Yankees Smack The Twins With A Broom...Again

For the second straight post-season, the New York Yankees have swept the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series.

While the first two games were loaded with drama, the clincher seemed to be in the bag from the start. Phil Hughes was dominant; his fastball blew past hitters, his curveball broke off nastily, and his occasional change up did it's work. All told it was seven innings of shutout baseball for Hughes in his first post-season start. Hughes allowed just four hits, walked one, and struck out six.

Hughes' counterpart, left-hander Brian Duensing wasn't so lucky. Also making his first post-season start, Duensing departed in the 4th with a 5-0 deficit.

The Yankees MVP was in the middle of things as usual and got things started in the 2nd inning. Robinson Cano drilled a triple to center field and came home with the game's first run on a Jorge Posada single. One inning later Nick Swisher doubled to center and scored on Mark Teixeira's frozen rope single to left.

The Yankees delivered the knockout punch in the 4th. It was Cano again starting things off with a single. Then Marcus Thames pounded a sinker into the bleachers in right-center field for a 4-0 lead. Duensing retired Posada, but was sent to the showers when Curtis Granderson walked. The final run of the inning would be added to Duensing record when Granderson stole second base and moved to third on Joe Mauer's throwing error. Brett Gardner brought his outfield partner to the plate with a sac fly to left off Matt Guerrier.

Hughes, meanwhile, was cruising. He retired the first nine hitters of the game and faced the minimum number of batters through four innings. The Twins put two aboard with one out in the 5th, but Hughes struck out Michael Cuddyer and got rookie Danny Valencia to fly out. An inning later Orlando Hudson and Mauer stroked back to back two out singles, but Hughes blew away Jason Kubel for the third out.

Hudson would finally get Minnesota on the board in the 8th with an RBI single off a shaky Kerry Wood, but the Twins left the bases loaded. Boone Logan came on to get Kubel on a pop up and David Robertson retired Delmon Young on an inning ending fly ball. Then it was down to Mariano Rivera who, though it was not a save situation, retired the Twins in order with relative ease.

The Yankees now will wait to play until Friday when the ALCS starts in either Tampa Bay or Texas. The Rays avoid a sweep this afternoon by defeating the Rangers 6-3.

For the Twins, different year, same old story.

Vintage Pettitte Gives Yankees 2-0 Edge

Andy Pettitte was concerned about his back and a lack of sharpness in his last two regular season outings. But his performance tonight against the Minnesota Twins should alleviate any of those fears. Pettitte gave up a 2nd inning run, but shut down the Twins the rest of the way as the Yankees won 5-2 for a commanding 2-0 ALDS series lead.

With the game tied 2-2 in the 7th, the Yankees took control against former teammate, if you can really call him that, Carl Pavano, but not before a bit of controversy. Lance Berkman got an extra chance to hit after an apparent called third strike was ruled a ball by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected from the game and the former Astro took advantage of the situation, drilling an ankle high pitch to deep center for a go ahead RBI double. The Yankees added an insurance run later in the inning when Derek Jeter's liner dropped in front of a diving Jason Kubel for a 4-2 lead.

The Twins had a chance to break the game open early when they loaded the bases in the 2nd inning on singles by Delmon Young and Jim Thome and a one out walk to Kubel. Danny Valencia gave the Twins a 1-0 lead with a sac fly, but Pettitte got out of further trouble when J.J. Hardy lined out to Robinson Cano.

Alex Rodriguez tied the game with a sac fly in the 4th, but Pavano got out of his own jam by inducing an inning ending double play from Nick Swisher.

Berkman drilled a 423-ft home run in the 5th inning for a 2-1 Yankees lead, but the Twins tied it back up in the 6th on Orlando Hudson's round tripper.

Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera recorded the final six outs in a row to put the Twins' backs up against the wall for Game 3 in New York on Saturday.

Teixeira Home Run Takes ALDS Opener

Written for BaseballDigest.com.

If you have ever watched a professional wrestling match you know that the guy in the, oh let’s say white, blue striped trunks, pounds away mercilessly on the guy in the, oh let’s say grey trunks. It appears the guy in the grey trunks is done for, but suddenly the tide turns and the guy in grey gets off the mat and delivers his own monumental blows. Then it is anyone’s contest. That was the case tonight in Game 1 of the ALDS series between the white, blue striped clad Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, wearing their road greys. In the end the Yankees rode a Mark Teixeira 2-run, 7th inning home run to a 6-4 win and a 1-0 advantage in the best of five series.

Twins starter Francisco Liriano started out Wednesday night’s game like the ace of the Twins staff he has become. But just as he faltered down the stretch of the regular season, Liriano wore out as his pitch count rose in the 6th inning.

The Dominican born left-hander was dominant early, making Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Jorge Posada look silly for three of his seven strikeouts. He had retired nine straight and cruised into the 6th inning up 3-0. After Nick Swisher was Liriano’s 10th straight victim, Teixeira ripped a double into the left field corner and the tide began to turn. Alex Rodriguez fought his way to a full count walk and Robinson Cano showed why he’s a top AL MVP contender when he delivered an RBI single to right to get the Yankees on the board. Liriano bounced back to strike out Marcus Thames for the second out, but Jorge Posada roped a single to right to cut the deficit to one. Curtis Granderson, who had been criticized all season for his at-bats against left-handers, drove a 94-mph fastball off the wall in deep right-center for a 2-run triple that put the Yankees on top for the first time, 4-3. It also ended Liriano’s night.

