Please keep the football talk in the extra-inning thread. I'll keep that up for you, but let's talk baseball here, football there.
The Yankees swept the Orioles today, as Andy Pettitte bailed out the lack of hitting with RISP by pitching a complete and total gem.
The Orioles defeated the Yankees today, as Mariano Rivera blew the save in the 9th, and the Yankees' lineup struggled with RISP once again.
Andy Pettitte had an impressive outing, going six innings, with three hits and an earned run allowed. After Pettitte left the game with a 3-1 lead, the Yankees looked destined for the sweep.
Joba Chamberlain followed Pettitte with a scoreless one third of an inning, then the Orioles managed a run off of Logan/Wood.
Finally, with a 3-2 lead in the 9th, it was Mo-Time. Rivera gave up a solo home run to the pinch-hitter, Luke Scott, and the game was tied.
In the bottom of the 11th, the Orioles managed to win the game, thanks to a bloop double by Luke Scott that may have been caught if someone other than Marcus Thames was playing left field, and an RBI hit by Ty Wigginton.
Don't be so sure about chalking up the loss to the bullpen. This loss, as well as many others can be attributed to the Yankees' lack of hitting with runners in scoring position. Let's go over the main chances lost.Top 4th: Yankees score two runs, but leave the bases loaded, as Jeter grounds out.
Top 6th: Yankees have 1st and 3rd, one out, but Gardner and Jeter both ground out.
Top 9th: 1st and 3rd two outs, Cano grounds out.
Top 11th: Runner on 3rd no outs. Thames strikes out, back to back intentional walks, Lance Berkman grounds into a double play.
So many chances, so little prodcution.
Story of the last couple of weeks, it seems.
Anyway, the Yankees return home to face Tampa tomorrow night. They will honor George Steinbrenner. The boss wouldn't be so happy right now, would he be? Let's get some hits with RISP for the boss tomorrow.
Comment of the Game: Was very close to not giving anyone the COG due to the enormous amount of "Yankees suck" "Berkman sucks" etc during the game. Still, although i'd like to give myself comment of the game, I'll give it to Jedi Master A-Rod's picture that warms my heart.
Oh, and one more thing, Lance Berkman does not suck. That is all.