06/20: Yankees 2, Phillies 4
Posted by: Jason
An extremely frustrating evening for the Yankees universe as Philadelphia slinger Brett Myers (he of the rapidly ascending reputation and a 2006 ERA+ of 123!!) stymied the offense. I'm sure you were struck, as I was, by his moving mid-90s fastball coupled with a rude, disruptive curve. However, after giving credit where credit's due (to Myers), it felt like the Yankees stranded more men last night than the original Jamestown colony:
In the top 1st w/2 outs, Jeter's single, Giambi's base hit and Alex's walk loaded the bases, and Jorge stranded them all with a popup.
Top 4th, Jason launched an inside pitch into the second deck in right, his 19th. He also had two other hits and a walk: .274/.442/.617. Giambi's transition from "lingering question mark" to "offensive powerhouse" is complete. I, for one, could not be happier for this man. Again, I ask you to think back 18+ months to the apparently futile, sad final gasps of Giambi's career. To return from his self-imposed obstacles was a Herculean task.
Top 5: Alex K'd to end the inning after two base hits by Jetes and Giambi.
Top 6: Randy Johnson's sharp hit was improbably stabbed by Nunez, preventing the second run.
Top 7: After a John Damon infield hit, a Giambi walk and an Alex walk, Posada's well-placed infield hit brought the Yankees to within a run, 2-3.
Lest I forget, the aging southpaw was on his game for the 3rd time in his last 5 starts. (Detroit, Cleveland and last night). Perhaps he read "The Undefeated" and did not want to go out like Manuel, Hemingway's bullfighter. He gave up two key RBI hits to Burrell and Rowand, but the Yankees offense should have made these minor blemishes on an otherwise well-pitched evening. His velocity was again 95-96 mph with effective complementary pitches. If the Unit can return to form in the 2nd half, I don't need to explain the impact on this team's probability for success.
BTW, did anyone notice when YES displayed the Yankees offensive scoreboard late in the game that Bubba Crosby's 0-3, 2 Ks was identical to Randy Johnson?
In the top 1st w/2 outs, Jeter's single, Giambi's base hit and Alex's walk loaded the bases, and Jorge stranded them all with a popup.
Top 4th, Jason launched an inside pitch into the second deck in right, his 19th. He also had two other hits and a walk: .274/.442/.617. Giambi's transition from "lingering question mark" to "offensive powerhouse" is complete. I, for one, could not be happier for this man. Again, I ask you to think back 18+ months to the apparently futile, sad final gasps of Giambi's career. To return from his self-imposed obstacles was a Herculean task.
Top 5: Alex K'd to end the inning after two base hits by Jetes and Giambi.
Top 6: Randy Johnson's sharp hit was improbably stabbed by Nunez, preventing the second run.
Top 7: After a John Damon infield hit, a Giambi walk and an Alex walk, Posada's well-placed infield hit brought the Yankees to within a run, 2-3.
Lest I forget, the aging southpaw was on his game for the 3rd time in his last 5 starts. (Detroit, Cleveland and last night). Perhaps he read "The Undefeated" and did not want to go out like Manuel, Hemingway's bullfighter. He gave up two key RBI hits to Burrell and Rowand, but the Yankees offense should have made these minor blemishes on an otherwise well-pitched evening. His velocity was again 95-96 mph with effective complementary pitches. If the Unit can return to form in the 2nd half, I don't need to explain the impact on this team's probability for success.
BTW, did anyone notice when YES displayed the Yankees offensive scoreboard late in the game that Bubba Crosby's 0-3, 2 Ks was identical to Randy Johnson?