Minnesota’s offense had given Liriano support early when Michael Cuddyer hit a 2-run bomb off CC Sabathia for a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning. A frame later, aggressive base running by Orlando Hudson helped manufacture a third run. The O-Dog singled through the left side and a batter later advanced all the way to third base when Teixeira had to dive to beat Joe Mauer to first base to record the out on Mauer’s tapper. The O-Dog’s hustle paid off when Posada mishandled a Sabathia sinker for a run producing passed ball.

Sabathia couldn’t maintain the lead in the home half of the 6th after he retired the first two hitters. The Twins loaded the bases and Sabathia, showing a rare lack of control, walked rookie Danny Valencia to force in the tying run.

Teixeira’s mammoth go-ahead blast off of Jesse Crain stayed just inside the right field foul pole and allowed Girardi to begin mixing and matching with his bullpen. Boone Logan, David Robertson, Kerry Wood, and Mariano Rivera shut down the Twins the rest of the way and guaranteed the Yankees at least a split when they head home for Game 3 on Friday in New York. Rivera recorded a four out, four broken bat save, getting Denard Span to ground out with the tying runs on base to end the 8th inning and Jim Thome to pop out as the tying run in the 9th.

From Joe Girardi’s press conference,

On Sabathia: “..it’s odd that he walked that many guys, but I threw the ball decent.”

On Granderson: “Grandy’s been a different guy since August in Texas. He made that little adjustment..he’s a different guy.”

From Ron Gardenhire’s press conference:

On leaving Liriano in to face Granderson: “Granderson was hitting like .188 against him. We wanted to let Liriano try to work his way out of it.”

Pork Chops and Apple Sauce

Yes, it is a Brady Bunch reference to when Peter was trying to find himself and decided to be Humphrey Bogart reincarnate. It also has to do with last night's Yankees game with the Minnesota Twins.

You probably have heard all about it by now, but in case you haven't, while Javier Vazquez was getting chopped up by the Twins, YES' Kimberly Jones was having her pork chop assaulted. Wait, that sounded really unseamly. More precisely, Kimwas demonstrating a Target Field food item - pork chop on a stick, when a Yankees fan leaned over and took a bite out of the "other white meat" (not Kim's arm). She was disgusted. Announcers Michael Kay and Leiter were disgusted and hysterical all at the same time. And despite Kim's tweet later on that the incident will all be forgotten about when she returns to work next week, the porkchop horror will most certainly live on.

As for the game itself, yeah, that was pretty much a horror show as well. Vazquez reverted back to his pre-Tigers and Mets contests self and was smacked around by the Twins lineup. It didn't help any that the Yankees lineup continued to stagnate. And for a final show stopper, Chad Gaudin marked his return to the Yankees by giving up a 3-run home run to Jason Kubel to put the game completely out of reach.

Vazquez looked uncomfortable most of the night. His fastball continued to be unimpressive and his mechanics and psyche seemed off. He put the Yankees in a 3-0 hole after just two innings and the RISP-less Bronx Bombers, despite 10 hits, couldn't come back.

Robinson Cano did his best to prove otherwise, driving in both Yankees runs with a single in the 4th and double in the 6th. But down 4-2 in the bottom of the 6th, Vazquez allowed a solo home run to Kubel, who was just getting started.

Joe and Mauer and Justin Morneau each reached against the always unreliable Chan Ho Park to start the 7th and two batters later Kubel crushed a Gaudin meatball into the right field seats. Welcome back Chad.

Notes

Some bats are starting to come around a bit. Derek Jeter's two hits last night put him on an 8-18 (.444) streak. Mark Teixeira had his second straight two hit game, though both he and Alex Rodriguez continued to deliver in the big spots.

Big Game Andy

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Andy Pettitte has had a lot of big game starts in his career. More often than not, he's come out on top. You wouldn't think a late May game would qualify in the big game category, but that was the case tonight when Pettitte took the mound and the win in the Yankees 3-2 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.

With a slumping offense and a shortened bullpen, Joe Girardi needed Pettitte to come through with a huge game and that's just what he did. Eight innings, two earned runs and a 3-2 victory.

Pettitte threw 94 pitches and was warming up to start the 9th, but it was merely a ploy to give Mariano Rivera additional time to get ready.

Rivera, who struggled through a save in the conclusion of game one, breezed through the 9th to give Pettitte his sixth win of the season against just a single defeat. In picking up career win no. 235, Pettitte didn't walk a batter and struck out four. He's now in sole possession of 61st place on the all-time wins list and is 3rd on the Yankees' franchise list with 198 victories).

The win, which gave the Yankees two on the day after a victory in the completion of Tuesday night's suspended game, came in the 9th when Nick Swisher drove a Jon Rauch delivery over the fence in right field for a solo home run.

