As if proving to Toronto that we have a decent pitching staff of our own, The Yankees marched out Phil Hughes. All he did was retire the first 9 batters he faced. Hughes was given a no decision today, after six innings of great pitching, allowing only two runs. A very solid performance from the young hurler.
As much as pitching wanted to be the topic of conversation today, something happened in the 8th inning that was cause for attention. The New York Yankees, no stranger to small ball (maybe a distant cousin, though), decided to manufacture some runs. They decided to show a different side of themselves. Instead of knocking balls into the surrounding Bronx neighborhoods, the decided to bunt the runner around, and was rewarded with an error, and found themselves with a 2-man on, no-out situation. That was when Jeter sacrificed, and Bobby Abreu blooped a single into center field right at the feet of a charging Vernon Wells, sending the go-ahead run home. It was a thing of beauty.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not an announcement that the Yankees have gone soft, and they are going to play baseball the national league way or anything. They still plan on winning baseball games the Yankee way, the Bronx Bomber way, in spectacular fashion, but it sure was nice to see this brand of baseball displayed on the field today.
Girardi had this to say about today’s game, and how they pulled this one off, for the 2nd win of the season, as well as his 2nd win as the New York Yankee skipper, “You get in tight games and you’re going to have to be able to execute and score runs. We’re not afraid to do that. Guys can handle the bat here.”
Well said. It was just that type of game today. A tight one with good pitching, and great offense, moving guys around the bags and scoring runs. The Yankees (2-1) win this one against the Toronto Blue Jays (1-2), by a score of 3-2, to take the rubber game and the series.
Next up … the Rays of Tampa Bay, are we all going to get along?
