It only took five tries, but the Yankees finally jumped the last hurtle they had waiting for them this season when they defeated the Angels in Angel Stadium. It wasn't exactly a text book win and there where plenty of things that they did wrong, but in the end the Yankees jumped on the Angels, blew the lead and then rallied again for the victory.
The last part is the most important part of the equation. A week and a half ago we saw Brett Gardner come in to pinch run for Mark Teixeira. Gardner then Scioscia'd the Angels by stealing third and scoring on the subsequent Mike Napoli throwing error. The Angels, not to be shown up by their own style of play, did almost the exact same thing last night after Robinson Cano's fielding error allowed the tying run on base.
Howie Kendrick then stole second and moved to third when Jorge Posada threw the ball into center field. Phil Hughes recovered enough to keep the game tied and in the top half of the ninth, the Yankees were able to unleash Brett Gardner again. Gardner has a weapon the Yankees have lacked for years: legs. Gardner's ability to steal bases virtually at will is something that could change their fortunes in any game.
Last night is the perfect example. After his lead-off single in the ninth Gardner took larger and larger leads off of first base. The Angels knew he was going. Everyone in the ballpark knew he was going and Gardner still stole the base easily. That allowed Jeter to walk and then Johnny Damon dropped a perfect two-strike bunt. And of course A-Rod came through with a clutch sacrifice fly, but if not for Gardner running Torii Hunter would have had a shot at throwing out the runner at the plate.
So for the second time in two week the Yankees have hurt the Angels at their own game. In other news from last night, Chad Gaudin was serviceable again and has been solid in his four September starts. Despite that solid effort, I would have to say that discussions of his exploits have been a tad overblown. Sure he is a far better option than Joba Chamberlain at the moment, but Gaudin has only made it past the fifth twice in those four starts and while the Yankees have the depth right now to pick him up, they will be in trouble if the have to worry about covering him or Joba in a playoff series.
Either way it will be nice that these will be the questions discussed over the next two weeks as last night's victory dropped the divisional and homefield advantage magic number down to six. The Yankees can start to get their ducks in a row and prepare to make a mark on the playoffs for the 14 time in 15 seasons.
No comments:
Post a Comment