Notes

The Yankees gained 1 1/2 games on the Rays, who lost for the second straight night to the resurgent Red Sox.

Kevin Russo once again came through with a clutch hit when he doubled in the Yankees first run of the game. Brett Gardner later added an RBI triple.

One Down, One to Go

photo courtesy of newswer.com

Derek Jeter's offense and defense helped carry the Yankees to a victory in the completion of last night's suspended game.

Jeter's solo home run was the game's lone run in a contest that began at 8:05 ET last night. A.J. Burnett picked up the victory, but the win didn't come without some close calls.

Joba Chamberlain escaped a two on, two out jam in the 8th and then Mariano Rivera held his breath as J.J. Hardy flew out to the warning track in left to start the 9th. Rivera then issued a one out walk to Jim Thome, but got Denard Span to bounce into a 4-6-3 DP to end the game.

In addition to the offensive play of the game, Jeter also sparkled defensively, making his patented jump play.

Field of Screams

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Written for Baseballdigest.com

"Field of Screams", the perfect title for a post about the New York Yankees sweeping the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. The perfect title for the Yankees abusing the AL Central leaders once again.

It in fact turned out to be the perfect title, but not for the original reason I expected. Sometime during the 3 o'clock hour on Sunday, there was a blood curdling scream heard throughout the Metropolitan area. You know, the kind of scream you hear in movies. The kind of scream that scares all of the pigeons from their perches in Central Park.

The kind of scream you hear from Yankees fans when Mariano Rivera gives up the rarest of rares, a game losing grand slam. Rivera may have been screaming inside, but he did his best not to show it. Working for only the third time since April 30, Rivera was asked to protect a 3-1 lead by recording the final four outs of the game.

But after the Twins loaded the bases with two outs against Joba Chamberlain, Rivera walked pinch-hitter Jim Thome to force in the tying run. While fans and the media scrambled to figure out when it was that it had last occured, Jason Kubel then became the first major leaguer since Bill Selby (in 2002) to go deep against the Yankees closer with the bases loaded. A sure fire Yankees win turned into a 6-3 defeat before a stunned Bat Day crowd.

It was the Twins first win in the Bronx since 2007. Oh, for the record, May 6, 2005 was the last time Rivera issued a bases loaded walk. The A's Keith Ginter was the lucky recipient on that day.

By now the pigeons should be back in the park.

Pettitte Keeps Twins Killing Going

You could tell that Andy Pettitte hadn't thrown (10 days) in a competitive situation in a while. But the veteran, who missed a start due to mild inflammation in his elbow, was still good enough to pick up a 6-plus inning victory as the Yankees continued their dominance of the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Mark Teixeira and Jorge Posada hit tape measure home runs and the Yankees bullpen walked the tightrope to a 7-1 triumph.

Pettitte's stuff wasn't as crisp as usual, but it wasn't bad either. He threw 95 pitches and used his trademark double play grounder to escape a jam in the 2nd inning. He also had to be holding his breath when, clinging to a 2-0 lead, Joe Mauer crushed a Pettitte delivery with two aboard. But Brett Gardner made the putout in deep left-center field and Pettitte was on his way to a 5-0 record.

The Yankees built a 3-1 lead against Twins starter Francisco Liriano and then blew the game open against the Minnesota bullpen in the 7th. Teixeira absolutely crushed a Jesse Crain pitch into the luxury box/third tier in right field for a 5-1 lead. Posada added two more runs to the scoreboard when he blasted a Ron Mahay pitch to dead center. The ball hit a cement divider behind the center field wall and ricocheted up into the center field seats above Monument Park.

Despite being ineffective all season and having blown the lead on Friday night, Damaso Marte continues to get called upon in tough situations. This time it was to protect a one run lead with two on and two out in the 7th inning. Pinch-hitter Jim Thome swung and missed at a hanging Marte fastball before taking a called third strike to end the inning.

Notes

Sergio Mitre is on the hill for the Yankees today as they go for the sweep of the three game series. Nick Blackburn will toe the rubber for the Twins.

Javier Vazquez will be skipped on Monday/Tuesday so that Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia can start on regular rest. Vazquez will open the interleague series with the Mets on Friday.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Andy Pettitte and Hughes became the fourth set of Yankees teammates in the last 50 years to win their first five decisions. The others were Ron Guidry and Tommy John (1980), David Wells and Mike Mussina (2003), and Kevin Brown and El Duque (2004).

Help Wanted: Twins Interim Manager

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

At the conclusion of tonight's game with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins general manager Bill Smith announced the team is looking for an interim manager. Don't worry, Ron Gardenhire, one of the best managers in the game, has not been fired. It's just that Smith figures maybe someone else will have better luck when his team plays the Yankees.

Okay, so all of the above is bs, but you could understand Smith thinking that way. With tonight's 7-4 Yankees victory, the Twins have lost 24 of the last 27 games played in the Bronx. Add to that playoff losses in 2003, 2004, and 2009. Things weren't much better in the Metrodome where the Twins won only 11 of their last 29 games with the Yankees.

Like many of their previous encounters, the Twins had a chance to win tonight's ball game. They rallied against Damaso Marte to take a 4-3 lead in the 7th, but the Twins' pen imploded in the bottom of the 7th.

