GAME 102: In the opening game of a pivotal divisional showdown series with Toronto, Ichiro Suzuki clubbed a 3-run homer — his first of the season — to cap off a 4-run bottom of the third. It overcame a 3-2 Blue Jays lead, and proved to be the game-winning blast.
Kuroda Gets Some Love
After a shaky first inning which included allowing a 3-run homer to Joey Bats on a 0-3 pitch, Yankees ace Hiroki Kuroda settled down to keep the potent Toronto lineup in check. The bullpen did it’s job after Kuroda was lifted after 5.2 inning. And for the first time in a blue moon, the Yankees’ offense backed up Kuroda with the bats.
Here’s box score and recap.
GAMEDAY NOTES: Gotta say — having Paul O’Neill in the broadcast booth is a pleasure. In this regard, Yankees fans are blessed. We have a mix of extraordinary color guys — all sportin’ Yankees rings, no less — from both pitching and hitting perspectives. They’re informative, funny, and an easy listen. My personal favorite combo in the recent era was Kenny Singleton and Jim Kaat, but there is no better pitching analyst today than David Cone. And no one I’ve heard is better than Paulie at breaking down at-bats from both hitter and pitcher angles.
ROSTER MOVES: Added: Left-hander pitcher Chris Capuano. DFA’d: Righty Chris Leroux.
POLICE BLOTTER: Former Yankees second-baseman Chuck Knoblauch, 46, was arrested in Houston after allegedly assaulting his ex-wife.
MEMORY LANE: On July 25th, 1961, Roger Maris hits four home runs, tying the American League record for a doubleheader (at least one in each game), as New York beats Chicago, 5-1, and 12-0. Mickey Mantle also homers off Frank Baumann in the first game. He ends the day with thirty-eight home runs to forty for Maris.
YANKEES QUOTES: “Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?” — Jim Bouton
