Controversial Finish: Seahawks & Packers Game Spurs Last Straw for Replacement Refs - Sept 25, 2012

September 25, 2012

     The most Bizarre, Shocking, and Controversial Finish you will ever see took the stage on Monday Night Football as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers in a Stunning, and perhaps an unprecedented and questionable touchdown call to award the Seahawks a victory.  With 8 seconds left on the clock and the Seattle Seahawks down to their 4th-down, rookie Seahawk QB Russell Wilson fired a Hail Mary into the Endzone which was clearly caught and intercepted by Packers M.D. Jennings with Seahawks Golden Tate seemingly having an arm and simultaneous possession of the ball, the final ruling and result on the field was a game-winning Touchdown by the Seahawks in the most confusing and controversial finish in NFL history.  It included a sequence of events which included so many major plays that were called and not called, but towards the end, two replacement officials looked indecisively at each other and signaled two very quite opposite calls, one official was signaling what appeared to be a "dead-ball" or touch-back and the other official waving the touchdown call, and at the end was decided as a touchdown.  This happened moments after Golden Tate shoved Packers Sam Shields to the ground for an offensive pass interference that was not called and this obviously led to the "biggest" and most controversial endings that has the entire NFL, players, coaches, fans, the whole world of sports in an uproar.

     Week 3 of the NFL has seen so many bizarre corners of the institution of replacement referees and the NFL analysts said "it is only going to get worse".  Unfortunately it took a highly-rated and anticipated game like the Seahawks and Packers on Monday Night to finally witness the Volcanic Explosion that was expected to happen on a season already full of infuriating, agonizing, and upsetting emotions toward the novice crew of officiating.  We have seen coaches in upsetting games erupt, player tweets, fans and NFL specialists sound off on this downward spiral and ruining of the "greatest game".  However, Bill Belichick's antics on the field as he grabbed an official after Sunday's loss and Jon Harbaugh's rant was merely the beginning of it, but what happened last night to Mike McCarthy and his Green Bay team was beyond jaw-dropping and no doubt there will be movement and unrest in the NFL world to come after yesterday's blown game.  "Don't ask me a question about the officials", was Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy's ecstatic reaction after the game.  What made it worse was the fact that Green Bay had to send 11 men back onto the field to finish the game and kick that extra point after perhaps the most disgusting call in the NFL just robbed the Packers of a win.  Give credit to the Packs for their professional display after an event like that one.  The truth of the matter is fans, players, coaches, and any follower of National Football grow more furious by the day as the continued implementation of replacement officials by the League remains in order, and any close solution of returning the regular league officials back onto the field is unlikely. 

     There should not be any reason to believe that a game like this would not shake trees and blow the top off the can.  Players and coaches have been complaining and showing their frustrations on the field, reports had it that the Packers trashed their locker rooms, throwing chairs at the television screens not believing anything that was made official in yesterday's loss which should not have even been a loss.  Nonetheless, the entire sports world and nation is tuning in, as this means the legitimacy of these new league officials are no doubt in question, and the "integrity and safety" of the game of football that has come to be so respected has now been jeopardized.  Aaron Rodgers had plenty to say immediately after the game, "It was awful... just look at the replays .. and the fact that is was reviewed.. awful".  We knew the installation of replacement referees was bad, we saw it in preseason football, we saw it the first three games of the season, coaches fired-up, players mouthing off, but it starts to get heavy when the consequences begin to affect the result of the game.  As many sports analysts and former officials of the league have reacted, nothing gets done until something bad happens and sure enough, something happened.  It could not get any worse than Monday night.  It was just fortunate this was not a playoff game, although this certainly does affect a team's course in getting to the playoffs.  What is more intriguing is the fact that player's safety is at risk, there already has been so many incidences in Week 3 and so far as this season has taken its course where players have been chop-blocked and there has been no call, face-masks attempts that were not enforced by the refs, unnecessary roughness calls that were not made, close-to injury plays that were not followed-up and flagged by the officials.  What ends up happening perhaps in response by the coaches, players, and teams is they begin to take advantage of the rules, these holes and all these flaws in officiating the game, relying on the fact that the ref might just end up screwing up a play and have the call go in favor of their team.  

