Game Recap: A.J. looks like an ace

by Ed Valentine on Apr 14, 2009 11:01 PM EDT in Game Recap

So, I think we can all see now why our New York Yankees were so thrilled to get A.J. Burnett during the off-season.

Major 'kudos' to Burnett for eight tremendous innings in tonight's 7-2 victory.

It was also nice to see the Yanks capitalize on a couple of key situations late in the game after Tampa Bay had tied the score at 2-2.

'Kudos' also to Brett Gardner for driving two balls over outfielder's heads, to Nick Swisher for homering after a brushback pitch and to Derek Jeter for his victory-sealing three-run homer.

A 'Wet Willie' to Tampa's Matt Garza for throwing one at Swisher's head.

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Injury Prone?

I DON’T THINK, rather than ACE PRONE, I THINK SO VERY MUCH lol

by NYYEastcosterNJD on Apr 14, 2009 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

AJ has admitted that

being injury prone was just trying to throw as hard as he could. He said Roy Halladay taught him that Halladay was the same way, but when you save the energy that you can exert much less force on your arm over time. Its simple, but when you can reach 100mph its hard to go away from that.

AJ learned from Roy Halladay, and AJ may be just as good…..

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 15, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Burnett has the best

‘pure stuff’ of any pitcher on the team (with the possible exception of Joba), including CC. and it ranks among the best of all ML pitchers. if he stays healthy and has relatively decent control, he’ll be a great asset for 5 years.

great to see a well-played, crisp game (nowadays, 2 hours and 58 minutes is crisp). Molina picked off a runner, Yankee pitchers walked just one, Gardner had 3 hits, Jeter had 2, Swisher homered again, even Melky had a big hit.

by Travis G on Apr 15, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

the key with AJ always has been his health. i don’t think anyone questions his stuff.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Apr 15, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

At least

DiceBB’s giving Wang a run for his money of ugly start

by RollingWave on Apr 15, 2009 5:39 AM EDT reply actions

AJ

pitched great last night and WHEN HEALTHY- which unfortunately doesn’t seem to be all that often he is 1 of the best pitchers in baseball.I would agree that Burnett’s stuff is the best in baseball without exception. Now, the key will be him remaining healthy and if he is the Yanks could make a run. If not, it could spell trouble

by Blazer Fan From Ohio on Apr 15, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

I like

that AJ came back out in the 8th and shut them down, after things kind of unraveled in the 7th… showed me a lot of fight and heart.

As far is his health goes- hopefully all this talk about him becoming more of a pitcher rather than thrower will contribute to his continuing health. I was strongly in the camp of “stay away from AJ” this off-season, but after only two starts the guy has my confidence. No, he’s not gonna go 32-0, but he has shown himself to be able to step up in big spots.

by NumberSeven on Apr 15, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions