Toronto Blue Jays (game 93) at New York Yankees (game 91)
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by Baseball363
Well, I only started watching this game in the eighth, as I checked the score, and saw it was one all. However thought I'd write a few words about it regardless.
The Yankees pulled off the win in the bottom of the tenth, with a walk off single, by a score of 3-2. Their fourth walk off of the season the play by play announcer said.
I started watching in time to see the Jays get the go ahead run by means of an RBI double by Aaron Hill which brought in Howie Clark. I don't think there is any doubt they would have had a much better chance to win the game if they had their actual closer healthy, B.J. Ryan.
The bottom of the ninth was key for the Yankees, as they easily could have won it then, but had to settle with tying the game.
One of the announcers noticed how Melky Cabrera swung at a pitch he wasn't trying to hit to try and buy a bit of time, albeit even if quicker than the blink of an eye. Gregg Zaun then threw to second to try and catch Miguel Cairo stealing, who was pinch running after Andy Phillips singled, however he was safe on the play. Something I noticed on the replay that was really tight, was that Cairo bounced ever so briefly off the base after sliding hard into it. I'm not sure if it was McDonald or Hill that tried to tag Cairo out, however normally the fielder holds the glove with the ball on the runner in case he comes off the bag. So had whomever done so, and the umpire noticed, Cairo would have been out.
Miguel Cairo went on to be thrown out at home after Cabrera singled to Rios, which apparently was deflected by Overbay, but I don't recall that. Rios threw to Zaun who blocked the plate as he normally does on such plays. On the throw home from Rios, Cabrera went to second. Cabrera then stole third, and then scored on a balk to tie the game.
The bottom of the tenth was won with Alex Rodriguez scoring the winning run. He was HBP, just barely, on his elbow pad. His tenth time being plunked. He is twelfth in the majors in that category, (for the stat nuts) Chase Utley is first with 15, followed closely by Aaron Rowand with 14. On a wild pitch that just got away from Zaun, Rodriguez advanced to second. Jorge Posada was intentionally walked to the open first base, and then on then on the first pitch Robinson Cano faced he singled to left, to win the game.
All in all a game that could have gone either way. A well pitched game that turned into small ball for the Yankees to win. Seems the Yankees are playing well, with now four consecutive wins, and 5 of their last six dating back one game before the All-Star break. On the other side, no matter what one says, bottom line, the Jays will have to start winning on a regular basis in order to find the post-season.