     Despite such drama, and throughout all the Mayhem that "left a bad taste in the mouth", as MNF Sportscaster Jon Gruden said, there was still football laying beneath the dark shadow hovering over the field.  Give the Seahawks credit especially on that last play as Russell Wilson fired it in, and Golden Tate's efforts in competing on that "catch".  He was asks after the game if he pushed off on Sam Shields, "I don't know what you're talking about... I don't know what you're talking about", said Tate to a reporter.  It was clearly shown through many times of replay that M.D. Jennings had established possession of the ball to his chest, and Golden Tate did not have "simultaneous" possession as the rule says, it should not have been called a touchdown.  This is not even in relation to the offensive pass interference that Golden Tate should have been penalized for.  The NFL has now officially up-held the ruling of the touchdown call saying that the play is cannot be reviewed nor overturned.  This unfortunate event comes at a hefty price and the issue of replacement refs and the questionable return of the regular officials sits amidst this mayhem that has got the entire NFL, Sports and for that matter the world rumbling!

B.C Sports
Brian C

Pettitte Sparks - Yanks Topple Twins - Sept 24, 2012

September 24, 2012

     The Yankees continue to win and play hot baseball in the month of October as the season winds down.  In just his second start since returning from the DL, veteran Andy Pettitte tossed 6 scoreless innings in a 6-3 Yankees win over the Minnesota.  His presence back in the lineup certainly can solidify staff rotations in a postseason.

      The Yankees in the Twin City faced off against Liam Hendriks, and they did not waste any time as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first with Nick Swisher ripping a chunk out of the ball, into the deep right-center field seats it went for his 23rd homer of the season.  Curtis Granderson homered in the fourth inning, his 40th home-run of the year.  Granderson is now one of the only three in Yankee history to have back-to-back 40 home-run seasons, he is now among an elite few which includes Jason Giambi and Lou Gehrig.  Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez added back-to-back solo shots in the seventh to get the Yankees their 6 runs.  As for Andy, he was dandy and pitched 6 solid scoreless innings despite giving up 7 hits.  Pettitte escaped out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first.  Then in the bottom of the fourth, he was helped by Curtis Granderson in center-field as his relay throw to home plate was right on the mark to Russell Martin who applied a very nice tag to the shoulder of Ryan Doumit who was attempting to score from second on a 2-Out single.  That kept the scoreless innings in place.  David Robertson did make things interesting in the 9th as he surrendered a 2-run triple which brought the Twins a bit closer, but got the final out to make things official.  The Yankees have won 8 of their last 9 games, and certainly feel positive with less than 10 games remaining on the season.

     Andy Pettitte has not given up a run since coming off the DL which is a bonus for Yankee pitching.  The Yankees now go up by a game and a half against the Baltimore Orioles who lost the second game of a double-header against the Blue Jays.

B.C Sports,
Brian C

Russell Martin's Walk-Off Against Oakland A's - Sept 21, 2012

September 21, 2012

     
     Well when it is all said and done, it all comes down to winning and that is what the New York Yankees did tonight in the Bronx.  The hero in extra innings Russell Martin homers to left field in the bottom of the 10^th inning to give the Yankees a 2-1 victory over the red hot Oakland Athletics. Martin’s homerun was just the thing to put a cherry on top especially after Rafael Soriano’s blown save spoiled a brilliant pitching performance by C.C Sabathia.

