10/23: ALCS Game 5: Bullpen Falters in Yankee Loss
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees found themselves just nine outs away from a trip to the World Series, but a 7th inning tandem of A.J. Burnett, Damaso Marte and Phil Hughes couldn't hold a 6-4 lead and this series will be heading back to New York for a Game 6 on Saturday.
The game at first looked like the Yanks might not even get into it, as A.J. Burnett allowed 4 runs to score before recording an out in the game. Burnett would settle down, however, as he held the Angels scoreless from that point on through the 6th inning.
The Yankees struggled to get anything going offensively as John Lackey kept them off the scoreboard through 6 and 2/3. That would all change with two outs in the 7th, as the Halos went to Darren Oliver to face Mark Teixiera and Teixeira made them pay. With the bases loaded, Tex lined a double through the left-center field gap for 3 runs, pulling the Yankees to within 4-3. After a walk to A-Rod, Hideki Matsui tied the game with a base hit up the middle. Robinson Cano would then put the Yankees up 6-4 with a two-run double to cap off a 6-run inning.
The lead was short-lived. After Burnett put the first two batters on, Joe Girardi went to Damaso Marte and then Phil Hughes, who couldn't keep the Yanks on top of the scoreboard. Vladimir Guerrero would eventually tie the game with a base hit and Kendry Morales would put the Angels ahead, this time for good, with a ground ball that found its way into right field.
The Yanks did threaten in the 9th, but Nick Swisher ended a lengthy two-out at-bat by popping up to shallow left with the bases loaded to end the game.
So back to the Bronx we go. The teams will meet again for Game 6 on Saturday at 7:57 ET, weather permitting. Andy Pettitte will face off against Joe Saunders.
The game at first looked like the Yanks might not even get into it, as A.J. Burnett allowed 4 runs to score before recording an out in the game. Burnett would settle down, however, as he held the Angels scoreless from that point on through the 6th inning.
The Yankees struggled to get anything going offensively as John Lackey kept them off the scoreboard through 6 and 2/3. That would all change with two outs in the 7th, as the Halos went to Darren Oliver to face Mark Teixiera and Teixeira made them pay. With the bases loaded, Tex lined a double through the left-center field gap for 3 runs, pulling the Yankees to within 4-3. After a walk to A-Rod, Hideki Matsui tied the game with a base hit up the middle. Robinson Cano would then put the Yankees up 6-4 with a two-run double to cap off a 6-run inning.
The lead was short-lived. After Burnett put the first two batters on, Joe Girardi went to Damaso Marte and then Phil Hughes, who couldn't keep the Yanks on top of the scoreboard. Vladimir Guerrero would eventually tie the game with a base hit and Kendry Morales would put the Angels ahead, this time for good, with a ground ball that found its way into right field.
The Yanks did threaten in the 9th, but Nick Swisher ended a lengthy two-out at-bat by popping up to shallow left with the bases loaded to end the game.
So back to the Bronx we go. The teams will meet again for Game 6 on Saturday at 7:57 ET, weather permitting. Andy Pettitte will face off against Joe Saunders.
