Saturday, August 16, 2008

Gardner comes through again

The Yankees needed this game bad. They needed last night's game too but like today it felt like they were trying their hardest to avoid a victory. They got another solid outing from Sidney Ponson. Ponson has been better than anyone could have expected over his last four starts, posting an ERA just under three. And yet the Yankees have only won two of those games after today's extra inning affair.

The offense just can't finish. It seemed like after they tied the game they were leaving men on base every inning. Maybe this time up Brett Gardner can provide the spark they need to jump start the offense.

In spite of all the injuries that the rotation and pitching staff have endured this season, they have performed an adequate enough job to win games. It has been the offense that has struggled and it seems to be contagious. The championship teams of the late 90s were great because every player in the lineup was able to pickup the guy before him if he couldn't come through. This lineup feels like everyone is trying to hit a six-run home run to cover up the deficiencies of everyone else.

Maybe if Brett Gardner can show that he can come through when it counts, Arod or Giambi can relax and just swing the bat. Both of those guys look like their pressing when men are on and it could be because they feel like if they don't get the job done no one will. Almost every season has a victory of some kind that defines the season or turns the corner for a team.

Now today's victory means nothing if the Yankees go out and fall down tomorrow, but if they can put together a strong effort tomorrow and then take two of three from the Jays, then the season will look a lot brighter. Joba is almost ready to throw again and Phil Hughes has looked strong in his rehab starts, so reinforcements are on the way if this team shows it has some fight in it and that the season isn't lost.

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