     It was a pitching duel from the first inning on as Sabathia took the hill against the Oakland Athletics, winners of 9 of their last 13 games and tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the wild card lead.  Sabathia worked through the early innings without much trouble, and his outfield showing some speed thanks to a nice running catch by Ichiro Suzuki in the first inning.  The Yankees would oppose Oakland starter Jarrod Parker who would allow just one run to the Yankees.  That run came in in the bottom of the fourth where Curtis Granderson's sac-fly would give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.  C.C Sabathia, just brilliant going 8 strong innings with just 3 hits and 11 strikeouts.  All was set for the win only except when Yankee closer Rafael Soriano came in in the top of the 9th and surrendered a 1 Out, pinch-hit, game-tying homerun to Brandon Moss.  That long-ball was crushed deep into the second deck in right and the game was knotted at 1-1, spoiling an impressive start by C.C Sabathia.  The game goes to extra innings and in the bottom of the 10th, Russell Martin comes to the plate and delivers a deep drive to left-field off of Oakland reliever Sean Doolittle which sends the Yankees home for a 2-1 victory, the Yankees win their 6th straight.

     Russell Martin was all pumped up in the clubhouse after the game, "We have a day game tomorrow and I was trying to get out of here as quickly as possible", a humorous Martin said.  For Martin that was his 19th long ball of the season.  It certainly took Rafael Soriano off the hook who was very pleased and happy for his teammate picking him up.  David Robertson would win in relief.  After the excitement, C.C Sabathia had much to feel happy for despite his win being spoiled, "We haven't had a lot of walk-offs here since 2009, so it was great".  What was much more outstanding was Sabathia's pitching performance in this game, especially losing his last three starts, "We always need a start like this especially in a tight race.  It feels great", Sabathia said.  Sabathia on 6 days rest had all his pitches working for him including a mid 90s fastball, and slider which was his strikeout pitch.  His change-up also caught the corners of the plate which posed effective.  With 6 days of rest between starts in his career, Sabathia is 2-0 with a 0.42 ERA.

     The Yankees remain a game ahead in the AL East with Baltimore beating the Boston Red Sox 4-2 at Fenway.

B.C Sports,
Brian C. 

Giants Bury Panthers in Crusher - Sept 20, 2012

 September 20, 2012

     
     Coming into the match-up, it was going to be about which offense can out-match the other.  With high  speculation that Cam Newton and his young Panther offense would come away with it, the New York Giants came into Carolina and stomped the Panthers in a 36-7 crusher.  After an impressive 4th quarter comeback by the Giants last Sunday, it was sure Eli Manning would have to do it again, but "Easy E" as his teammates call him, did not have to sweat too much in this one.

     An offensive line that did not feature WR Hakeem Nicks and RB Ahmad Bradshaw and their Right Tackle David Diehl due to injury, there seemed to be little doubt that the Panthers would have the edge in this match, but the Giants jumped out to an early 7-0 lead thanks to a 14 yard touchdown pass Eli Manning to Martellus Bennett in the opening drive.  Later in the second, Andre Brown would take it into the endzone for his touchdown making it 17-0.  The Giants would score on their first four possessions along with a pair of field goals and go into the half with a 20-0 advantage.  Later in the fourth with the Giants already up 26-7, Andre Brown would rush it in for his second of his two-touchdown night making it 33-7.  The only offense coming from the Carolina Panthers came in the third quarter when Cam Newton dove in for a 1 yard touchdown at the goal line.  The Giants would go on to win 36-7 in this impressive offensive and defensive display in Carolina.

   

     Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said on a Thursday night that they came in here feeling positive and good about themselves, "We didn't turn the ball over which was big for us, we got some takeaways".  In fact, Eli Manning threw for 288 yards and 0 interceptions.  With this performance, make it 22 consecutive games with 200 yards or more for Eli Manning.  This ties Drew Brees who achieved it in 2008.  "When we run the ball our offense really gets clicking", said Manning relating to his impressive offense.  A game when Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw did not play, the replacements really shined on the spotlight.  Ramses Barden who filled in for Hakeem Nicks had 9 receptions going for 138 yards.  Backup RB Andre Brown had an outstanding 20 carries including 113 yards and two touchdowns.  After the game Eli had props for the two new replacements, "You never know when you're going to get an opportunity, you got to step up for it", and they certainly put on a display.  The Panther defense focusing their attention on key offenses such as Victor Cruz were no match for these "killer Bs".  Ramses Barden hugged his quarterback on the sideline in the fourth.  

