GAME 114: All of the yakkin’ before this series began was about the Cy Young Tigers rotation. Probably the last pitcher considered in the four match ups was Shane Greene. And Greene drew the short straw, facing Rick Porcello, arguably the best of the best of the best rotation in MLB.
It looked bleak for the Yankees, who could not afford another stretch of 1-run losses or mediocrity in general. The timing could not have been worse. But ultimately you have to play the games. And play the Yanks did. Thanks to Greene, their 1-0 win today sealed a 3-1 series victory over the AL Central-leading Tigers, and it was this close to a series sweep.
Greene Gem Fuels Pitching Surge
While the offense was understandably held to a minimum by Detroit pitching, it only failed to eek out enough runs for staff ace Hiroki Kuroda (go figga) in game two. Brandon McCarthy, Chris Capuano, and Shane Greene were lights out against the formidable Detroit lineup. Granted, Tiger hitting has been slumping lately — but — New York pitching kept them there. That’s the important thing to take away from this series. Slump or no slump, Yankee pitching held the Tigers to 6 runs over 4 games — and 4 of them came in one game. And that’s that.
Drew Bloop All Greene Needed
Stephen Drew, another Brian Cashman deal before the deadline, came though once again — this time by virtue of a looping grounds rule double down the left field line that plated Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 4th for the game’s only run. Greene and the bullpen made it stand up from there. Greene took it to the top of the 9th, and after allowing a leadoff single to Ian Kinsler, was lifted for closer David Robertson — but not without some drama. Robertson walked Victor Martinez, but got pinch-hitter Miguel Cabrera to hit into a double play, then induced a Don Kelly pop up to short to end the game. Far more drama than expressed here in these few sentences.
Here’s the box score and recap.
MEMORY LANE: On August 7th, 1982, the Texas Rangers traded Lee Mazzilli to the Yankees for Bucky Dent.
One Year Ago Today: The injury-ridden 57-56 Yankees were 11.5 games out, in 4th place behind the run-away Red Sox, Toronto and Baltimore, respectively.
