This bullpen is conspiring to make me turn gray before I'm 30.

Thursday, September 22, 2005
Home Game 78
Yankees 7 Orioles 6
Subway Race Winner: WW
Cap Game: #2



Well, at least the starters are holding their own. Mussina did great tonight in his return. He gave up one run (unearned) on 4 hits, 6K and no walks. His first pitch strikes were the key. Let's hope that his elbow holds up for his next start.

In the top of the 6th, with 2 outs, Gibbons hit a blooper to right field. Lawton once again dogged it and let the ball fall in. And man, did he hear it. Alls I gots to say is Bubba better be in right tomorrow. On the next play Tino booted a ground ball hit right to him. Runner at first was safe and Gibbons goes to third. But Moose was able to get out of the jam when Lopez grounded out to Jeter. If Mike can continue this type of performance over his next 2 starts it would be a huge boost.

Posada provided the offensive punch tonight with 2 dingers, a solo HR in the 5th and a monster 3-run moon shot into the upper deck in the 6th. In the 7th Cano hit a shot to right field that just missed going over the wall. I thought it was gone. But Robinson ran hard all the way and was able to turn it into a triple. He may have his lapses in the field that can be quite painful at times, but it warms my heart how this kid hustles on every ball put into play. A-Rod and Sheff tacked on a couple insurance runs (a sac fly and HR respectively) that unfortunately the Yankee bullpen cashed in on.

Leiter had a great 1-2-3 7th inning in relief of Moose (who was on a pitch limit tonight.) But he fell apart in the 8th giving up 4 earned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Sturtze didn't fair much better in relief of Al, allowing 2 of Leiter's runners to score. The first was scored on a ground out to Cano, so it wasn't a huge deal because he got an out in the process. But then he gave up a double that drove in another run to make it 7-5. He got out of the inning without any more damage done.

With Mo unavailable Gordon came in to close in the 9th. He got Byrnes and Castro to ground out. But then gave up a dinger to Mora to bring the score to 7-6. Tejada grounded out to Jeter on the first pitch and the ball game was over.

Eight of the last 11 games have been 1-run affairs. The Yankees have lost only 1 of those games. By next Sunday I think I will have to get a refill on my asthma inhaler.

It was a crisp night, but not quite cool enough where you needed a jacket. Perfect night to watch a game. And there was something different in the air tonight (and I don't just mean the sweet smell of ganja.) People were just a little happier than usual. It's amazing how the Yankees' place in the standings affects one's mood. Sure, everyone knows that it's far from over, but as of now, they are not the chasers. That "New York" flag is back at head of the line on the façade, a position it hasn't held since July 18th. The Yankees were on the road at that point, so tonight was the first time this season that the bleachers were able to bust out the "First Place Yankees" chant. With any luck we will be able to do it for the next 3 days.