     As for Cam Newton, he finished off the night with 1 touchdown, 242 yards, and committed 3 interceptions.  The Giants defense that smothered Cam Newton and the Panther offense was led by Justin Tuck who felt great about their performance, "Cam is an athletic quarterback and hard to stop, but we got them".  The end result surely reflected the Giants defense as Cam Newton was sacked 2 times with Osi Umenyiora(1st sack of season) showing honors in the second quarter as well as by Jason Pierre-Paul.

     It was no doubt that the impressive performances of replacements Ramses Barden and Andre Brown pose as positive key options for the Giants offense later in the season especially filling in with the absences of Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw.  It gives the Giants more dynamic depth in their receiving and passing game.  The defending champs go 2-1 with this blowout in Carolina as the Panthers fall to 1-2 on the season. The Giants have a big one coming up next Sunday as they visit their division rival Philadelphia Eagles.

B.C Sports,
Brian Chin

Yankees Double Up On Jays in Double Header - Sept 19, 2012

September 19, 2012


Game 1:     

     It has been a while since we have seen the big lefty ace on the mound but today Andy Pettitte returned on the hill for the Yankees in the first game of a day-night double header against the Toronto Blue Jays in the Bronx.  Pettitte returning from the DL since going on the injured list on June 27, it was a great welcome back as he pitched an impressive 5 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts in a 4-2 Yankee victory.  Despite Manager Joe Girardi's close eye on his veteran's pitch count and outing, Andy ended up pitching those 5 innings earning a win, and more importantly helping the Yankees win.  

     The Yankees jumped out into an early 3-0 lead in the first inning.  Ichiro Suzuki went 3-4 in the victory and the Yankee offense gelled and manufactured the early runs.  Although a questionably decision by Joe Girardi to use six relievers including Derek Lowe, Clay Rapada, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, and David Robertson to pick up in the sixth inning, the bullpen was able to piece it together for the remainder of the game.  Rafael Soriano came in in the eighth inning during a 2 Out bases loaded jam and got the Yankees out of it while picking up a 4 Out save and his 41st on the year.  

     As for Pettitte, the Yankees were grateful to have him back and his brief but quality outing give the Yankees more depth in their starting rotation.

Game 2:     

     Earlier today, with six relief pitchers used in Game 1 of the double header against the Blue Jays, it was clear that David Phelps was expected to give the Yankees quality innings and pitch deep into the game.  However things got a bit dicey in the top of the second when Phelps pitch count began to go up and allowed an RBI single to Adeiny Hechavarria giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.  In the bottom of the second, the Yankees came right back against Toronto Starter Ricky Romero as Chris Stewart ripped a 2-Out RBI ground-rule double down the left-field line scoring Ichiro Suzuki to tie the game at 1-1.  

     David Phelps then settled and went on to pitch 6.1 innings and only allowing a run on three hits. 
Phelps would leave in the 7th inning with no decision paving the way for Boone Logan and Cody Eppley.  Still tied in the bottom of the 8th inning, Curtis Granderson already on base would steal third.  With 2 Outs, and Ichiro at the plate facing lefty reliever Aaron Loop, Ichiro Suzuki would flip one over into left-field scoring Curtis Granderson for the go-ahead run giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead.  Ichiro would go on to steal 2nd base, and if that weren't enough, he would steal third base as well.  Ichiro would go 4-4 including a big go-ahead hit and add 4 stolen bases to that in Game 2.  Cody Eppley would pick up the win in relief.  Rafael Soriano would close it out for his 42nd save and second save of the day as the Yankees go on to win it 2-1 and beat the Jays a second time in the double-header.

