Tagged: Alex Rodriguez
Amazing Lee Dazzling in World Series Game 1
Itwas a total domination by Cliff Lee against the New York Yankees in
World Series Game 1. The left handed pitcher, who was traded from the
Indians in July, pitched in a complete game with 80 strikes and 42
balls on Wednesday night.
Lee, who was a former Cleveland
Indian teammate and a close friend of Game 1 opponent CC Sabathia,
struck out two batters in the first and another two in the second
inning. He allowed an RBI, with extra base hit, for Derek Jeter in the
third inning.
But in the fourth inning Cliff Lee did nothing
but strike out all batters in the box: Teixeira, A-Rod, and Posada. All
three struck out at least twice. A-Rod was struck out thrice.
The Yankees scored in the bottom of the ninth, but it was on throwing
error of shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Lee allowed 6 hits, no walk, and 10
strike outs.
Besides the ten strikeouts and no runs, two of
Lee’s impressive performances include a waiting-in-the-mound catch for
Johnny Damon’s pop-up in the sixth inning and the behind-the-back catch
when Robinson Cano hit the second pitch in the eight inning.
The 2008 Cy Young awardee started his game with a strikeout and ended
it with another strikeout. Both strikeouts were to World Series
veterans Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada.
Cliff Lee did not just
secure the game for the Phillies, along with Chase Utley’s back to back
home runs, he also saved their bullpen. He now holds 3 starts with 3-0
wins in his 2009 post-season resume.
The defending champions beat the Bronx Bombers on 6-1 and now have a 1-0 lead in the 2009 World Series.
Also posted in Bleacher Report.
The Yankees Sweep the Twins Away.
Metrodome in Minnesota as the game is going to determine whether there
will be a game 4 or will the Yankees move forward to the American
League Championship Series.
The Yankees’ starter was “Mr. Iron Gaze” Andy Pettitte who had 14 wins
in the post-season. He may be a force in the mound but the remaining
members of the team must bring some actions too.
And actions and dramas were plenty in the game.
Twins’ first hit is from Cuddyer the tagger.
After tagging Matsui and stepping into the bag for the double play in
the top of the fifth, Michael Cuddyer started the bottom of the inning
line up and gave the Twins their first hit in a 0-2 count.
But that’s all there was for the Twins’ first baseman as he got into a force out when Jason Kubel hit in the right field.
If Cuddyer tags, A-Rod ties.
Top of the 7th. Teixeira grounded out and A-Rod’s on full count, but
nothing could stop the aggressive Alex Rodriguez from helping his team.
Just one hit, just one home run to tie the game. Again.
And tie the game, A-Rod did. It was his second post season home run
and tying run. The third baseman’s last home run, also against the
Twins, was a 2-run
homer in the the ninth inning that tied the game 2 of the series on
Friday night.
A-Rod also scored in the top of the ninth on Robinson Cano’s RBI single.
Posada, more than a catcher.
Bottom of the eight. Nick Punto hit a double off Phil Hughes’ 94 MPH
fastball. But with Span’s groundball, the Yankees made sure that no run
shall score.
With a quick pick, Jeter threw the baseball home to Posada. But giving
up a run was not enough. In a flash, Posada fired to A-Rod tagging
Punto who was late to get back on the third base.
Mo, the closer.
Cuddyer may be able to hit a single against Mo’s 92 MPH cutter, but the
Sandman struck out the next two batters, Jason Kubel and Delmon Young.
The Yankees were then one out away. The last batter in the box was
Brendan Harris, but he grounded out to Jeter to Texeira.
More than Rivera closing the game, Andy Pettitte also made his
contribution as part of the Old Guard, which includes Jeter, Posada and Rivera.
He struck out 7 and allowed only 3 hits in 6 1/3 innings and made his
15th post-season win.
The New York Yankees sealed the game with 4-1 win against the Minnesota Twins.
Their celebration will not just be for the series sweep against the
Minnesota Twins as they are moving forward to the ALCS.
They are going to face the LA Angels.
The End Justifies the Yanks.
If there is one thing that the Yankees are good at, besides Baseball, it’s late inning drama.
They’ve done it before, and they did it again in the Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Twins.
Never mind if A.J. Burnett allowed 3 hits and 5 walks while the
pitchers after him, excluding Phil Coke who only pitched against Joe Mauer, allowed 9 more hits. And it no
longer matter if the Yankees only had 7 hits. They slept better than
the Twins.
The first run was from captain Jeter in the sixth inning driven by
A-Rod’s sharp ground ball to the left field. And yet again, A-Rod helped the Bombers tie
the game as he hit a 2-run homer in the ninth inning.
It was a tough night. The Yankees sent seven pitchers from the bullpen
after Burnett while the Twins sent five. The last to pitch was Jose
Mijares and had to face Mark Teixeira.
There was no second deck text, but the first baseman of the Yankees hit
a solo home run close to the left foul pole, his first walk-off home
run. It was so close that the crowd went on a microsecond pause before
being driven into euphoria.
Mark Teixeira was the hero of the night. He put one more score on board
for the Yankees and gave the Bombers 2-0 lead in the ALDS.
As expected, the wild A.J. Burnett secured a pie on the hero’s face.
Hurray For Halladay. It Will Be a Wonderful Labour Day for the Jays.
Roy Halladay (13-8) was the starter of the Toronto Blue Jays against the New York Yankees on Friday night at the Rogers Centre.
It was a perfect 5 2/3 innings until Doc, who throws right, walked
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada. But the Jays stayed on lead with 4-0
against the Bronx Bombers.
Ramiro Peña, who played shortstop,
doubled in the sixth inning. The next two batters, Eric Hinske and Mark
Teixeira, both earned a walk. With all bases loaded, Alex Rodriguez was
struck out marking Halladay’s sixth strikeout of the night. Three more
Yankees followed in the eight and ninth inning.
Doc is known
to be a splendid pitcher so it was, perhaps it still is, quite a
question why the Yankees chose Joba Chamberlain as the Bombers’
starter. Not that Joba couldn’t win for his team, but he doesn’t
guarantee a perfect game. Joba never had one compared to Halladay who
holds five complete games before Friday night.
The Yankees sent five pitchers to the mound while there was only one Blue Bird.
Halladay is one dominating Blue Bird and he proved it once again as he
closed what he started with 9 up, 9 down in the last three innings. Doc
summed it to 21 up, 21 down with 9 strikeouts. Roy Halladay now holds a
14-8 record this season.
The Jays’ bullpen had an early Labour Day observed and Roy Halladay sealed the game with 6-0 win against the New York Yankees.
Hope, Faith, Love . . . for the Yankees, and Baseball 