The Yankees took the first two games of this series and are looking for their third series sweep of the season (vs. TEX, vs. BAL). The first game was tight until A-Rod decided to show up, belting a grand slam in the 7th with the Yankees down a run - IBB to Teixeira to pitch to Alex Rodriguez? Then bring in a guy who A-Rod is 4-6 with 3HR against? Gardy, bad idea!! The second game was won behind with pitching - Andy Pettitte gave them 6.1 innings of 2-hit ball in his first start in 10 days. A-Rod had another good game at the plate - in his last 10, he's hitting .378 (14-37) with 3 2B, 2 HR, and 11 RBI. Looks like he is starting to get hot. Teixeira hit an absolute bomb in the 7th inning, and he is starting to pick it up a little too - in his last 10, he's hitting .317 (13-41) with 2 2B, 5 HR, and 16 RBI. He's raised his average from .136 to .217 since we flipped the calendar to May. That's two big names stepping up for the Yankees, who are surprisingly only 6-4 in the past 10 games.
Blackburn has pitched against the Yankees before - most recently in last years playoffs. He pitched well enough to win (5.2 IP, 3H, 1R) but didn't. Overall, in 4 career starts vs. the Yankees, his numbers look like this: 16.1 IP, 21 H, 12 R (9 ER), good for a 4.96 ERA, almost a full run above his career ERA of 4.20. He seems to be struggling with his command a little this year - through 39.2 IP he's walked eleven batters and struck out only nine. He has never been a strikeout pitcher, but the most walks he's allowed was 41 last season (in 205.2 IP). Four starts vs. NYY? Seems like I hear his name every time they play one another. Weird.
Mitre has been throwing the ball fairly well this year - I mean he has HOF numbers compared to his career stats: 2010 - 3.86 ERA; Career - 5.50 ERA. The trick with him may be the bullpen. He can fool a few hitters at a time, but starting hasn't panned out for him. I think it's a good idea once the rotation gets back in order, but in the long run, he'll be a bullpen guy. And for some reason, I like Sergio Mitre, I hope he does well. Don't ask why, I don't have any ties to Mexico or any of the other teams he's played for.
Game's on at 1:05pm, I will more than likely not watch, gonna be in the city for brunch. May be able to catch the tail end of what will hopefully be the 14th straight win over the Twins. The Twins are up a game and a half on the Tigers, who are hosting the Red Sox. They pulled it out last night on the always exciting two out, walk-off walk to Ramón Santiago, a career .245 hitter. Poor Red Sox, can't close games out with their bullpen. What a shame.
Time to take Nathan out - he's slept all night, woke up at 5:45am, and is sleeping again. The life of a dog is one I'll never understand.
