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| BIG CHANGES | This is the new home for Depressed Fan and Green Pinstripes' Yankee coverage. You can still find your Jets coverage at GP, the Sixers are still at DF and the Eagles have a new home at Don't Boo The Birds. |
Welcome Back, Nice To Meet You
Alex Rodriguez announced his return to the lineup by taking the first pitch he saw deep for a three-run bomb. It took CC Sabathia a little longer to show the Yanks what they paid for this Winter, but after a complete game shutout, I think the buyer's remorse is a thing of the past.
Isn't it funny how a three-run bomb from your cleanup hitter and a shutout from your ace can suddenly make you look like a damn fine team?
I can't tell you how happy I am about the win, A-Rod's return and Sabathia's domination, but the Yanks were still shut down for the most part by a series of mediocre pitchers. They still struck out 10 times (which you can sort of live with) and 5 times looking (which you absolutely cannot live with). They pretty much played the same baseball they've been playing for the past week, only Sabathia was head and shoulders above.
I think tomorrow's game will be telling. Perhaps the win got the monkey off their backs. Perhaps Phil Hughes will come out and throw another gem for the Bombers. I certainly hope so, but my enthusiasm for the team is tempered tonight by the fact that the team basically went to sleep when they took an early lead. Anything less than brilliance from CC would've resulted in a loss.
I do have something else positive to talk about, though. How about the kid, Cervelli? I paid close attention and Sabathia rarely, if ever had to shake the kid off. He threw out a runner in the first on a savvy play. Brian Roberts was on second, Adam Jones on first. It was a double steal, and Cervelli fired to second to get the trail runner for the second out. Excellent work. The kid also chipped in with a sacrifice bunt and his first big league hit. During lunch today, Mike and I were talking about the decision Girardi would have to make, start Cervelli, a guy who was promoted from AA with no Major League experience, or start Kevin Cash, who has caught about a full season's worth of games over his 6-year career. I'm glad Girardi went with the kid and it paid dividends immediately.
Overall, a solid win with troubling signs. Will they build upon it tomorrow, or without the monstrous effort from their starter will it be more of the same from this disappointing Yankee team.
Player of The Game: CC
Team Record: 14-15
Up Next: @ Balto tomorrow night, Phil Hughes vs. Adam Eaton
Great win. I especially liked the fire CC and Cervelli showed on the final out. Good stuff.
Great win all around, Cerevelli is the reason Molina won't be resigned after the year. I was inspired by his performance; his impact behind the plate is more important than his when hitting. Funny fact: He played for Italy in the WBC, though I believe he's from Venezuela.
CC was awesome, and after the last out was what I always wanted to see from him, that fire. It's funny I felt miserable about the team heading into tonight, but 2 great things happened that reminded you of the talent the team has.
And how about Melky? Just playing well at this point.
And now, sadly, the Yankees' precious one game winning streak is officially over.
Did you write that when the O's scored their first run?
No.
Baseball God came to my dream last night and told me, "Chill down, it's but one game".
The Yankee play was in fact awesome!