Walk-off Win and a Postseason Pie

The New York Yankees took a 2-0 series lead thanks to two dramatic long balls, one a two-run blast from Alex Rodriguez to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th and the other a wall-scraping solo shot to left off the bat of Mark Teixeira for the walk-off win. The new Yankee Stadium has become the "Home of the Walk-Off," Teixeira's home run marking the 16th victory to be earned in that fashion. And the Minnesota Twins have been victimized more than any team.

Both teams are en route to Minnesota, where the Twins face a do-or-die Game 3 and send Carl Pavano (of all people) to the mound to oppose Yankee veteran and playoff-pro Andy Pettitte on Sunday night.

Washed Away

After a two hour rain delay, the Yankees dropped the first game of their two-game set against the rival Red Sox.

Phil Hughes labored through four innings, allowing 3 earned runs, including a long homerun by Yankee-killer, Mike Lowell.


The Yankees fought back against Jon Lester, cutting the lead to 4-3 thanks to a two-run shot by Johnny Damon and a solo shot from Teixeira.


Alfredo Aceves, just called up, relieved Hughes and pitched very effectively. Unfortunately, he made one mistake, and it ended up being the Red Sox margin of victory. Jason Bay clanked a two-run shot off the left field foul pole in the 7th inning and the Red Sox took a 6-3 lead.

Mark Teixeira delivered a second solo homerun in the 8th, prompting Terry Francona to go to his closer for a rare 5-out save. Jonathan Papelbon came in and made things interesting, loading the bases in the bottom of the 9th before striking out Robinson Cano and securing the 6-4 Boston victory.

The Yankees are 0-4 against the Red Sox thus far. What is even more alarming is that Jorge Posada left the game with a tight hamstring. Last season provided the Yankees with their first bitter taste of life without Posada; let's hope this is just a minor setback and that Jorge will be back behind the plate within a few days.



Josh Beckett and Joba Chamberlain finish up the series tonight at the Stadium.

Welcome to the Big Leagues, Koji

New York Yankees 5
Baltimore Orioles 7

WP: Koji Uehara (1-0)
LP: Chien-Ming Wang (0-1)
HR: Derek Jeter (1), Nick Markakis (1)

From the Mound

- Chien-Ming Wang just did not have it Wednesday night. After giving up three consecutive doubles in the first, it was apparent that his sinker was not working. Once again, a Yankee starter failed to finish 5 innings or record a strikeout. This was Wang's first big league start since injuring his foot back in June.
- Between Sabathia and Wang, Yankee starters have allowed 8 walks and no strikeouts. Not an encouraging statistic.
- On the bright side, New York's bullpen was effective. Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Jose Veras combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
- For the O's, Koji Uehara, one-time teammate of Hideki Matsui with the Yomiuri Giants, went 5 innings and earned the victory in his Major League debut.

At the Plate

- Derek Jeter had a nice game at the plate, capped off by a ninth inning homerun that jump- started a late Yankees rally that came up just short. Through the season's first two games, the new leadoff man and Yankee Captain has gone 5-9 with a homerun, 2 RBI, and a stolen base.
- Robinson Cano went 2-4, delivering an RBI double in the sixth. He also stole a base and made a nice defensive play. It's certainly too early to make any definitive statements, but I think the Cano of '06 and '07 is back again for 2009.
- Mark Teixeira looked woeful at the plate once again, popping up three times to the infield and striking out in the 7th. He finally came through with his first hit of the season during the late ninth inning rally, providing an RBI double that scored Johnny Damon.
- After pinch-hitting for Cody Ransom and working a walk in the ninth, Nick Swisher is still batting 1.000.

A Look Ahead

The Yankees will look to A.J. Burnett to avoid a series sweep when he takes the hill at 1:35 Thursday afternoon at Camden Yards. The Orioles will send Alfredo Simon to the mound, looking to start the season 3-0.

Inauspicious Beginning

Opening Day 2009

New York Yankees 5
Baltimore Orioles 10

WP: Jeremy Guthrie (1-0)
LP: CC Sabathia (0-1)
HR: Jorge Posada (1), Hideki Matsui (1), Cesar Izturis (1)

From the Mound

- Sabathia had nothing working for him today. He really labored through 4+ innings, allowing 6 earned runs, and didn't strike at least one batter out in a start for the first time since 2005.
- Scary Stat: Five Yankee pitchers combined for more wild pitches than strikeouts today.
- Jonathan Albaladejo, the last pitcher named to the 25-man roster, was the only reliable man out of the pen today. Phil Coke was left in too long, Brian Bruney was channeling Kyle Farnsworth, and Damaso Marte was similarly ineffective.

At the Plate

- Derek Jeter had a nice day at the plate from the leadoff spot until he stepped up with a runner on third and less than two outs and failed to drive in what would have been the tying run.
- Johnny Damon was the only other Yankee with a multi-hit ballgame.
- Jorge Posada hit the first Yankee homerun of the season, a shot into the centerfield bullpen. Hideki Matsui followed suit in the 7th.
- Mark Teixeira, booed mercilessly throughout the ballgame, went 0-4 and stranded runners in the 1st, 3rd, 7th AND 8th innings.
- The best debut for a newly-acquired Yankee? Nick Swisher, who came up with a pinch-hit double in the 8th.

Around the Diamond

- Cody Ransom looked shaky at third, botching a potential double-play ball in the 5th that was generously (and inexplicably) scored a single.

A Look Ahead

The Yankees and Orioles will enjoy a day off on Tuesday, before Wednesday night's matchup, in which Chien-Ming Wang will take on Koji Uehara, the Japanese import making his Major League debut.