YANKEES HOLD ONTO VICTORY AT FENWAY

Tuesday night’s loss was pretty awful considering the Yankees had a multitude of opportunities to put the game away early, but they failed to do so before David Robertson lost the game in the ninth. I can tolerate the losses to teams like the Rays and Orioles to some extent since both of those teams are in contention, but losing games to Boston at this time of year is basically unacceptable. However, the Yanks were able to pick themselves up off the mat and hold onto a 5-4 victory at Fenway.

The Yankees followed up last night’s 1-for-12 showing with RISP with an 0-for-13 showing on Wednesday night. Thankfully, the Yankees were able to club three home runs, two of which were by Curtis Granderson. The Grandyman hit his first off Aaron Cook in the fourth, a solo shot, before hitting his second in the seventh, good for a two run shot. In between those two homers was a two-run shot by Robinson Cano over the Green Monster in the fourth off Cook.

Speaking of Cook, he shut down the Yanks through the first three innings before they were able to get to him for three in the fourth. He lasted 5 innings while allowing three runs.

In what could be David Phelps’ last start, he was able to prove that his last two starts against the Orioles were a fluke. He pitched a strong 5.2 innings, allowed just one run on five hits while punching out five and walking just one. With the possible return of Andy Pettitte next Tuesday, this could theoretically be Phelps’ last start of the season, unless of course another injury arises. Either way, big ups to big Phelps.

Following Phelps was Clay Rapada in the sixth. With two out and a runner on at first, he was able to strike out James Loney in what was a 3-1 game at the time. Cody Eppley and Boone Logan combined to get one out while allowing a run each in the seventh. Joba followed Logan, and he allowed his inherited runner to score on a Mike Aviles double. David Robertson picked up two outs in the eighth before Rafael Soriano came on to attempt for a four-out save.

The game was 5-3 when Rafael Soriano came in following a James Loney double. He was able to punch out Cody Ross on a nasty slider, and moments later, he and Bobby V were both ejected for arguing the called strike three. Soriano was then able to finish off the save in the ninth, though he certainly made it interesting. He gave up a long solo homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia to lead off the frame. He nearly gave up the lead to the next batter, Daniel Nava, as he flew out to the wall in left. Soriano, thankfully, picked up the final two outs for his 37th save of the season.

A scary moment in this game for the Yanks came in the eighth, as Derek Jeter suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle after grounding into an inning-ending double play. However, after the game he said that he’ll play on Thursday. Read JETER TAKEN OUT OF GAME, INJURY POSSIBLE, for more info.

Final was 5-4, Yankees

The Yankees have been alternating wins and losses for a week now, and that pattern continued with a win on Wednesday. Hopefully they’ll break that trend and pick up the series win on Thursday. If they do, it’ll be the first time they’ve won back-to-back games since winning the second and third game of the series against the Rangers on August 14 and 15. That’s nearly a month’s worth of baseball without winning consecutive games. No wonder they’re hanging on for dear life in the AL East Standings.

Anyway, the Orioles walked off against the Rays, so we’re still tied in the race for the AL East crown. In the rubber game against the Red Sox on Thursday, the Yanks will send out team win leader Phil Hughes (14-12, 4.13 ERA) against Felix Doubront (10-8, 5.21 ERA).




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse


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