Francisco Cervelli led the inning off with a single against Twins starter Scott Baker and Derek Jeter followed with a bullet off of Baker's leg for a double. Lefty Brian Duensing retired Brett Gardner, but Gardenhire made the dangerous decision to intentionally walk Mark Teixeira and face Alex Rodriguez with the bases loaded.

Gardenhire had the unenviable task of picking his poison, but Rodriguez was 4-6 lifetime with a trio of home runs against the reliever, Matt Guerrier, that the Twins' skipper opted for.

Quicker than you could say, well, Gardenhire, A-Rod launched a grand slam to left to put the Yankees back on top for good. The Yankees third baseman also scored points in the post-game by taking the high road when YES' Kim Jones wondered if getting intentionally walked irritated him.

Joba Chamberlain (three K's) and Mariano Rivera made quick work of the Twins over the final two innings to hang yet another "L" on Gardenhire and the Twins.

Notes

Per Sweeny Murti on Twitter: "Joba has struck out 7 of last 10 batters (over 3 apps)." And this from Jack Curry on Twitter: "Memo to ML Managers: According to STATS, Inc., A-Rod is 4-4 w 2 HRS and 14 RBI in six plate apps after Teixeira was intent walked b4 him."

Nick Swisher left the game after one at-bat due to his bad bicep. (Correction) He went for an MRI, which showed nothing out of the ordinary a slight tear. He's listed as day to day.

Francisco Cervelli continues to be remarkable. Two more hits tonight, threw out a would-be base stealer, and delivered an RBI triple for an insurance run in the 8th inning. He's now 10-13 with runners in scoring position. Cervelli was even impressed by it during the post-game. "That's pretty good", he said with a chuckle.

A.J. Burnett started the game with a shaky first inning, but settled down and left the game with a 3-2 lead in the 7th. He did give up a scorched home run to Joe Mauer.

Yankees Polish Off Twins

Yankees Complete Sweep of Twins

Written for Baseball Digest Online by: Drew Sarver on 12th October 2009

Solid starting pitching, timely hitting by Alex Rodriguez, and poor base running by the Minnesota Twins. That’s been the standard of this years AL Division Series playoff between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. The trend continued last night when the Yankees defeated the Central Division title winners 4-1 to to complete a three game sweep of the first round playoff. The Yankees will now face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who also completed a three game sweep of the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, in the ALCS beginning Friday at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees and Andy Pettitte trailed Carl Pavano and the Twins 1-0 after six innings. That’s right, the former “American Idle” had blanked the Bombers on just two hits up to that point. Pettitte was nearly Pavano’s equal, having not allowed a base runner through four innings, and just one earned run and three hits. That’s when the Yankees newest Mr. October, at least for round one round of the playoffs, struck.

Alex Rodriguez came to the plate with out in the 7th and drilled a 3-2 fastball high atop the wall in right-center field for a game tying home run. In seven career post season game against the Twins, Rodriguez has now driven in nine runs. Pavano bounced back to strike out Hideki Matsui for the inning’s second out, but Jorge Posada went the opposite way for a solo home run to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

The Yankees bullpen then took over as Pettitte exited with one out in the bottom of the 7th. Joba Chamberalin allowed a double to Delmon Young, but retired Brendan Harris and Jose Morales to preserve the lead. Phil Hughes would need a little luck in the 8th inning to do the same.

Nick Punto doubled to lead off the inning and Denard Span followed with a bouncer back up the middle. Derek Jeter cut the ball off, but had no play on Span at first. But the Captain alertly spun and threw home to keep Punto at third. He did more than just that. Punto had gone half way down the line and was now caught in between. He scurried back to third but Posada’s throw beat him to the bag and A-Rod applied the rally crushing tag. Instead of runners on the corners with no one out, the Twins merely had a man on first with one out. Ron Gardenhire, hands a top his head in frustration, looked on in exasperation, his team having run themselves out of another potential big inning.

Hughes retired Orlando Cabrera for the second out and Joe Girardi sent for Mariano Rivera to face Joe Mauer. Rivera shattered Mauer’s bat as the soon to be AL MVP grounded out meekly to Mark Teixeira for the final out of the inning.

Posada and Robinson Cano added RBI singles in the 9th and, after allowing a lead off single to Michael Cuddyer, Rivera retired the next three batters for a four-out save and sent the Yankees back to the ALCS for the first time since 2004.

Series Notes

Alex Rodriguez was 5-11 (.455) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in the series.

The Yankees three starting pitchers – CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte combined to allow three earned runs in 19 innings.

Johnny Damon was just 1-12 in the series and swung and missed his way to the “Golden Sombrero” in Game 3. It comes on the heels of a 22-89 (.247) last month of the season.

Andy Pettitte tied John Smoltz for the most career post season wins with 15.

Joe Mauer was 5-12 (.417) with two walks, but his RBI in Game 3 was his only one in the series.

2009 ALDS Game 3 Lineups

The Yankees have Posada back in the lineup tonight. No other changes.

SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
CF Cabrera

P Pettitte

The Twins dropped injured 3B Matt Tolbert from the roster and added Brian Buscher.

