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The Yankees were outhit by the Orioles tonight. However, the Yankees hits would all count for more as they secured a series split with a 5-4 victory.
Andy Pettitte would take the mound for the Yankees tonight. While it was not Pettitte's best outing of the year, he most certainly did his job. He would go 6.1 innings, giving up nine hits and three earned runs while striking out three and walking one. With the bullpen an uncertainty due to 2013's vicious injury bug, Andy gave the Yankees what they needed tonight, keeping them in the game long enough for the offense to come back and win the game. Earlier this year, science had deemed such an offensive feat impossible.
Scott Feldman, from across the hall (needs to be said), pitched a very good game tonight against the Yankees. He went 7.2 innings while striking out six, walking two, and only giving up three hits. One of those walks and two of those hits would be costly for Feldman though. In the 1st inning, Gritty Gutty Brett Gardner did what he does best and get on base. He then proceeded to steal second and would then score on two outs, which quite possibly made John Sterling giddier than a poet on pay day. The Yankees would not actually get a hit until Curtis Granderson launched a monster home run onto Euway in the top of the 5th. Alex Rodriguez, baseball's greatest villain, would provide the Yankees with their second hit of the night with a game tying dinger of his own. Thanks to @YankeesGIFS, we have his villainy documented for all to enjoy!
Robinson Cano, who should be payed as soon as humanly possible, decided he did not want this game to go into extra innings and hit a home run of his own off of Tommy Hunter to give the Yankees the lead. Curtis Granderson would come close to his second home run of the night, but instead settle for a triple. Lyle Overbay would drive the much needed insurance run in off of Troy Patton. No seriously, that Overbay single was just as huge as the dingers.
Shawn Kelley would come in for relief and get the Yankees out of trouble by striking out Brian Roberts. Before that, Chris Stewart, from the Order of Framing Warlocks, would gun out Mate McLouth trying to steal second base. Well done, Stewart. David Robertson came in to pitch the 8th and show the Yankees how healthy he is in typical Houdini fashion. Then came Mo. Mariano Rivera cannot seem to make a save easy these days. However, save the game he did. After McLouth's double and Roberts' single, Mo would strike out Manny Machado and make the writing of this recap much happier, like these gifs...
Both the Indians and Rangers lost this afternoon. With this win over the O's, the Yankees have ahead of the pack to 1.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot. The Red Sox just took the lead over the Rays in extra innings, so the Yankees might only be a game out of the second Wild Card spot by the end of the night. Exciting times.
Tomorrow the Yankees will look to take the series from the O's and keep their playoff dreams alive. It has been reported that Phil Hughes will get the start for the Yankees tomorrow night. Bold strategy, Cotton.
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