YANKEES 4
TWINS 3
11 Innings
TWINS 3
11 Innings
This is why they may be champions.
Over the years, the Yankee mystique that swirled around the cavernous old Yankee Stadium had disappeared after one horrific playoff loss after another. Tonight, the ghosts of Yankee Stadium past were alive and well, and the Yankees 52nd comeback of the year took center stage.
The Minnesota had their chance to put the Yankees into a vice and crush them, but each time the Twins bobbled their chances, allowing the Yankees to storm back to win the day.
Over the years, the Yankee mystique that swirled around the cavernous old Yankee Stadium had disappeared after one horrific playoff loss after another. Tonight, the ghosts of Yankee Stadium past were alive and well, and the Yankees 52nd comeback of the year took center stage.
The Minnesota had their chance to put the Yankees into a vice and crush them, but each time the Twins bobbled their chances, allowing the Yankees to storm back to win the day.
Minnesota grabbed a 1-0 lead on a Brendon Harris triple in the sixth inning. With the way Nick Blackburn had been pitching through the games first five innings wherein he surrendered only one hit, it appeared that the Yanke
e luck might fall short on this night.
Think again.
Alex Rodriguez, who has been much maligned for his lack of clutch hitting, was nothing but a clutch superstar tonight. With Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon on base, Rodriguez picked up on a change up and dribbled the ball into shallow left to drive home Jeter with the tying run.
Then, the Twins took control in the eighth, knocking around Phil Hughes, the Yankees young and promising prospect pitcher. Nick Punto, of all people, lined a single to center field to drive former Met Carlos Gomez in to give the Twins a 2-1. Joe Giradri then decided to bring in Mariano Rivera into the game, down by one, and the decision came back to bite Girardi. Rivera gave up a single to Denard Span to dive in Harris with the Twins second run of the inning, and a 3-1 lead overall.
It appeared that the series was going to head back to Minnesota 1-1. The Yankees did nothing in the eighth inning, and, with Minnesota closer Joe Nathan who had nailed down 47 games during the regular season coming into the game, one would think it would be wise to pack up the snacks, the thermal seats and head home.
Big mistake. Mark Tiexeria lined a single to right to get things going. Then A-Rod, "Captain Choke" became "Captain Clutch"! Shazam! He crushed a two run shot to right center to tie the game, once again; 3-3.
Still, the Twins had more chances. With Desemio Marte and his 9.45 ERA on the mound for the Yankees, the Twins had a good opportunity to yank rug out from under the Yankee momentum. Joe Mauer drilled a pitch down the left field line; the ball hit inside fair territory and bounced up into the seats. A sure ground rule double, however, the left field umpire thought the ball had gone foul and so ruled it, forcing Mauer to take another pitch.
Mauer lined a single to center anyway, but any momentum the Twins would have gained from that double was erased. Jason Kubel singled to right to move Mauer to second, and Michael Cuddyer singled to center, loading the bases. With nobody out, and the bases loaded, the Twins had everything set for a big inning. Who cares about the missed double at this point; the runners were in position to score some runs.
Then, inexplicably, it fell apart for Minnesota. David Robertson came in to pitch for New York, and boy, did he get the job done. It was like ... kyrptonite!!
Delmon Young lined right into the glove of Teixeria for out number one. Light hitting Gomez lined into a fielder's choice for out number two. Two out, bases loaded, and nobody scoring for the Twins.
e luck might fall short on this night.Think again.
Alex Rodriguez, who has been much maligned for his lack of clutch hitting, was nothing but a clutch superstar tonight. With Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon on base, Rodriguez picked up on a change up and dribbled the ball into shallow left to drive home Jeter with the tying run.
Then, the Twins took control in the eighth, knocking around Phil Hughes, the Yankees young and promising prospect pitcher. Nick Punto, of all people, lined a single to center field to drive former Met Carlos Gomez in to give the Twins a 2-1. Joe Giradri then decided to bring in Mariano Rivera into the game, down by one, and the decision came back to bite Girardi. Rivera gave up a single to Denard Span to dive in Harris with the Twins second run of the inning, and a 3-1 lead overall.
It appeared that the series was going to head back to Minnesota 1-1. The Yankees did nothing in the eighth inning, and, with Minnesota closer Joe Nathan who had nailed down 47 games during the regular season coming into the game, one would think it would be wise to pack up the snacks, the thermal seats and head home.
Big mistake. Mark Tiexeria lined a single to right to get things going. Then A-Rod, "Captain Choke" became "Captain Clutch"! Shazam! He crushed a two run shot to right center to tie the game, once again; 3-3.
Still, the Twins had more chances. With Desemio Marte and his 9.45 ERA on the mound for the Yankees, the Twins had a good opportunity to yank rug out from under the Yankee momentum. Joe Mauer drilled a pitch down the left field line; the ball hit inside fair territory and bounced up into the seats. A sure ground rule double, however, the left field umpire thought the ball had gone foul and so ruled it, forcing Mauer to take another pitch.
Mauer lined a single to center anyway, but any momentum the Twins would have gained from that double was erased. Jason Kubel singled to right to move Mauer to second, and Michael Cuddyer singled to center, loading the bases. With nobody out, and the bases loaded, the Twins had everything set for a big inning. Who cares about the missed double at this point; the runners were in position to score some runs.
Then, inexplicably, it fell apart for Minnesota. David Robertson came in to pitch for New York, and boy, did he get the job done. It was like ... kyrptonite!!
Delmon Young lined right into the glove of Teixeria for out number one. Light hitting Gomez lined into a fielder's choice for out number two. Two out, bases loaded, and nobody scoring for the Twins.
Finally, the pesky Harris lined a pitch deep to center field to kill the Twins threat, all but killing their chances of getting back into this series.
In the bottom of the 11th, Teixeria made quick work of Jose Mijares, lining a fastball into the first row of left field, near the 318 sign to give the Yankees a thrilling 4-3 victory. Box Score.
The mystique appeared to be back; the Yankees danced up and down at home plate celebrating a 2-0 series lead. Now the Yankees have a chance to sweep the series on Sunday against ex-mate Carl Pavano. Look for that to happen, as the Yankee magic seems to be back in vogue for good in 2009.
In the bottom of the 11th, Teixeria made quick work of Jose Mijares, lining a fastball into the first row of left field, near the 318 sign to give the Yankees a thrilling 4-3 victory. Box Score.
The mystique appeared to be back; the Yankees danced up and down at home plate celebrating a 2-0 series lead. Now the Yankees have a chance to sweep the series on Sunday against ex-mate Carl Pavano. Look for that to happen, as the Yankee magic seems to be back in vogue for good in 2009.
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