Downs walked Jeter badly, setting up another round of hurried warmups from Scioscia’s bullpen crew. Curtis Granderson–who had blasted a long homer earlier in the game–came trotting up to the plate representing the winning run. After a couple of balls whizzed down and away, Curtis got one he could handle from Downs: but this time, his long, towering blast hooked foul as all of Yankee Stadium sighed. No matter: he walked, forcing in another run.
And that was it for Downs, having served his part in the Angels’ unfolding tragedy. Now it was time for Kevin Jepsen–a fireballer with control issues–to face mighty Alex Rodriguez with the walk-off run on first. A weaker man would devote the next couple of lines to making jokes about Alex Rodriguez and clutch situations. A weaker man might say something along the lines of “and we all know what to expect with A-Rod up in a close game.” OK, perhaps not a weaker man–but certainly one that has more fun with those jokes than I do. Jepsen fired off a few 97-98 MPH fastballs that A-Rod flailed at, and the game was over: Alex’s pop-up barely left the infield, and fell easily into Albert Pujols’ glove for the final out.
The Yankees just couldn’t march all the way back.
The rest of the game pretty much followed the script I wrote at the top: Ivan Nova held off the Angels for about five and a third innings–he gave up back-to-back homers in the first–but he ran into trouble in the sixth. He had previously managed to wriggle out of jams, escaping a bases loaded, two-out situation in the fourth; but he had no answer for the Angels in the sixth. First Kendry Morales and Mark Trumbo singled, Alberto Callaspo dropped a sacrifice fly to tie the game at three, then Macier Izturis (who had not homered yet this year) drove a two-run shot into the right field seats.
Nova didn’t look great this afternoon: he wasn’t spotting his fastball well, his slider didn’t seem to have any bite, and he couldn’t locate any of his breaking pitches well. He battled hard through the first five innings, but he just couldn’t escape with the stuff he had on the afternoon.
At first, it didn’t seem like Jered Weaver would fare any better: after the Pujols and Eric Aybar (really?) blasted homers in the first, Weaver immediately gave the lead back to the Yankees, allowing a long blast to Alex Rodriguez with a runner on. He struck out Teixeira and Swisher to end the inning, but he would give up the lead in the second as Eric Chavez scored from second on a Derek Jeter liner.
He didn’t exactly prove why so many people think he’s a Cy Young candidate; but he did to just enough to win on this muggy, hitter-friendly afternoon in Yankee Stadium. And that’s really all the Angels could have asked for–that he send them back to the West with at least one win.
Polite Tennis Claps:
Mike Trout: 2-for-5 on the night, but he was robbed in the first by Curtis Granderson. What an amazing player this kid already is.
Curtis Granderson: Two outstanding defensive plays and a long, long home run.
Macier Izturis: I think we should all stand and applaud the little dude getting his first homer. Well done, chap. *tennis clap*
Obnoxious Soccer Jeers:
Russell Martin: YOU CONTRIBUTED NOTHING. Seriously, though, he couldn’t even figure out bunting. Tough times.
Alberto Callaspo: His sacrifice fly was the highlight of an otherwise awful afternoon.
Mike Scioscia: OK, I understand that these little time-buying tricks are widely-used and pretty much acceptable. And I get that he’s just doing his job. But man, that last inning was painfully slow–and the little tricks weren’t even that well executed. It just seemed so obvious what was happening, if that makes sense: I expected more from him.
I think any fan who has paid attention over the last few years knew exactly what Alex would do – and he did it. It is amazing how he cannot hit in the clutch. I am sure his contract goes down in history as the worst, dumbest deal ever made. Drop him in the lineup and limit the damage he can do to his own team.
Also, Girardi gave up way too soon. Why the hell does he give Chad Qualls, cut by the Phillies, a chance in the eight inning, down a run? Dammit, keep it to one run and this lineup has a shot! Why is Qualls even on this team, let alone pitching in the eighth inning?
Girardi misread his own notes: Qualls is the guy you bring in when you *are* four runs down, not the guy you bring in to *get you* four runs down.
Why didn't Girardi let Chavez bat in the ninth; THEN, he could have brought in Jones to strike out in place of Martin. – Jones didn't do anything, anyway, but still – everyone knew that Martin was an out.
Also, while I won't be as harsh as Neil – after all, Jepsen was fresh from Salt Lake City – they do things a lot of things there different than Alex and his crowd. I do have to note that the Angels were willing to walk in a run, just to get to Alex for the third out. Sadly, he obliged. (in fairness, I'm pretty sure it would have taken more than a few outs for the Yankees to pick up a hit against him today.)
For what it's worth, Granderson's at-bat (the walk) to get to A-Rod was 8 pitches–so I don't totally think they walked in a run to get to him.
Other than that, I'm pretty much totally in agreement.
Agreed, Gabe. It wasn't an obvious intentional walk – apologies if that was implied. It just seemed as if they were willing to walk Granderson, as opposed to challenging him. Which isn't a bad idea, unless Cano had been the guy following him.
Agreed about Martin. I couldn't believe when it was happening that Girardi batted Jones for Chavez (3-3) instead of for Martin. Unless he just felt he had to go for the 3-run homer and didn't want to risk losing that opportunity with a Chavez DP. But basically, indefensible.
Guys, I love your work and the awesome job you do. I think I need to be talked about on more consistent basis. I'm in a funk but I still feel strong and healthy; shown by great defense at the 3rd. I just need to be more consistent with my power. I need your help to get on an incredible hot streak and get locked in. Perhaps it will start at the end of september? In the mean time what do you guys see as a problem? Is it my timing, swing, leg kick or too eager? Perhaps I should use a lighter bat; Alfonso soriano started to use a lighter bat and he's doing much better. Power is there; it just needs to be more consistent. Thank you for all the great work.
P.S. Talk about me more so I can get going.
Until next time…
great defense at third base? you can hardly move even though you get to DH consistently…
I agree that your offense is better than advertised though