All-Star break Pettitte has made five starts, covering 33.2 IP. He's posted a 1.87 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and a 3.67 K/BB in that stretch while holding opponents to a .210/.264/.269 batting line. He too has been on fire of late.

With an all lefty match up on the mound tonight, we'll go with a lefty guitarist whose mother's maiden name happened to be Jeter. Born in Seattle, James Marshall Hendrix preferred a Fender Stratocaster to the Gibson Les Paul, but he could sure play the hell out of it. Here he is with Gypsy Sun And Rainbows at a certain festival from fourty years ago.