Mood Music - Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
First Inning - The New York Yankees went quietly in the top of the first inning, with the Texas Rangers starter C.J. Wilson retiring Derek Jeter, Nick Swisher, and Mark Teixeira on only 12 pitches. In the bottom of the frame, things went very badly for CC Sabathia, highlighted by a three run home run by Josh Hamilton and three walks. Sabathia was only able to escape further trouble by getting the final out at home plate when Nelson Cruz was tagged out trying to score from third on a ball that got away from Jorge Posada.
Second Inning - Yankees go down in order, but at least Marcus Thames hit a rocket. These have to start falling for hits soon, right? In the bottom of the second, while he still struggled with his fastball command, CC Sabathia posted a much improved 1-2-3 inning.
Third Inning - After some calming words from Dorsal, the Yankees got their first base runners in the top of the third inning, but fly outs by Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher silenced the threat. Despite walking Josh Hamilton to lead off the inning and a balk, CC managed to hold the score at 3-0.
Fourth Inning - Two out singled by Robinson Cano and Marcus Thames amount to nothing for the second straight inning, but it looks like the Yankees could break through soon. A two run double from Michael Young puts the Rangers up 5-0. It looks like it might be getting late early.
Fifth Inning - A Curtis Granderson walk was nullified by a Derek Jeter double play as the Yankees again did not score. In the bottom of the fifth, Joba Chamberlain made his first appearance in the 2010 playoffs, working a scoreless inning.
Sixth Inning - The Yankees go down one-two-three in what seemed to be seconds as Wilson remains in complete control. If you told me yesterday that Dustin Moseley would be pitching in the sixth inning of game one of the ALCS, I probably would have cried. Nyyrocks29 summed up my thoughts nicely, but The Mose did manage a scoreless frame.
Seventh Inning - The Yankees are allowed to score runs too! Robinson Cano goes deep and just maybe the Yankees have a chance (and Ron Darling continues to salivate over Cano in the booth). Jedi Master A-Rod did that thing he does. Another shut down inning from Moseley, completely confirming my theory that baseball makes no sense.
Things get a lot better after the jump.
Eighth Inning - A purely magical inning. A Gritty Gutty Brett Gardner infield hit, a Derek Jeter RBI double, a Nick Swisher walk, a Mark Teixeira walk, an Alex Rodriguez two-run single, a Robinson Cano single, and a Marcus Thames single totaled five runs for the Yankees. Now it's up to Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera to slam the door on a truly amazing comeback. Kerry Wood looked very shaky early on, but a pick off of Ian Kinsler loomed large, and he escaped without allowing another base runner.
Ninth Inning - Mariano Rivera.
Comments of the game go to Dorsal, nyyrocks29, and Jedi Master A-Rod as linked above.
Play Of The Game: Robinson Cano's game tying single.
There is a lot more to be said about this game, but I'm too physically and emotionally drained to put it all together right now. Suffice it to say that this was an incredible way for the Yankees to start the ALCS, truly snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.