CF Span
SS Cabrera
C Mauer
1B Cuddyer
RF Kubel
LF Young
3B Harris
DH Morales
2B Punto

P Pavano


The Yankees strugged against Pavano in two starts while Pavano was a member of the Indians. Derek Jeter was 3-7, but Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher were a combined 1-11. In his career, Mark Teixeira has gone 2-6 with a home run and 5 RBI.

Joe Mauer is 4-10 with a home run and 2 RBI against Pettitte, but that's nothing compared Brendan Harris, who has gone 8-17. And Delmon Young tops that with 9-14 (.643). In fact most of the Twins lineup has a good track record against the veteran left-hander.

Game 3 Music to Fire You Up

Some music to get fired up by.

ALDS Game 2 Afterthoughts

photo courtesy of nj.com

Umpire Phil Cuzzi, is unfortunately, the most wanted man in Minnesota. And unfortunately for him, he's still working the Yankees-Twins series. Cuzzi knows he blew the call in Game 2 and there's nothing that can be done about it.

It's amazing how dumb some reporters can be. During the Game 2 press conference, a reporter asked Twins manager Ron Gardenhire if the correct call would have changed the complexion of the game. Gardenhire did his best to keep from exploding before finally saying, "The next guy got a single. You tell me."

Twins closer Joe Nathan seems to have forgotten that it was he who blew the Twins lead in the 9th.

"...hopefully the umpire realizes he has to do something to get better,” as if Cuzzi needed more on-the-job training."

Alex Rodriguez' hip surgeon Dr. Marc Phillepon watched his start client take batting practice before the game and also examined his hip. Phillepon came away impressed with what he saw and feels there's a 90% chance A-Rod won't need further surgery.

A-Rod's 3-RBI singles have knocked in Derek Jeter each time.

The Game 2 crowd was the new Stadium's first in excess of 50,000 fans.

Playoff WIn 2 Victory Song

2 down 9 to go.

Yankees Take Commanding 2-0 Lead

A-Rod, Tex Rock the Bronx

Written for Baseball Digest Online

The Minnesota Twins have been this road before. Take a lead at the new Yankee Stadium, blow the lead late, and then watch as the New York Yankees celebrate a victory with pie ala A.J.. Tonight, the script played out to perfection with the added “bonus” of a blown call by the men in blue.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th, Mark Teixeira reached base with his first hit of the series. Alex Rodriguez then hit a deep drive off Twins’ closer Joe Nathan that landed well beyond the fence in center field for a game tying home run. Seconds after the ball left his bat, A-Rod looked over at his teammates and pumped his fist. It was a “jump on my back boys” moment for a player who won’t be hearing about post-season slumps any time soon. Oh, and A-Rod drove in the Yankees first run too.

Then after escaping a bases loaded, no out jam in the top of the 11th, the Yankees celebration began when Teixeira hit a bullet off left-hander Jose Mijares down towards the left field corner. The ball hit the top of the wall and ricocheted into the stands for a game winning homer. And yes, A.J. delivered hiscompensatory pie.

The victory ended a wild night at the new digs and put the Yankees up a commanding two games to none in the best of five series. Starters A.J. Burnett and Nick Blackburn got into a good ol’ fashioned pitcher’s duel before the Twins broke a scoreless tie in the 6th. Burnett, who walked five on the night, issued a one out free pass to Delmon Young, who stole 2nd base as Carlos Gomez struck out for the second out of the inning.

Ron Gardenhire sent light hitting Brendan Harris up to pinch-hit for Matt Tolbert, who had to leave the game with a strained oblique. Harris came through with a deep drive to left-center that eluded Johnny Damon and then caromed past Melky Cabrera for an RBI triple. Burnett got out of further trouble by getting Nick Punto to ground out to end the inning.

The Yankees, who didn’t have a hit until Robinson Cano’s single in the 5th, came right back in the home half of the 6th. Derek Jeter reached on a one out ground rule double and Damon followed with a walk. Blackburn retired Teixiera on a pop up for the second out, but A-Rod singled to left to even the game at a run apiece.

The bottom of the Twins order had a big night and they came through in the clutch against Phil Hughes in the top of the 8th. Gomez reached on a two out walk and moved to 3rd on Harris’ single to right. Punto’s single to center put the Twins up 2-1 and knocked Hughes from the game. Denard Span showed the top of the Twins order could be productive too when the lead off man singled off of Mariano Rivera for a 3-1 Minnesota lead. Rivera kept it a two run game with a strike out of Orlando Cabrera.

Both teams blew big opportunities in the game due to base running mistakes. Burnett hit both Young and Gomez with two outs in the 4th and Tolbert singled to right field. But Gomez rounded 2nd base too far and Nick Swisher alertly threw behind him to an awaiting Jeter, who applied the tag before Young could score. A very “Timo Perez” moment in New York.

The Yankees had their own snafu as they appeared ready to win the game in the 10th. Jorge Posada reached on a one out single and was replaced on the bases by Brett Gardner. The Yankees top base stealing threat easily swiped 2nd base and then moved to 3rd when Nathan’s errant pick off throw sailed in center field. Gardenhire elected to walk Jeter to set up the double play and the Yankees unwittingly obliged.