     After the game Joe Girardi had reaction to their veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, "Unbelievable day and the 2 Out hit capped it off, he's been swinging the bat good for us", Girardi said.  It was earlier today that Girardi had decisions to make regarding whether or not to start Andruw Jones in game 2 against a lefty.  With Jones batting barely .200 and with only 9 hits in the last two-months, it was clear the Skipper would go to Ichiro.  In fact Ichiro Suzuki would pick up 7 hits today and go 7-8 in both games with an impressive 4 stolen bases in the second game, that would be his 3rd time in his career with 4 steals in a game.  After the game, media reporters asked him about his rising hot streak late in the season,  "I haven't done anything different today, i don't know what the difference was", a smiling and charismatic Ichiro with his translator remarked.  Ichiro added that all he had his mind on was to, "contribute and be a part of this pennant race and continue to do what i can to help this team".  Help the team he did, and Ichiro shined his old-self again.  His hot streak comes at a critical point in the season and certainly can benefit a Yankee offense that seems to go streaky at times.

     With the win, the Yankees win the second game of the day-night double header against the Blue Jays and the Yankees lead the Orioles by a game in the AL East.  The Orioles play the Seattle Mariners tonight.


B.C Sports,
Brian Chin

Yankees Get Past Rays - Stay Ahead in East - Sept 16, 2012

September 16, 2012

     Well winning is the name of the game, they took two out of three from the Red Sox at Fenway and now back home with a 6-4 victory, the Yankees take two out of three from the Tampa Rays.  The Yankees started out the day a game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East standings.  

     The Yankees sent their veteran Hiroki Kuroda to the mound.  Kuroda pitched 6 innings, gave up 4 runs and struck out 10.  The Yankee offense finally looked great hitting with runners in scoring position.  Jeter and A-Rod had RBIs and Russell Martin cranked a three-run homer (17th) to right to give the Yankees a 5-0 lead at that point.  The Rays came back to score 3 more in the 6th but Kuroda was able to get out of the jam and pick up his 14th win of the season.  The bullpen came on to finish the Rays in the final innings and Rafael Soriano recorded his 40th save of the season, the 5th Yankee to record 40 or more saves in a single season record.  

     With the win, the Yankees maintain a 1 game lead in the AL East over the Orioles who beat Oakland today.  These wins late in the season continue to play a crucial role in a Yankee postseason.  The Yankees with a day off tomorrow, welcome the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

B.C Sports,
Brian Chin

Giants Beat Buccaneers in Riveting Showdown - Sept 16, 2012

September 16, 2012

     The New York Giants looking to bounce back from their season opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys turned their attention to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Things did not start off too positive in the first half as Eli Manning committed three turnovers that all eventually led to touchdowns by the Bucks.  Probably the most highlighted interception came in the final minute of the second quarter when Eli Manning was picked off at the Tampa Bay 40 by Eric Wright who returned it for a 60 yard touchdown giving the Buccaneers a 24-13 lead over the Giants at the close of the first half.

     In the second half the Giants finally showed life.  Down 27-19 in the fourth quarter, Eli Manning turned it on as a 80 yard pass to Victor Cruz was good for the touchdown, and the two-point conversion by Andre Brown tied the game, 27-27.  Manning was not done, on the next drive, he fired a 33 yard completion to Martellus Bennett to put the Giants ahead 34-27.  However QB Josh Freeman and the Tampa offense were very much still alive as a 41 yard pass to Mike Williams down the other way was good to cuff it, 34-34.  The Giants offense proved resilient as they once again came down-field.  On 2nd & 1 near the goal line, Andre Brown rushed in the endzone to give the Giants a 41-34 lead at that point.  With the Buccaneers threatening, a call reversal on the field pushed Tampa's offense back, and a Giants interception finished it off for good.  The Giants came back and held on to defeat the Buccaneers 41-34.

