Yes, I was at this game as well as Game 1, and the crowd had a different feel as well. Game 1 crowd was a million times better than Game 2 but I think there were a few reasons for that. One, there are a lot of cowards out there who get scared off by rain even if its a saturday night and its Game 2 of the ALCS. Another reason was that in Game 1 I was sitting in the Bleachers, a much rowdier atmosphere than the rest of the stadium. Game 2 was also probably the coldiest baseball game I have ever been to, even colder than Game 1. Despite what Fatcessa says, I didnt think Game 1 was that cold, Game 2 on the other hand was FREEZING, in fact it actually snowed for an inning or two. Here are my notes from Game 2.
- A.J pitched an A.J type game, 6 1/3 3 hits 2 runs 5 k's. He hit a bunch of guys in key situations, especially that 5th inning, and it came back to bit him until the 13th. I did not like the A.J/ Molina battery on saturday, but its better than A.J/Posada so I cant complain. A.J is a headcase and you have to know what you get with him, so if Molina goes out to the mound every pitch than fine, it just sucks being out in the freezing cold and having Molina come out after every pitch. Joe Saunders pitched very well, and if your a Yankee fan you almost expected not to score off of him in this game. A crafty lefty who throws hard but not overpowering stuff in this type of weather, would shut us down, and thats exactly what he did. Aside from Cano's triple and Jeter's Yankee Stadium Home Run, Saunders was dominating, allowing only singles as he cruised to the 7th. He would be a tough matchup in Game 6 if it gets there.
- Robbie Cano. Yes the weather was bad, and yes the infield sucked, but if there is one thing you cannot do, it is making an error in the postseason, ESPECIALLY vs the Angels. Well, he made two, and that is why I almost had a heart attack. I never liked Cano, I thought he is what he is, a guy much like Abreu who puts up numbers but when it really counts will lay an egg (Abreu is 0-9 in the series by the way for people who wanted him back). Cano proved my theory int he field and left a million guys on base, though his RBI triple in the 2nd was absolutly HUGE. Now, a guy who is shot is Vlad Guerrero. I guess the loss of Roids really did him in, because he left 8 guys on base 1-7 ON THE DAY and left the bases loaded twice. WOW. THe knock on him is that he is not clutch, and he came up big vs the Red Sox in the ALDS but he is coming up flat again.
- What more can you say about A-Rod at this point I am at a loss for words. He is becoming David Ortiz and Derek Jeter rolled into one in a big spot. The Yankees were not winning if he doesnt hit a Home Run or a double. Guzman and Gardner were due up after and if A-Rod get out its over. Not only does he get on base he hits a Home Run. AGAIN. This is the third HUGE home run A-Rod has hit this postseason and I dont see it coming to an end anytime soon. Through the rain as well, just so big. A-Rod is really doing the eff-you to all of his critics this postseason.
- Girardi really did everything in his power to lose this game for the Yankees. The move of Gardner pinch running for Swisher in the 7th was ABYSMAL, you do not pinch run for your 6th hitter in the 7th inning. He did not even attempt to steal and Cano hit into a DP. Girardi made matters worse when he pinch ran for Matsui with Freddy Guzman and made the 6th and 7th hitters Guzman and Gardner. Not to mention the AWFUL micro managing he did using not 1 not 2 not 3 but 8 PITCHERS!! For a second I thought Whitey Ford was going to come in. Listen, it worked out, and has this whole year for the most part and so far for the playoffs, but it will come back and bit us in the ass, either now or the World Series. Mark my words, Girardi is asking for trouble when he takes a pitcher out after one batter, and it has got to stop.
- The more I thought about it, this might have been the worst played exciting game I have seen. Neither team could hit, the crowd was dead half the game, and the weather was disgusting. There were errors all the way around, bad base running plays, pitching changes left and right, yet the game saw A-Rod tie the game in the 11th with a Home Run and Macier Izturis' error when it for the Yankees in the bottom of the 13th. Good for Jerry Hairston. I am very impressed with a guy who has not had an at bat in about 2 1/2 weeks and he comes up with a base hit up the middle. Fantastic job. I also did not realize that this game might still be going if Figgins did not bobble the ball and allowed Hairston to score easily.
- Last thing because I have to go to class, Tex better step up his game or he is going to hear boos rather quickly. Yea, I know we have won 5 playoff games in a row, but going to L.A is not going to be easy and scares the hell out of me. Tex better get it going because he and Cano are the the goat of this series so far.
-Lew
i took your remote
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