Damon hit a line drive that ticked off Nathan’s glove towards Cabrera at short. Gardner misread the ball and took off for home. Cabrera snagged the line drive and easily doubled Gardner off the 3rd as the Twins finally got a break. But it was a break they couldn’t take advantage of, thanks in part to left field umpire Phil Cuzzi (pronounced Cuz-zee; and you know people in Minnesota will realize what that rhymes with).

Mauer sliced a fly ball down the left field line off of Damaso Marte and just out of the reach of Melky Cabrera, who had moved over from center field at the start of the inning. The ball clearly landed several inches in fair territory before bouncing into the stands for what should have been a ground rule double. But Cuzzi emphatically ruled it foul. Without a good angle to see it, no one from the Twins argued the call.

It seemed like it wouldn’t matter when Mauer and Jason Kubel stroked back to back singles, and David Robertson gave up another base hit to Michael Cuddyer to load the bases with no one out. But with the infield playing in, Teixiera gloved Young’s hot smash for the first out. Gomez then swung at the first pitch, as did Young, and grounded to Teixeira, who threw home for the force out. Robertson and the Yankees were then able to breath again when Harris flew out to Gardner in center field for the final out of the inning.

And then the players took their roles and Yankees Stadium witnessed its’ 16th walk-off victory of the season.

Orlando Cabrera is Weak

Tip of the hat to the Mrs. for finding this. Orlando Cabrera, never one afraid to cut the mustard, tried to break a bat across his knee last night. Tried being the key word.

Cabrera had just struck out on a 95-mph fastball, down in the zone, from Phil Hughes.

Here's the full sequence from Big League Stew.

Playoffs Win 1 Victory Song

Hopefully there will be 10 more of these!

Pat Benatar - All Fired Up

A-Rod Revival Sparks Yankees to Game One Win

Alex Rodriguez doesn't need to hear the stats to know how bad his recent post-seasons have been. But in Game 1 of the American League Division Series tonight in the Bronx, A-Rod started to make amends for those post-season failures.

A-Rod had a pair of RBI singles and the New York Yankees spanked the Minnesota Twins, 7-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the best of five series. A-Rod wasn't alone though in getting off to a good post-season start.

Derek Jeter reached safely in all four at-bats and belted the first playoff home run in the new Yankee Stadium. It tied the game at two apiece in the 3rd inning and fired up the home crowd that had been temporarily silenced when the Twins took a 2-0 lead.

Nick Swisher doubled in the 4th scored Robinson Cano all the way from first base to give the Yankees their first lead of the night. A-Rod's RBI single off of rookie starter Brian Duensing an inning later put the Bombers ahead by two and the next hitter, Hideki Matsui, hit a long home run to straight away center field off lefty Francisco Liriano for a 6-2 Yankees lead.

CC Sabathia wasn't spectacular, but was very good. He threw 113 pitches in 6 2-3 innings and allowed one earned run. The Twins put two runs on the board against him with two outs in the 3rd. Orlando Cabrera singled and Joe Mauer followed with a double to the gap in left-center. Michael Cuddyer's single to right brought home one run and Mauer scored when Jorge Posada couldn't handle Sabathia's delivery for a passed ball.

Sabathia passed an immediate test in the 1st inning when Denard Span reached 3rd base with less than two outs. But the Yankees ace struck out Mauer and retired Cuddyer on a fly out to center. He exited with two on and two out in the 7th, but Phil Hughes stranded the runners when he struck out Cabrera.

Game Notes

Even with Hideki Matsui on deck, odd decision by Ron Gardnehire to pitch to Alex Rodriguez with Derek Jeter on 3rd base in the 7th. A-Rod delivered his second RBI single, this time off of Jon Rauch.

Admiral Eric Olson threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Derek Jeter's home run was the 18th of his post-season career.

Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th inning, allowing a 2-out walk and a single before retiring Cabrera to end the game.

Jorge Posada had the dubious distinction of committing two passed balls.

Scoring recap

Top 1st: Minnesota

- D. Span doubled to left center

- O. Cabrera struck out swinging

- D. Span to third on passed ball

- J. Mauer struck out swinging

- M. Cuddyer flied out to center

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Bottom 1st: NY Yankees

- D. Jeter singled to shallow left

- J. Damon popped out to right center

- M. Teixeira grounded out to shortstop, D. Jeter to second

- A. Rodriguez flied out to right

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Top 2nd: Minnesota

- J. Kubel struck out swinging

- D. Young struck out swinging

- B. Harris singled to shallow center

- M. Tolbert grounded into fielder's choice, B. Harris out at second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Bottom 2nd: NY Yankees

- H. Matsui grounded out to second

- J. Posada flied out to right

- R. Cano struck out looking

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Top 3rd: Minnesota

- N. Punto singled to shallow center

- D. Span grounded into double play third to second to first, N. Punto out at second

