Yankees Pass Torch, Stay Alive

Maybe it was much more than symbolic, for when Phil Hughes replaced Roger Clemens last night, the Yankees fortunes changed. Clemens balky hamstring forced him from the game, but after allowing an inherited runner to score, Hughes settled in and kept his team in the game. The result was an 8-4 Yankees victory and the chance to fight another day.

Clemens aggravated the injury when Kenny Lofton attempted a bunt down the 3rd base line (which evoked old anger- why why why did no Yankee try to bunt on Schilling and his ketchupy sock in '04!). With his leg tightly wrapped between innings, Clemens returned to the hill, but couldn't push over his front leg. Having made one trip to the mound already, with trainer Gene Monahan, Joe Torre pulled Clemens for maybe the last time after the Rocket struck out Victor Martinez for the 1st out of the 3rd inning. With George Steinbrenner's words casting a shadow over the Stadium, things seemed grim.

The Yankees got the lead off man on in each of the first 2 innings, but Jake Westbrook induced a pair of double play grounders and it looked like it was going to be another poor night at the plate. But Johnny Damon got them on the board with an RBI single and Westbrook's history against the Yankees caught up to him in the 5th.

Hideki Matsui laced a 1-out single to left and Robinson Cano followed with a double to left. Melky Cabrera lined a singled to left center to cut the margin to 3-2, with Cano stopping at 3rd. That brought up Damon for the biggest at-bat of the season. Hoping to drive in a run with sac fly, Damon did even better when Westbrook left a pitch up in the zone. The Yankees left fielder hit a high drive to right that landed near the old Yankees bullpen for a 3-run home run and a 5-3 lead.

The Yankee Stadium noise level went up 100% and the golden arm of Hughes continued to keep the Indians bats silent. In the 6th the Yankees put the game out of reach. A-Rod led off with an infield single (for anyone criticizing Jeter's lack of range and arm strength, be glad you don't have Jhonny Peralta). Eric Wedge sent for lefty Aaron Fultz to turn Posada around to the right side, but Posada lashed a single to left to put 2 men aboard with no one out. With the situation calling for a bunt, Torre sent up Doug Mientkiewicz to pinch-hit for Jason Giambi, and the sacrifice worked successfully.

The Indians intentionally walked Matsui to set up a force at any base, but Cano ripped a single to right. The ball skipped under Trot Nixon's glove and nearly rolled to the wall as all 3 base runners scored for an 8-3 lead.

Joba Chamberlain got his 1st taste of Stadium post-season experience, breezing through the 7th before giving up a run and struggling in the 8th. There was much second guessing after the game for leaving Joba in a 2nd inning, but you have to win game 3 before you get to game 4. It was a no-brainer. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 9th, striking out the final 2 and the Yankees had stayed alive.

photos courtesy of AP