Yanks Win the Pennant
By Frank Russo ~ October 26th, 2009. Filed under: 2009 Playoffs, Frank Russo Rants and Raves.
Final Score Yankees 5, Anaheim 2
7 wins down, 4 more to go for “Girardi’s Minions.”
It was a night of exaltation and jubilation at the “New House.” The Yankees finally got the “Rally Monkey” off their backs, defeating the Angels 5-2 to secure the franchises 40th American League Pennant. It was another vintage performance by Andy Pettitte, who pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, giving up just one run and seven hits while striking out six and walking one. Pettitte was relieved with one out in the top of the 7th inning by Joba Chamberlain, who retired pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar to finish out the inning. Mo Rivera pitched the final two innings, giving up a run on two hits to gain his 37th career post season save.
Anaheim starter Joe Saunders managed to squelch Yankee scoring threats in both the 1st and 2nd innings. Anaheim actually took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by former Yankee Bobby Abreu in the 3rd inning. The Yankees finally broke through in the 4th inning on a bases loaded two-run single by Johnny Damon and a bases loaded walk by A-Rod, giving the Yanks a 3-1 lead.
Anaheim made it 3-2 in the 8th inning when leadoff man Shone Figgins flared a single to left and later scored on a single by Vlad Guerrero. New York came right back in the bottom half of the stanza, scoring two insurance runs with the help of shoddy Anaheim defense. After reliever Ervin Santana walked Robbie Cano , Mike Scioscia brought in Scott Kazmir to face Nick Swisher. Swisher laid down a sacrifice bunt that Kendrick dropped at first base for an error. The next batter, Melky, also attempted a sacrifice, but Kazmir threw the ball away, which allowed Cano to scamper home. Mark Teixeira would later end the night’s scoring with a long sac fly to center.
A-Rod continued his fabulous post season, going 2-2 with 3 walks. He’s now batting .438 with 5 homers and 12 RBI.
Johnny Damon was 2-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.
Bad night for both Posada and Matsui, who went a combined 0-9.
Talk about reversing bad Karma, coming into the game the Yanks had lost Game 6 the past four times they played in one.
More good signs from Teixeira, who went 2-4 with an RBI.
Pettitte’s victory was his 16th overall postseason win, which is also an all-time post season record.
In order to change his luck, Nick Swisher had CC Sabathia give him a Mohawk before the game. Armed with both his “Swish Hawk” and new, heavier bats that he just received two days ago, Swisher singled and scored during the fourth inning rally. He also continued his heady play in the field, doubling Guerrero off 1st base on a fly out to right in the top of the 2nd.
Anaheim pitchers issued 9 walks in the game, six of which were issued to A-Rod and Jeter alone.
The Yankees had 12 LOB, Anaheim 6 LOB.
Yankees were 2-8 with RISP, Anaheim 2-6.
Long time Yankees tormenter Chone Figgins batted .130 for the series. Bobby Abreu batted .160 while Kendry Morales batted just .167.
The YES Network’s post game coverage was again, as usual, first rate.
MLB Network’s in-studio coverage was less than stellar. You could almost see Billy Ripken cringe every time he had to compliment the Yankees while Joe Magrane looked his usually bored self.
Nice to hear both Ray from Woodhaven and James from Manhattan, two of WFAN’s most notorious callers, call in to whine about the Yankees victory last night.
Speaking of WFAN, Mark Malusis did a great job last night covering the Yankees series victory while handling calls from Yankee Haters like butter rolling off a knife.
Philadelphia fans have been chirping for several days now on Philadelphia sports talk radio about how the Yanks have no chance against their team and their “vaunted” offense. To that I say it should be a memorable fall classic. Go Yanks!
