Yankees take game one, 7-2

by Travis G on Oct 7, 2009 11:38 PM EDT in Game Recap

Funny how CC Sabathia can't 'get it done' in the playoffs... until he does. It reminds me of Barry Bonds in 2002. Before that postseason, he was a playoff choker who couldn't deliver when it really mattered. Then in the Giants run that year, he hit .356/.581/.978.

Sabathia gave up just one run in 6.2 innings tonight, striking out eight with no walks.

Though the Twins had more hits (10 to 9), they lacked the power of the Yankees, who had a double and two homers compared to just two doubles (and eight singles) for Minnesota.

Yankee Stadium got awfully quiet after Minnesota took a 2-0 lead. Then The Captain stepped to the plate and launched Brian Duensing's hanging slider for a two-run homer. Jeter had a perfect night: 2-2, 2 BB.

A-Rod looked lost through two AB, then decided to get aggressive and swung at the first pitch he saw in his next AB, knocking in the Yanks fourth run. It was his first hit in 29 postseason AB with runners on. Kate Hudson and Jay-Z were ecstatic. He then lined a long single to rightfield for the Yanks seventh run.

Hideki Matsui continues his domination of southpaws - he took Francisco Liriano deep for a two-run shot in the fifth.

Joe Girardi should get credit for twice starting the runner at first base, for the batters hit certain DPs each time, only for the runner to already be at second.

Jorge Posada certainly didn't help his effort to catch A.J. Burnett: he allowed two passed balls and a wild pitch.

Despite reading a lot of complaints about TBS' broadcasting tandem, I didn't think they were so bad. Ron Darling is downright listenable, while Chip Caray is merely vanilla: neither good nor bad. I also love the 'PitchTrax' graphic on the edge of the screen, telling us really whether a pitch is a strike or a ball.

What we haven't really mentioned yet is the playoff roster, which features two surprises: Frankie Cervelli and Chad Gaudin. A third catcher and a second long-reliever? I don't understand it, and am surprised Girardi didn't feel someone like Freddy Guzman or Ramiro Pena would be more helpful.

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Not surprising roster moves.

It’s always good to have a deity on your bench. And as for Gaudin….

That kind of speaks for itself.

Facial LaFleur, total facial.

by Lord Duggan on Oct 8, 2009 4:26 AM EDT reply actions

Outstanding!

I felt like a kid on christmas! I cannot be happier for arod, jeter, C.C, and matsui.. They continue to amaze me! I cant wait to be in the bronx for fridays Game 2!!!

by Fluke on Oct 8, 2009 5:02 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Almost textbook

-If Jorge has a better night behind the plate, we are talking maybe 7-1. All the more reason for Molina to catch Burnett, because if that breaking ball of his is on he’ll need Molina to catch it. Jorgey needs to get over it, some pitchers like a personal catcher, Greg Maddux did it for years.

-The Captain is…well…the Captain. This guy is ageless and seems to get even better in the postseason, I am just waiting to see what he can do to top his dive into the stands from the 2004 playoffs.

-If there is any doubt what role the Yankees fans want Joba playing this postseason, just observe the thunderous standing ovation he got when he ran in from the bullpen. That combination at the end of a game is just plain scary: Joba, then Hughes and then Mo. Talk about asking your starters to only give you 7 solid innings. 1 or two less and you have Ace and Coke standing by.

-This postseason seems a lot different from those in the last few years, in terms of the attitude in the dugout, it seemed like a bunch of kids having fun, especially after Matsui’s homer (do other teams never learn that he KILLS lefties?)

definitely excited, last night was efficient, save for Jorgey behind the plate and I am sure he will rebound.

by BlackandGoldSSgt on Oct 8, 2009 5:32 AM EDT reply actions

Matsui Has To Be Brought Back!!

I dont give a crap about getting younger, this guy can hit and who are they gonna replace him with? Sure Posada will need to DH some next year, but as Posada has gotten older, he has been injured, so why not have Matsui there? He wont cost much, and all the Japanese ads pay for him anyway. Nice to see ARod get some hits too, he is gonna have a bigger post season than Tex, you watch.

by YankeesJets on Oct 8, 2009 5:50 AM EDT reply actions

That was a gorgeous opening.

CC= dominant. Aside from one Yank fan who needs to question whether he really is a Yank fan, I’d like to think we all know he could do that. He was dominant all season. He was kept fresh all season too even while racking up those innings (Fire Girardi?)

Jeter and Matsui. Captain Clutch and Captain Crutch. Nothing more needs to be said

Oh…Melky got on in the first place on an infield hit. This is why Melky starts, he can do much of the stuff Gardner can do, and he can actually hit for power every now and then.

Jorgey? You pile of crap. Tha hell was that? I won’t completely jump off the Jorge bandwagon if Molina shows a pulse at the plate tomorrow, but damn. That damn near cost the game. I think he knows it tho and generally a Jorge brainfart is followed by him making up for it at the plate…so its gonna come.

And….HHHUUUUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 8, 2009 6:47 AM EDT reply actions

+1

Go to hell cph

by swanny4eva on Oct 8, 2009 8:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Roster

If you read this ~~- http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/10/ny_yankees_manager_joe_girardi_4.html -~~ Gaudin was never not making the post-season roster. Last spot was Marte or Guzman. As for Cervelli, if Molina is going to start games you pretty much have to have a third catcher for pinch-hitting, pinch-running situations.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 8, 2009 7:06 AM EDT reply actions