     It was no question that it was certainly a team effort, and took a turn-around for Big Blue to make it happen.  Manning spoke about the change-of-face in the tale of two halves, "I got to make better decisions, we had missed opportunities, we know we were right there in the mix", "You get frustrated in the first half you're excited about the come back and you see it happen, of course you don't always want to be in that situation".  There was no doubt the second half simply could not reflect anything from the first two quarters and it did not.  Manning committed 3 interceptions and only threw 1 touchdown in the first half, and turned it around as he gave up 0 turnovers and threw for 2 key touchdowns in the second leading to the win.  Manning ended up with 510 yards today.  The touchdowns came and was also played in part from key contributions from Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Eli proud of his receivers remarked, "Victor and Hakeem both stepped up, made some big time plays, some big 3rd down completions", and Nicks did put up some great numbers, 199 yards with 10 catches including a 50 yard catch which advanced the Giants down-field in the final go-ahead drive.  

     The Giants defense which did not seem effective in the first two quarters only allowed a field goal and touchdown in the second half.  The leader Justin Tuck said that it was thinking and being "positive" that led them to key stops and contributions from especially rookie corner back Jayron Hosley who impressively had 5 tackles and later based it on, "preparation, watching videos, coming in here and being ready to go".  

   With this satisfying win, the Giants prevent the idea of going down 0-2 to start the season and even their record at 1-1.  The Giants play next week in Carolina against the Panthers.

B.C Sports,

Brian Chin

Yankees Take Rays Hold Half Game Lead in AL East - Sept 15, 2012

September 15, 2012

     What started out this morning with the Yankees tied in first place with the Orioles ended with a 5-3 win over the Tampa Rays.  With the Orioles keeping pace with the Yankees in the American League East, the Bombers were sure thrilled to have this one after a crucial loss yesterday.

     Rafael Soriano sealed his 39th save of the season and Ivan Nova returned from the DL and pitched his first game since injuring his shoulder back on August 21st.  He went 6 strong innings for his 12th win of the season.  Nova's return from the disabled list proved big for the Yankee win and more importantly for the concerned starting rotation.  

     Curtis Granderson and Eduardo Nunez powered the Yankee offense as they hit back to back homers in the 2nd inning.  For Granderson, that was his 39th homer of the season.  The Rays cut it close as Luke Scott's 2 run single in the 7th cut it to a one run lead.  The Yankees then tacked on another in the 8th inning to seal the victory. The Yankees now lead by half a game in the AL East Standings as Baltimore plays Oakland later on tonight.

B.C Sports,
Brian Chin

Yankees Beat Baltimore : Back in First - Sept 9, 2012

September 9, 2012

     They started their series in Baltimore with a one game lead atop the American League East.  It has been an intense and exhilarating series through the first three games against the Orioles at Camden Yards.  The Yankees dropped the first game to the hot bats of the O's, then bounced back with heavy offense in the second game, followed by a disappointing and frustrating loss yesterday that controversially should not have been a loss.  Having lost 9 of their last 13 games, the Yankees and Orioles were all tied up in first place in the East coming into today's game.  However, the Yankee offense finally came alive once more this afternoon as they shelled the Orioles 13-3 in the final game of a 4-game series.  Manager Joe Girardi and the Yankees knew how vital and essential it was to have this game and seal it.  Importantly it was win, even more importantly the Yankees maintain first and hold on to the top of the division.  

    With Freddy Garcia on the mound, the Yankees wasted no time in getting ahead. They took a 5-0 lead including a four-run 4th inning.  Garcia with three good innings runs into trouble in the bottom of the fourth giving up a 2-run double to Wilson Betemit.  Garcia would leave after 3.1 innings pitched, Joe Girardi would go to Joba Chamberlain and the bullpen to piece it together from there.  The Skipper was very pleased with his pitching staff, "It was an outstanding job by the bullpen, with Joba coming in".  Chamberlain pitched 1 2/3 innings shutting out the Os in his outing while fanning 4, allowing no hits and getting the win.  When asked about how he felt, Chamberlain said he felt great and remarked, "It was frustrating at first, but we worked on adjustments, and we got to build on the confidence and what we've done".  Cory Wade, Boone Logan, and Derek Lowe polished off the rest of the four innings for the win.

