04/14: Yankees surrender early lead and lose opener to A-s in 11 innings
Posted by: David
Kei Igawa was cruising until the sixth inning only surrendering one unearned run due to an error from Bobby Abreu which resulted in Mike Piazza reaching third base to start an inning and later score.
However, in the sixth he gave up a two run homer to Eric Chavez and Kyle Farnsworth couldn't hold it and gave up a gopher ball to Nick Swisher on a 2-0 pitch to tie the game at 4.
The Yankees jumped out to a 1-0 lead and then scored three more runs on four consecutive singles, a bases loaded walk and a run scoring double play ball. They had a great chance in the eighth to take the lead when A-Rod led off with a single and was chased to third when Giambi doubled down the line in right. Posada then lined to first for the first out of the inning. Mientkiewicz hit a bouncer over the mound which the pitcher fumbled with but was able to force A-Rod at the plate before retiring Melky Cabrera to end the Yankee threat.
The Bombers also had chances in extra innings but couldn't get the big hit when they needed it. In the 11th, Brian Bruney had been cruising but gave up a triple to Buck with only one out. He eventually scored the winning run when Mienktkiewicz fielded Kielty's soft grounder but threw wide to home and Posada couldn't keep contact with the plate.
A's starter Danny Haren was effective early but weakened due to a high pitch count and was left the game early losing.
Carl Pavano is scratched from today's start and will be replaced by Darrell Rasner. Andy Pettitte pitches the finale on Sunday afternoon.
However, in the sixth he gave up a two run homer to Eric Chavez and Kyle Farnsworth couldn't hold it and gave up a gopher ball to Nick Swisher on a 2-0 pitch to tie the game at 4.
The Yankees jumped out to a 1-0 lead and then scored three more runs on four consecutive singles, a bases loaded walk and a run scoring double play ball. They had a great chance in the eighth to take the lead when A-Rod led off with a single and was chased to third when Giambi doubled down the line in right. Posada then lined to first for the first out of the inning. Mientkiewicz hit a bouncer over the mound which the pitcher fumbled with but was able to force A-Rod at the plate before retiring Melky Cabrera to end the Yankee threat.
The Bombers also had chances in extra innings but couldn't get the big hit when they needed it. In the 11th, Brian Bruney had been cruising but gave up a triple to Buck with only one out. He eventually scored the winning run when Mienktkiewicz fielded Kielty's soft grounder but threw wide to home and Posada couldn't keep contact with the plate.
A's starter Danny Haren was effective early but weakened due to a high pitch count and was left the game early losing.
Carl Pavano is scratched from today's start and will be replaced by Darrell Rasner. Andy Pettitte pitches the finale on Sunday afternoon.
Mike K wrote:
also the bullpen is spent.