Yankees 5, Mets 4: Russell Martin Powers Yankees To Sweep Over Mets

The story was almost the same as the narrative goes. The Yankees struggle with runners in scoring position, Alex Rodriguez is the only player booed for some reason, and the Yankees aren't able to sweep their opponents. The key word in this paragraph is almost, however, as the Yankees were able to come back in the bottom of the eighth inning then win it in the bottom of the ninth after the Mets tied it in the top half of the final inning and defeat the New York Mets 5-4.

Andy Pettitte, who took a ground ball to the pitching hand but stayed in the game, was solid outside of one inning. Pettitte gave up a bunch of BABIP aided hits in the top of the 2nd inning, but managed to get out of the inning with only three runs (two earned) allowed. The rest of the game was a classic Pettitte outing, as he surrendered two hits and zero runs for the remainder of his appearance, spanning six innings. Pettitte walked two, struck out eight, and did not allow a home run.

Russell Martin hit a Yankee Stadium special home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the deficit to one run. Seems like every time I bash him he hits a home run. I will bash him more. Stay tuned for more on Martin....

Meanwhile the Yankees offense struggled most of the game, including a Nick Swisher bunt attempt (terrible idea) and every player in the lineup leaving a runner on base through the first seven innings outside of Curtis Granderson and Jayson Nix. Despite three GIDP and the runners left on base, the Yankees managed to stay in the game thanks to Pettitte's solid outing. In the bottom of the eighth the Yankees managed a rally thanks to four straight singles from the 1-4 hitters in the lineup. This time, the BABIP was on the Yankees side!

The Mets tied the game in the top of the ninth on back to back doubles, giving Rafael Soriano his first blown save of the season. Boone Logan managed to get out of a first and third one out jam created by Soriano to preserve the tie game.

Finally, to end the game, the Yankees sent Russell Martin to the plate to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning, and for the second time in the game Martin went yard. That's right, Russell Martin hit a walk off home run.

With the win the Yankees guaranteed at least a split of the season Subway Series, and continued their streak of solid pitching. Next up is a series in Atlanta, then a set in Washington before returning home to face Atlanta again for some odd reason.

Comment of the Game: SortofGrandish