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
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