- O. Cabrera singled to shallow right center

- J. Mauer doubled to left center, O. Cabrera to third

- M. Cuddyer singled to shallow right, O. Cabrera scored, J. Mauer to third

- J. Mauer scored, M. Cuddyer to second on passed ball

- J. Kubel struck out swinging

2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 0

Bottom 3rd: NY Yankees

- N. Swisher lined out to left

- M. Cabrera singled to left

- M. Cabrera to second on wild pitch

- D. Jeter homered to deep left, M. Cabrera scored

- J. Damon singled to left

- M. Teixeira grounded into fielder's choice, J. Damon out at second

- A. Rodriguez struck out swinging

2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 2

Top 4th: Minnesota

- D. Young struck out swinging

- B. Harris flied out to center

- M. Tolbert grounded out to second

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 2

Bottom 4th: NY Yankees

- H. Matsui grounded out to first

- J. Posada singled to shallow right

- R. Cano grounded into fielder's choice, J. Posada out at second

- N. Swisher doubled to shallow left, R. Cano scored

- M. Cabrera struck out swinging

1 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 3

Top 5th: Minnesota

- N. Punto lined out to second

- D. Span struck out swinging

- O. Cabrera singled to shallow left

- O. Cabrera stole second

- J. Mauer grounded out to second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 3

Bottom 5th: NY Yankees

- D. Jeter walked

- J. Damon grounded out to first, D. Jeter to second

- M. Teixeira popped out to right

- A. Rodriguez singled to left center, D. Jeter scored

- F. Liriano relieved B. Duensing

- H. Matsui homered to deep center, A. Rodriguez scored

- J. Posada struck out looking

3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Top 6th: Minnesota

- M. Cuddyer lined out to shortstop

- J. Kubel fouled out to third

- D. Young flied out to left center

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Bottom 6th: NY Yankees

- R. Cano grounded out to second

- N. Swisher flied out to shallow center

- M. Cabrera flied out to center

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Top 7th: Minnesota

- B. Harris struck out looking

- M. Tolbert hit by pitch

- N. Punto singled to pitcher, M. Tolbert to second

- M. Tolbert to third, N. Punto to second on wild pitch

- D. Span flied out to right

- P. Hughes relieved C. Sabathia

- O. Cabrera struck out swinging

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Bottom 7th: NY Yankees

- D. Jeter walked

- J. Damon safe at first on first baseman M. Cuddyer's fielding error, D. Jeter to second

- M. Teixeira grounded out to third

- J. Rauch relieved F. Liriano

- A. Rodriguez singled to right, D. Jeter scored

- H. Matsui walked, A. Rodriguez to second

- J. Posada grounded out to second

1 runs, 1 hits, 1 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Top 8th: Minnesota

- J. Mauer singled to shallow center

- M. Cuddyer struck out swinging

- P. Coke relieved P. Hughes

- J. Kubel lined out to first

- J. Chamberlain relieved P. Coke

- D. Young grounded into fielder's choice, J. Mauer out at second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Bottom 8th: NY Yankees

- R. Mahay relieved J. Rauch

- R. Cano grounded out to pitcher

- N. Swisher flied out to left

- M. Cabrera struck out looking

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Top 9th: Minnesota

- B. Gardner in center field

- M. Cabrera in right field

- M. Rivera relieved J. Chamberlain

- B. Harris struck out swinging

- M. Tolbert struck out looking

- N. Punto walked

- D. Span singled to shallow center, N. Punto to third

- O. Cabrera grounded out to second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Yankees-Twins Preview

Yankees-Twins ALDS Preview

Written for Baseball Digest Online

It took 12 innings Tuesday, but the Minnesota Twins finally emerged as the New York Yankees’ opponent in the first round. The “real season” begins today at 6 p.m. ET at the big ballyard in the Bronx. The first playoff series held in the new Yankee Stadium has already been dubbed by Minnesota natives as “David vs. Goliath”. But don’t be fooled by that. While the the Twins may not have the payroll the Yankees do, they have the scouting and player development to compete with the big boys on an annual basis.

Time to take a look at the two teams.

Positional Breakdown

The Managers

Joe Girardi is seeing his first playoff action. He’s leading a team with high regular season win totals and even higher post-season expectations. Under Joe Torre, the Yankees made three straight first round exits followed by not even making the playoffs in 2008. The pressure will be on Girardi to win the Yankees’ 27th championship

Ron Gardenhire has been to the post-season four previous times, losing three times in the first round. This is the Twins’ first trip back to the post-season since 2006. Gardenhire is a great in-game manager and likes to play little ball. He’ll have to find a way to stop the Yankees, who beat the Twins in all seven meetings this season.

Edge: Twins (Slight nod to Gardenhire)

1st Base

Mark Teixeira had a tremendous season in his first year in the Bronx. After signing an 8-yr, $180 million contract in the off-season, Teixeira had his usual early struggles, but than played MVP caliber baseball the rest of the year. He tied for the AL lead in HR, won the RBI crown, and is in contention for a gold glove for his defense.

Michael Cuddyer is one of the main reasons the Twins made the playoffs. Cuddyer stepped up his game when regular 1st baseman Justin Morneau went down with a season-ending injury. He hit 8 home runs and drove in 24 runs in the last month of the season.

