CC Climbs Over The Rockies For 10th

It's a joy. That's the simplest and easiest way to describe watching a game that CC Sabathia pitches. Saturday was another example of pure pitching ecstasy as Sabathia cruised through eight innings against the Colorado Rockies and the Yankees bats pounded out 15 hits in an 8-3 victory.

When Sabathia pitches, the Yankees score runs and they jump started things for the big guy in the 1st inning against Rockies starter Aaron Cook. Brett Gardner reached on a bunt single and promptly stole second base. Curtis Granderson drove in his 55th run with a single to right and advanced to second when outfielder Eric Young booted the baseball. One batter later Alex Rodriguez singled home Granderson for a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees broke the game open in the 3rd when Granderson, who always seems to be in the middle of things, started the inning off with a single. Mark Teixeira doubled to center and Rodriguez followed a double of his own for a 4-0 Yankees lead. It gave the Yankees third baseman 50 RBI on the season and five runs batted in in the last two games.

The Rockies didn't get a runner to second base until Ryan Spilborghs led off the 5th inning with a double. He moved to third on a ground out, but Sabathia retired Matt Pagnozzi on a shallow fly to center and got Carlos Gonzalez to hit a comebacker to strand the runner on third.

Teixeira added his 22nd home run of the season, a 2-run shot, off of Rafael Betancourt in the 8th inning to regain the team RBI lead with 57.

Sabathia's day was done after his 103rd pitch ended the 8th inning. He allowed one run, scattered seven hits, and struck out nine.

Notes

The Yankees captain, Derek Jeter, turns 37 today. Ironically it is also Old Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium.

Alex Rodriguez was unable to score from second on a two out single by Jorge Posada in the 7th inning. It was the second time in the past week that Rodriguez was unable to score on a two out hit. After the game he admitted that he had tweaked his right knee in the Cubs series.