Sorry for the lack of updates on the first two games on the Rangers series...it's been a busy weekend. However, I will review tonight's game and give grades for ALL three games of the series as well. The Yanks are off tomorrow so Tuesday's forecast will come tomorrow afternoon/evening.
Commentary:
The game was exciting and so was the weather. What began as a pleasant spring evening with a temperature of 59 degrees turned stormy with a brilliant flash of lightning followed by some rain and small hail during the middle innings. The grounds crew never had to make that run onto the field though and the game was played in an economical (for the Yankees) 3 hr and 3 min.
CC took the mound for New York trying to notch his first win of the year. Plagued by bad luck despite brilliant pitching early this season, Sabathia would still find himself winless after he departed the game with the lead in the 7th. Staked with his first lead of the night, CC struck out Bourbon and was relieved by Joba in the 7th with 1 out. Joba promptly walked the first man he faced, Ian Kinsler. Michael Young knocked him him in with a ground rule double and CC's potential win had evaporated in 5 minutes. From there, the bullpen looked solid with a dominant performance by Mariano in the 9th and a refreshingly easy inning for Soriano in the 8th who's ERA dropped to 8.10.
The game was close all the way with Adrian Beltre supplying 4 of the 5 Texas runs, including a 2 run first inning home run to put the Rangers out in front. For New York, they struggled off of Ogando for most of the night but it was once again the home run that kept them in the game (60+% of the Yankees runs have been scored via the long ball). Cano connected on a solo shot while Martin and Granderson each had 2 run home runs. The hero of the game however was Eric Chavez who is now 6-12 in games that he starts. His go ahead single in the 8th that plated Teixiera was the turning point in the game.
Grades (Sunday Night vs Rangers):
Offense: A- Would have been nice to see some more action off of Ogando early but New York stayed patient and figured out Ogando by the 3rd time through the line up and were able to handle the high fastball.
Starting Pitching (Sabathia): B- Not a good start but nevertheless had the chance to pick up a W. Still a sparkling ERA of 2.52 this season.
Bullpen: B+ Inexplicable 4 pitch walk to Kinsler by Joba and then allowing the game tying double to Young.
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Verification of the Forecast for Saturday's Game;
Forecast Temp: 49
Observed Temp: 47
Forecast Conditions: Cloudy with showers developing.
Observed Conditions: Cloudy, showers developed.
Grade: A
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Grades (Friday Night vs. Rangers Loss 5-3)
Offense: C 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position although they managed 9 hits. Grounding into an American League record 6 double plays doesn't help.
Starting Pitching (Nova): D+ 4.1 IP and 5 runs. Not good, and the 5 walks is especially awful.
Bullpen: A Once again the bullpen came through. Lance Pendleton was a nice surprise who was just called up from AAA to replace Hughes. He was perfect in 3 innings of work.
Grades (Saturday Afternoon vs. Rangers Win 5-2)
Offense: B 5 runs was good and there were 2 more home runs but the Yanks were 0-5 w/RISP which needs to change. You can't continue to rely on the home run.
Starting Pitching (Garcia): A Can't ask for much more from your number 5 starter especially on a chilly, damp, and blustery day. 6 IP with 1 BB, 1 SO, and 2 hits. Especially impressive since he hadn't started in about 3 weeks.
Bullpen: B- Soriano once again had issues but Joba and Mo were solid.
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