Yanks Take 2 of 3 at Wrigley

Despite a lethargic start on Friday afternoon, New York gained momentum and showed plenty of offensive firepower by the time the 3 game set with Chicago ended on Sunday night.  The Yankees continue to keep pace with Boston who has a 1.5 game lead in the AL East.  Let's break down the three games against the Cubs.

@ Cubs (Friday, June 17th; Garcia vs. Davis)  Cubs Win 3-1

Offense:  D+  It was an evening to forget for the offense who struggled mightily to get anything going against the usually pedestrian Doug Davis.  Scoring 1 run on 5 hits while going 1-6 w/RISP, New York once again failed to give Garcia any run support whose record is 5-6 despite a 3.63 ERA.

Starting Pitching:  B+  It started out rough for Garcia but he turned it around in the 4th inning and lasted through 7.  Too bad the offense couldn't score a few runs.

Bullpen:  A+  Only a 1 inning sample size but Ayala once again did an impressive job, striking out one.

@ Cubs (Saturday, June 18th; Burnett vs. Dempster)  Yankees Win 4-3

Offense:  B  Despite 10 walks and 11 hits, the Yankees could only muster 4 runs.  Going 4-13 w/RISP was decent but they should have scored more than just 4 runs.  The insurance run in the 9th proved key.

Starting Pitching:  B  Burnett only gave the Yanks 5.2 innings due to a high pitch count induced from 8 strikeouts and 3 walks but he kept the team in the game as he has in almost all of his starts this year, only allowing 2 runs.

Bullpen:  A  Despite the solo home run by Reed Johnson off of Rivera in the 9th, the bullpen was perfect.  Wade, Noesi, and Robertson did a fine job.

@ Cubs (Sunday, June 19th; Sabathia vs. Wells)  Yankees Win 10-4

Offense:  A+  6-12 w/RISP, amassing 13 hits and 10 runs.  It took until the 8th and 9th inning for the Yankees to come a live but they did a great job erasing a 4-1 deficit and winning decisively.

Starting Pitching:  B  CC had a mediocre outing but gave New York length, lasting 7 innings on only 89 pitches (he had thrown over 100 in 22 consecutive starts).

Bullpen:  A  No earned runs allowed and Robertson pitched well in the 8th despite allowing 2 walks.  Marquez allowed 2 hits in the 9th but the game was well out of reach at that point.