So, you are watching the American League Division Series last night. What do you expect to see? How about Derek Jeter come up with a big hit to help the team? Sure, you got that. Ok, how about Mariano Rivera close out a playoff game? Yep, damn right you saw that. And maybe A-Rod have a good game? No way..it cant be. Yep! He did. He was even able to do it with girlfriend Kate Hudson in attendance.
Thats right folks, I think we saw as much of Kate Hudson during last nights game as we did baseball. Ok, so I am exaggerating a little bit. Dont get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem looking at the beautiful Kate Hudson. And if that is what has been making A-Rod so relaxed and allow him to just play baseball and have fun doing it, I hope she is at every game. Plus, it was actually kind of cute to see her reaction after A-Rod came up with a big hit. How adorable those little lovebirds are.
Ok..enough of that. Lets get to the game. All this talk about A-Rod and CC Sabathia having problems in the post season. Throw that right out the window, for one game at least. Sabathia took the mound and did exactly what the Yankees needed him to do. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, scattering 8 hits while striking out 8 and walking none. He gave up 2 runs, only one of which was earned. The other run scored on a passed ball by Jorge Posada. The biggest difference in Sabathia last night was 0 walks. In his previous post season outings for other clubs, he had problems with his control. Not last night. He did not have dominant stuff, but he threw strikes and made big pitches when he needed them most. Sabathia left the game to a well deserved standing ovation in the top of the 7th and turned the game over to the bullpen. Game Over! This Yankee bullpen is very good this year. Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera all chipped in a few pitches to finish the game.
Offensively, the Yankees started slow. Minnesota Twins starter Brian Duesing went through the Bombers order without any trouble in the first and second innings. The second time around, things changed. Down 2-0 in the bottom half of the 3rd, Captain Clutch came up to the plate with a runner on. As we have seen time and time again, Derek Jeter came through with a big post season home run. He tied the game by pulling a 1-0 slider down the left field line for a two run home run. The crowd at the new Yankee Stadium finally got into the game, the first playoff game at this stadium.
The next inning, right fielder Nick Swisher lined an RBI double down the left field line to give the Yankees the lead for good. Swisher was pumped up after the big hit and showed it by a fist pump and a "Yea, fuck yea!".
Alex Rodriguez flied out to right in his first about and struck out his second time up. However, unlike in years past, he stayed relaxed and got a hit in each of his next to plate appearances. Rodriguez finished 2-4 with 2 RBI's. As all of us Yankee fans are, I am sure Kate Hudson is so proud of her A-Rod.
Hideki Matsui connected for a 2-run home run that turned a tight 4-2 lead into a more comfortable 6-2 lead.
After today's off day, the series will resume Friday night in the Bronx as A.J. Burnett takes the mound for the Yankees and Nick Blackburn for the Twins. The Yankees lead this best of 5 series 1 game to none.