WHY BARTOLO COLON GOT A WIN IN MY BOOK

During the YES broadcast today Michael Kay mentioned that Joe Girardi told him that Bartolo Colon's season, thus far, has pleasantly surprised him maybe more than any player on the Yankees roster this year. I second that! I'll be the first to admit how wrong I was about Colon and I'm sure I am not the only one. Who would have imagined back in March we would be talking about how important Colon is to our starting rotation on August 11th? It's one of the few times in my life I am glad I was wrong!

Although Colon left the game after 6 innings with a no decision, in my eyes, that was a win for him. He continues to impress not only the fans but the whole Yankee organization. What turned out to be a shot in the dark in the Spring when they signed Colon has turned out to be one of the most impressive free agent signings in all of MLB. Can you say AL Comeback Player Of the Year?

Okay, on to the game. First the pitching...Colon really was impressive. Giving up just 2 runs in 6 innings and he really never seemed to tire. Girardi made the call to not let him start the 7th after 90 pitches and instead bring in Rafael Soriano. Although it would have been nice to see Colon get back out there I believe Girardi really made the right call. I mean Soriano only threw 4 pitches last night and this was a spot today when Joe really needed to hold the Angels at 2 runs. Colon's final line: 6 innings pitched, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

As mentioned Soriano took over in the 7th and was sensational. As was David Robertson in the 8th. You just cannot say enough great things about what David Robertson has done for this team. He lowered his season ERA to 1.35 and is as close to a guarantee as you get out there. As a fan do you have any doubt that Robertson will shut hitters down? I mean its almost shocking when he doesn't strike out the side! Cory Wade started the 9th but after giving up a single and than a double he was pulled for Mariano Rivera. Hard to get down on Wade today because the guy has been just lights out for the Yanks. So Wade, I ain't mad at ya!

So in comes Mo with a save opportunity. We all know that Mo is coming off two bad games in a row so this seemed like it would be an easy enough save for the greatest closer of all time. But it was not to be. Mo did get his 30th save of the season but not before he surrendered 3 runs, via a 3-run-HR from Russell Branyan to bring the Angels within one run of tying up this game. I refuse to waste anymore space though writing about how we need to be worried about Mo. Nonsense. He is in a bit of a funk but he will get out of it like he always does...end of story!

Offensively it was once again Curtis Granderson and Robbie Cano who carried the Bronx Bombers. Grandy's 2-run HR in the 6th tied the game and Cano's laser beam grand slam in the 7th sealed the deal for the Yanks! Cano finished 3-4 with 4 RBI's and is now hitting .303. By the way, not to go unnoticed was the Captain's 3-3 day including a walk and 2 runs scored. The Captain had a perfect day at the plate as the Yankees DH.

All in all it was a great day in the Bronx, a little anxious at the end but the Yankees did what they had to do in this series; taking two out of three games. Tomorrow night, the Tampa Bay Rays are in town...

Final Score: Yankees 6 - Angels 5
And by the way, not to change the subject, but I must because this is aggravating me. Am I the only one who is sick and tired of seeing a smiling, goofing around, AJ Burnett in the dugout during games? I mean, is he just rubbing it on our faces that he literally doesn't care about his dreadful season? Hey AJ, seems like you are having plenty of fun on the days you aren't pitching, aren't you? Remember that black eye? Keep it up... you may get another.

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer

Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23

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