Game 2 Recap

Sure its obnoxious, but hey so are Yankee fans and we love it.

Last night the shaky Yankee bullpen managed to get the ball to the only reliable arm the Yankees have for the end of a game; Mariano Rivera. A two run lead tends to be a sure thing for Rivera and despite allowing a double to his nemesis Marco Scutaro, the Sandman locked down the first victory of the year for New York. Its good to get the first win and the first victory of the season series out of the way so we can avoid the panic of sweep like last season.

A.J. Burnett and Jon Lester started the game and each was less than what they will be during the season. Burnett consistently missed his target, but managed to fight his way through five innings. Lester was much the same as he walked three through five. However, the Yankee bullpen was called on to keep the game tied and this time it held. Alfredo Aceves picked up where he left off with two solid innings of relief, and Dave Robertson, Damaso Marte and Joba Chamberlain were able to piece together one more scoreless inning to get the ball to Mo.

For the past three or four seasons analysts have tried to prophesies the demise of Rivera. "He can't do it forever," they say. Seriously though Rivera is 40 and when you look at Trevor Hoffman who has continued to dominate into his 40s, what would stop Rivera? Mo was sitting at 92 mph last night and that has been the story for about the past two or three years. He doesn't need the velocity though as his true dominance comes more from his impeccable command, a skill that ages well.

Back to the game though. The Sox defense let them down again during the eighth inning. The normally reliable Marco Scutaro threw low to Kevin Youkilis on a routine grounder allowing the inning to continue. Then Nick Johnson did what he does best and drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch to force in the lead run. Cano would add his first homer of the season in the ninth off of Scott Atchison to provide an insurance run for Mo who sealed the deal.

Tomorrow the two team meet for the last time until May 7. Somehow those games are also in Boston, which seems incredibly dumb. The rivalry will not return to the Bronx until a two-game a week and a half later. Anyway the starters for tomorrow are Andy Pettitte vs. new Red Sox John Lackey. I wonder how upset Lackey is about how his last start against the Yankees ended? I guess we'll find out soon enough.