Edge: Yankees

2nd Base

Robinson Cano enjoyed his best offensive season in 2009. He banged out a career-high 204 hits and 25 home runs, and drove in 85 runs. Though Cano still struggled with runners in scoring position, he was dynamite at setting the table. Cano’s defense has gotten better every year and this season he was a true gold glove contender.

Nick Punto’s scrappy play is loved by his manager. Punto can do all the little things that help the Twins win ball games – bunt, defense, base running. The thing he can’t do is hit much, and that could hurt the Twins in the long run. Alexi Casilla is another option for Gardenhire.

Edge: Yankees

Shortstop

Derek Jeter enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career (at age 35, no less). Not only did Jeter excel on offense, but he was lauded for his defensive prowess as well. He committed just 8 errors while showing improved range. Jeter put together an MVP contender season at the plate. He surpassed 200 hits for the 7th time, topped the century mark in runs scored (17), hit 18 home runs, drove in 66 runs, and swiped 30 bases in 35 attempts. His .871 OPS was the 4th best of his career and his highest total in three seasons.

Orlando Cabrera brought 13 seasons of major league experience to the Twins when he was acquired from the A’s at the trade deadline. He gives the Twins a steady bat and glove and 31 games of post-season experience.

Edge: Yankees

3rd Base

Alex Rodriguez missed the first month of the season, but put up tremendous numbers in spite of it. His big bang theory in this past Sunday’s game put him at the 30-HR/ 100-RBI mark for the 12th straight year. His return to the lineup also helped kick start Teixeira and the entire team. He has always played stellar defense and showed more range as the season went on and his surgically repaired hip improved.

Matt Tolbert is a .228 lifetime hitter with some speed. That’s about all you can say.

Edge: Yankees

Left Field

Johnny Damon put together a solid season in a contract year (24 HR, .854 OPS, 107 Runs, 36 doubles). He’s not the defensive player he once was, and could be replaced in games Melky Cabrera who would slide over from center field and be replaced by Brett Gardner.

Delmon Young hasn’t put together the season that both his former (Rays) and current teams have expected. But he did drive in 10 runs in the last three Twins games to help the team reach this point.

Edge: Yankees

Center Field

Melky Cabrera was riding the pines when the season started, having lost the center field job to Brett Gardner. But the Melkman persevered and eventually took over the spot. He was one of the Yankees’ most clutch players in late inning situations.

Denard Span became the table setter the Twins were expecting Carlos Gomez to be.

Edge: Even

Right Field

Nick Swisher was another Yankee without a job. Swishilicious took over right field full-time when Xavier Nady when down with an elbow injury and took advantage. Though he didn’t hit for average, the Yankees’ rock ‘n roll right fielder hit 29 home runs, 35 doubles, drove in 82 and scored 84. He also drew 92 walks to help put up an .869 OPS. Just as importantly, he helped loosen up the stodgy Yankees clubhouse.

Jason Kubel had the word “potential” attached to him for a long time. Knee injuries slowed down his progress, but Kubel has emerged as a bona fide major league hitter. His two 3-run home runs on Sunday helped assure the Twins of playing another day. He hit .300 and posted careers high in HR and RBI (27, 100) and posted a .905 OPS. He’s better suited for DH, but will see time in RF.

Edge: Twins

Catcher

Jorge Posada came back with a bang from last season’s shoulder surgery. Hip Hip Jorge belted 22 home runs and drove in 81 runs in just 111 games. He’ll sit in favor of Jose Molina, however, when A.J. Burnett is pitching.

Joe Mauer has done it all this season- a season in which he will earn the AL MVP award. His gaudy offensive numbers: .364/.442/.586 (28 HR, 96 RBI) shouldn’t overlshadow what a superb game caller/defender he is.

Edge: Twins

DH

Hideki Matsui may be in his last season in Pinstripes, but despite a bad knee, he was solid. Godzilla had a huge second half to finish with 28 HR and 90 RBI.

Kubel may start some games at DH depending on how Gardenhire wants to set up the outfield. Anyone other than Kubel will have a huge drop off in production.

Edge: Yankees

Bench

Yankees have much more depth/versatility on the bench. They can go power (Hinske), speed (Gardner) or utility (Hairston).

Twins have a big time speed threat in Carlos Gomez, but not much else.

Edge: Yankees

Starting Rotation

Yankees – CC Sabathia will get game 1 and 4 assignments. A.J. Burnett handles 2 and 5, with Andy Pettitte getting game 3.

Twins – Minnesota goes with rookie Brian Duensing in game 1, Nick Blackburn in 2, and Carl Pavano in game 3. Scott Baker will most likely get game 4, with Blackburn brought back for game 5.

Edge: Yankees

Bullpen

Yankees – The Yankees’ one-two punch of Mariano Rivera and Phil Hughes is among the best in baseball right now. Rivera is Rivera. Hughes has developed into one of the nastiest set-up men. Now he’ll have to continue it in the post-season. Joe Girardi will mix and match and has the “luxury”(?) of using Joba Chamberlain for an inning here and there.

Twins - Joe Nathan is one of the best closers in the game, but the Yankees have had success against him in the past. Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares will be counted on in key situations.

Edge: Yankees

PREDICTION – Yankees in 4