May 20, 2007
Yanks Can Head Back to the Bronx on a Winning Note
The Yankees at least managed to exit the third and final game of their Subway Series with the Mets with a win and with the help of an unlikely savior. 22-year-old Tyler Clippard was just called up from his Triple-A minor league team to be the starting pitcher in front of a sold-out Shea Stadium crowd against hometown rivals the Mets, in a game that was being broadcast nationally. Worse yet, since it was an interleague game, Clippard was going to be required to bat facing a Major League pitcher, and he probably hasn't stepped into a batter's box since high school.
The young pitcher distinguished himself fantastically: allowing only three hits and one run over six innings, while walking three and striking out six. That is a pretty damn fine performance for any starting pitcher. And unbelievably, Clippard actually hit a double in the top of the 6th inning, so he was 1 for 2 with a sacrifice bunt at three times at bat. As he will probably not return to the plate for some time, Clippard can brag to his new teammates that he now possesses the team's highest battering average at .500.
Mariano Rivera gave up a 9th inning home run, but he and reliever Scott Proctor managed to hold themselves together to give Clippard a 6-2 win. Jorge Posada only managed to hit 1 for 4 with a walk during the game, but his one hit was another homerun, which moved him into 10th all-time among Yankees batters. Jeter went 2 for 4, with an intentional walk. His two hits were a double and a two-run homer.
Odd game note: first baseman Doug Mientikiewicz was hit by the Mets pitcher in the top of the 7th, but homeplate umpire Tony Randazzo wouldn't let him take his base, saying that he had purposefully not avoided a hardcutting curve ball. You don't see that very often.
Boston's in town tomorrow and Mike Mussina's the expected starter for the Yanks. It could not go more disastrously than Boston's last visit to the Bronx.
Tagged:Posted by Lexiphane at May 20, 2007 11:46 PM
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