Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Rainmen Cometh

The rain cleanses and nourishes.

It restores a balance in the atmosphere, and breaks the heavy fog.

Tonight, on a much less mythical note, it woke up the stopper in Andy Pettitte and woke up the Yankee offense.

After the first two innings of play, the game felt much like a continuation of last night. Pitching that was good, but not good enough. Hitting that didn't, well, hit, with the exception of Melky Cabrera's home run.

Then, the rain.

It was only a 28-minute delay, which is hardly remarkable, but sometimes that is all it takes.

When the rain cleared, Pettitte was on, retiring seven straight, including a reaction play that involved snagging a line drive ticket for center field, with a stop at Pettitte's forehead. As might be expected, Pettitte also had patented Pettitte pick-off, but the caught line drive is the one will make top play lists.

Offensively, it was the Melky Cabrera show for a while--he took to the two spot in the line-up better than Canò had--but then the rest of the team began to get into the act. Everyone except Robinson Canò had a hit; Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada went back-to-back with home runs in the ninth.

More impressive, the Yankees managed to score in three straight innings, which they had not yet done.

While no series with the Red Sox will ever be easy, the Yankees can at least board the flight knowing that they've got the bats working again.


OPTIMIST TAKE: Canò walked. Johnny Damon has a five-game hitting streak. Alberto Gonzalez had a clean single, again. He's no Derek Jeter with the bat, but he's not quite the automatic out everyone makes him out to be. Andy Pettitte went 6.2 innings, which saved most of the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain might not be able to pitch tomorrow, but the rest of the bullpen should be set to go.



As I said before, I'm off to Boston, so tomorrow's postgame will be done by Brent Nycz of The Bronx Block.


SCORES AND STUFFS (of interest):

Boston beat Detroit, 12-6. Detroit had closed to within 8-6, but 1-8 teams are 1-8 for a reason.

Texas swept a double-header with the Orioles. The Orioles are still AL-East leading, and the only AL East team currently over .500. The Yankees and Sox are tied at the .500 mark, but as you might imagine, it probably won't last.

Tampa Bay defeated Seattle 7-0. Apparently there's something to this Edwin Jackson guy.

Oakland beat Toronto 3-2, in 12.

Mets beat Philadelphia, 4-3 in 12.



Happy weekend, I'll catch you all sometime on Sunday.

3 comments:

  1. Enjoy Bawston Rebecca.

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  2. Have a great time in Boston, Rebecca. Take lots of pictures.

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  3. Hope you don't have too much rain this weekend. Enjoy!

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