     On the other hand, give the Yankee offense much credit as they bombarded starting pitcher Zach Britton early and rang up the Orioles with 13 runs.  Curtis Granderson pinch-hitting in the 6th inning, right away crushes one to the opposite field, his 35th home run of the season.  Granderson went 3-3 with a home-run and 5 runs batted in.  Girardi was impressed at a slumping Granderson who definitely needed a performance from him like this one, "It would be great to get him going, he is so important to our offense".  And so it is especially with the New York Yankees trying to hold on to first place.  The Captain Derek Jeter responded to remarks about a comfortable and prominent lead in the division, "we don't have that luxury, we have to play each and every day".  Jeter also hit a 2-run home-run in the 8th inning and humorously added that there is no stress and the focus is going into Boston and playing every game.

Extra game notes:  Mark Teixeira is at this point likely questionable if indeed he will play again this season after re-injuring his calf in a dive to first base in yesterday's frustrating game that would have tied it and would have been a pivotal turning point for the Yankees.  Teixeira answered the media regarding questionable decisions of playing while not physically 100 percent."I had to test it out, I had to see where i was, Hopefully it is not worse than what we saw".  He also added that it was great to win this ballgame especially after a bad call made by the official in yesterday's loss.

   The Bombers leave Baltimore going 2-2 but maintain a one-game lead in the American League East.  With this win, the Yankees might go into Fenway with a little momentum against the Red Sox with a day off tomorrow.


B.C Sports,
Brian Chin

Yankees Regain First Place - Sept 5, 2012

   
September 5, 2012

     After dropping six of their last nine games, the Yankees rolled into the final game of the series in Tampa tied in first place with their division contenders the Baltimore Orioles.  Prior to that the Yankees have maintained first place for 87 consecutive days.  It was clear the Yankees needed a wake up call and with a team meeting before the game, they might have just gotten that kick in the engine.

     The Bronx Bombers had their 37 year old veteran Huroki Kuroda on the mound.  Things did not look good in the bottom of the first when Evan Longoria drove home the first run with an RBI single.  The Rays pitcher Matt Moore pretty much held the Yankees hitting down until the top of the fourth when finally the Yankees did what they could not do so often during the season, hit with runners in scoring position.  With runners on first and second, Alex Rodriguez ringed a double to left field which knotted the game at 1.  Then Russell Martin hit a ground rule double to right field scoring Robinson Cano and Rodriguez giving the Yankees a 3-1 lead.  The Yankees would surrender that lead and the Rays would tie it at 3.  Then in the top of the sixth, Russell Martin would come up to the plate and bomb one over the left center field wall putting the Yankees ahead 4-3.  At the bottom of the sixth however, Luke Scott would take one out off of Kuroda to re-knot the game at 4.  We then go to the top of the seventh and with a little help from Tampa's defensive miscues, with one out and Ichiro Suzuki and Steve Pearce at third and second, Derek Jeter's ground ball to second was mishandled by Elliot Johnson who committed a throwing error past the catcher scoring both Suzuki and Pearce.  This put the Yankees up 6-4 and at that point, Rafael Soriano came in for his 36th save of the season.  It was a much win by the Bronx Bombers.

     The Yankees were able to salvage the final game of the series in Tampa and with the Baltimore Oriloes losing to Toronto, the Bombers regain sole possession of first place.  Manager Joe Girardi and the Yankees might finally breathe some fresh air but nothing will get easier as they roll into Baltimore and play the next four against a hot Orioles team breathing right on them.

B.C Sports

Brian Chin