2009 New York Yankees/Game 11/Indians
By Matthew
New York Yankees - 6 (6-5)
Cleveland Indians - 5 (3-8)
WInning Pitcher: Brian Bruney (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Jensen Lewis (1-1)
HR: Mark DeRosa (2)
Johnny Damon (1)
Mark Teixeira (2)
Melky Cabrera (1)
Robinson Cano (3)
Derek Jeter (3)
A Strange Game.
Yankees had Joba Chamberlain on the hill, facing journeyman, Anthony Reyes, and got FIVE HR's from the Offense, but had to scrape from behind to eek out a 1-run victory. The result, while indicative of a certain grittiness on their part, is a cause for some slight concern, as Joba (like CC the game before) was really not sharp and was without excuse, facing a team of big swingers who should be tailor made for his arsenal. The issue, as it was with CC - is strikes, or rather, their inability to THROW them...Joba had five walks to match CC's output and that allowed the few hits he gives up to be of the RBI variety.
The Yankees expect FAR better from their young power pitcher and, this outing, certainly makes one wonder if his shoulder may have some residual issues that he isn't admitting to. HIs velocity, which reached 95 at times, was 91-92 for most of the game and that just will not do. Until we see more of what we saw last season in his 12 starts, there are going to be concerns about his arm health - 23 year olds who lose 6-7 MPH after an injury shutdown cause Guru to lose sleep!
Joba battled through it, as best he could, but really could not muster the sort of stuff he is accustomed to and the Indians, a fastball hitting group not asked to cope with the better heat, took advantage and a 5-3 lead by the time of Joba's exit, after 4.2 innings.
Unlike the previous game, when two Yankee relievers (Marte, Veras) poured accelerant on the fire...this time the Yankee relief was exceptional, providing the final 4.1 innings of scorelessness that was needed to allow the Yankee Offense to come all the way back and win. Phil Coke, Jonathan Albaladejo and Brian Bruney all were in complete control and Mariano Rivera, entering to his signature 'Enter Sandman' for the first time, across the street from his old office, got touched (the nerve!) for two hits by the Indians #8 and #9 batters (81 year old Tony Graffanino, Asdrubal Cabrera) and had to clamp down to strike out Grady Sizemore and Mark DeRosa (twice due to a missed call) and secure the win.
Offensively, the Yankees reached the seats those five times, but each was a SOLO affair, causing the closeness of the contest. Damon and Teixeira went back-to-back early, Melky got his first of the year on a no-doubter, Robinson Cano sent one to the 2nd deck for his 3rd and the Captain, Derek Jeter, who is hitting .600 this season in the 8th and 9th inning, took Lewis out to RF for his 3rd and the game, his third 'decider' in 4 games this week.
Today it's Chien-Ming Wang trying to rediscover the magic against the team that first revealed he was not superhuman in the 2007 playoffs - the Indians will not help him, he'll have to be on his game to handle a strong offensive team that knows him well.
