Despite a four RBI day for Mark Teixeira, the Indians (22-30) held off the Yankees’ (21-29) late comeback and went on to win 5-4. Jhonny Peralta delivered the walk-off blow in the ninth for his third RBI of the game.
Quick ‘Cap:
Phil Hughes was unhittable in the first two innings, but then imploded in the third. Peralta came through with a two-run single with the bases loaded, and then Mark DeRosa’s sac-fly made it 3-0. Another sac-fly for the Indians in the fifth made it 4-0.
Carl Pavano scattered three hits to his former team through the first five innings. In the sixth, Teixeira crushed a changeup for a two-run homer, but it should have been a three-run homer if Derek Jeter wasn’t called out on a play at first that he was clearly safe on.
Chien-Ming Wang came into the game in the sixth and pitched great once again. His sinker really looked tough to hit, and the Indians could only manage three groundball singles over three innings.
After Teixeira tied the game up in the eighth with a two-run double, the Yanks wasted a chance to win the game in the ninth. With first and third, one out, Posada grounded into an inning-ending double play. The Indians made Posada pay in the ninth when Peralta singled in the game-winning run off David Robertson. Full box score here.
Thoughts:
Bottom line, Posada choked. If he comes through, Mariano Rivera comes into the game and the Yanks have their fourth straight win.
Even though he didn’t earn the W, perhaps this was Pavano’s way of getting back at all the Yankees fans berating him. Opposing starter Phil Hughes had a good fastball, but had no control with his secondary pitches. I wonder if Wang and Hughes flip-flop next time around in the rotation – at least that’s what I’d do.
Noteworthy Performances:
- Teixeira was the Yankees offense today. He drove in all four runs for them, what a May he had!
- Wang turned in three shutout innings, lowering his ERA to 16.07 (nice…). We’ll see if he is awarded for it.
Up Next:
The Yanks still have a chance to take the series in game 4 Monday night. Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.97) will face lefty Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71).
