Orioles Get Cerved

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Francisco Cervelli hears the talk. Jesus Montero is the future catcher of the Yankees. If Montero DH's or has his position moved, then Austin Romine is the future catcher of the Yankees. But the only thing that should matter to Cervelli is the here and now. The Yankees current backup, filling in for the sore-calfed Jorge Posada, did all the right things last night to push the Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Cervelli caught A.J. Burnett, who for the second straight game through what seemed to be an effortless game. The multi-tattoed right-hander had a nasty curveball, which he used more than any time in his own recent memory.

Already down 1-0, he relied on his curveball and a plus fastball to strike out Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Matt Wieters with two runners in scoring position in the third. He left with one out in the eighth and blew out a heavy sigh of relief as Miguel Tejada's fly out nearly tied the game.

Burnett might not have had a 4-1 lead at the time if not for Cervelli though. He tripled to lead off the bottom of the 3rd and scored on Ramiro Pena's ground out to tie the game at one apiece. With Brett Gardner on first in the 5th, Cervelli's single helped lead to a two run inning. He reached on a bunt single an inning later, then laid down a perfect sac bunt in the 8th to help set up the forth and final Yankees run.

Cervelli did it with defense too, falling over the railing in front of the Yankees dugout to snare a foul pop. Montero or Romine might be the future, but the Yankees are very happy to have the Cisco Kid right now.