Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali.

Sunday, October 9, 2005
ALDS Game 4
Yankees 3 Angels 2
Subway Race Winner: 4 train
Cap Game: WW



That was absofuckinglutely awesome. So much for all the "an extra day's rest will be bad because that will help the Angels bullpen" crap. The offense did what it needed to do to win the game. And that was score one more run than their opponent. Sure, they had chances to break the game open and they didn't do it. But I really don't give a shit. Sure, Joe made some questionable moves. But I don't give a shit. They Yankees won tonight. They were facing elimination and they won.

They won behind yet another solid outing by Shawn "I love him so much it hurts" Chacón. I had a good feeling about the night when he had a 1-2-3 first inning (including 2 strikeouts.) He was perfect through 3, then in the 4th Figgins reached on an error by Matsui. After nearly getting picked off by Chacón, Figgins took off on the next pitch and was gunned down by Posada. With 2 outs, Vlad reached on an infield single. Cano nearly made the play, as he ranged far to his left, onto the outfield grass to snag the ball, but his throw was late. The first pitch to Anderson got away from Jorge and he looked at first like he had trouble finding the ball. Vlad took off for second. Posada was able to find the ball, pick it up and gun down Guerrero at second. Jorge saved what could have been a very ugly inning. Chacón had a 1-2-3 5th, but ran into trouble in the 6th inning. A leadoff walk (his only of the game) would come back to haunt him. 2 runs scored that inning. The joint was jumpin' up until that point in the game. With the Yankees having only one hit in the game, falling behind took some wind out of us. But the Yanks came back with a run in the bottom of the 6th. ARod walked (hey, if he's not hitting, at least he's taking his walks and getting on base), moved to second on a ground out, and came home on a Sheffield single.

I thought that if Chacón could get through 7 with the score close, that would be ideal. Mo was well rested and could probably go two. Well, Shawn almost made it. He got one out in the 7th and then gave up a single to Molina. At this point, Leiter and Gordon (I think?) were warming in the pen. With Erstad at the plate Joe came out to take the ball from Shawn and everyone booed. We didn't boo Chacón (in fact he got a rather nice standing-O), we just didn't want to see the sketchy bull pen. Erstad has been Al Leiter's bitch this series, but I was still nervous with him coming in. But Al got him to ground into an inning ending double play. The bottom of the 7th saw the Yankees put up 2 more runs to take the lead. Cano reached on infield single. Posada walked. Rueben got a HUGE pinch hit single to score Cano to tie the game. Jeter hit a chopper to third scoring Posada (who got lucky since Molina tagged him with his glove, but the ball was in his hand.) That was all they got and that was all they needed. As predicted, Mo came in for the 8th for the last 6 outs of the game. I think I held my breath on every pitch. Leiter got the win. I heard it was his first post-season win since game 1 of the 1993 world series. If this ends up being his last appearance in the big leagues, it was a nice way for him to go out. But, this is no time to be talking like that.

When Reuben hit for Bubba, we were speculating about who Joe would put in center. None of us considered the double switch with Bernie in center (thus losing the DH) and Tino at first. Actually we were too stupid to realize there was a double switch and thought Mo may have to bat in the 8th. Once we saw Tino on deck it hit us and we felt pretty stupid. I guess we were too delirious with joy over the comeback. Bernie, once again, got much love from the crowd. He got another curtain call after his last at bat in the 8th. This (again) could be his last appearance in pinstripes. But, this is no time to be talking like that.

The Yankees won tonight. They live to play another day. And that's all that matters.

Tonight finally felt like the post-season at the Stadium. The crowd was taken out of the game early on Friday. But Chacón was strong from the get-go tonight and the crowd responded accordingly. There is something special about hearing 56,000 people saying "Oh!" on a close pitch. I hope we get a chance to do it again real soon.