Straight A's

After a weak end to the first half of the season, the Yankees took care of business this weekend to start off the second half on the right foot. They swept the Oakland A's! In Friday night's game, their bats came alive in a 7-1 rout. Mussina also pitched a great game to continue his amazing comeback. It was also the debut of 1st baseman Richie Sexson. It wasn't a bad night for the new guy as he had a hit and his first RBI in pinstripes.

Saturday's game was a 5-hour marathon. I had a feeling that the offense would be weak after the outburst on Friday... a typical Yankees pattern. The pitching was great behind Joba Chamberlain. Rivera actually blew the tie in the 9th inning, but was bailed out because Betemit had an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to force extra innings. Of all things, the Yankees won the game in the 12th on a beanball to Molina with the bases loaded! That was a heartbreaker for the A's. If I was going to lose a game, I'd want to lose it on a hit or homer.

Today's game was a pitcher's duel with Andy Pettitte facing off against the A's best, Duchscherer. So in contrast to yesterday's marathon, this was a short game. There was one circus play at the end of the 9th inning with 1 out. The A's had a guy on 1st. A fly ball was hit to right field. Abreu lost it in the sun and dropped it. The guy on first was retreating, but ran to 2nd when the ball was dropped. Abreu in haste threw the ball over Jeter's head, but it was caught by A-Rod and then went back to Jeter and they got the force at 2nd! I would prefer to see a blow out, but winning games like this are important too. It prepares the team for pressure situations.