The Yankees (40-32) roughed up Derek Lowe in a pitching matchup of two veterans, and went on to take an 11-7 victory of the Braves (34-38). Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez all had huge nights in the 16-hit feasting of Atlanta pitchers to take the series.
Quick ‘Cap:
Jeter scored once in each of the first three innings as the Yankees scored six times in that span. They added two more in the fourth off Lowe when Cody Ransom doubled in the gap in left-center field. Ransom was n the starting lineup for the first time since April in place of Robinson Cano (wrist).
Andy Pettitte made it through the first three innings relatively unscathed, but the Braves dropped the hammer on him in the fourth. Four hits, a walk, a hit batter and a Brett Gardner error gave the Braves five runs and sent Pettitte out of the game.
Alfredo Aceves and Phil Coke held Atlanta’s offense in check from the fifth inning until the ninth, but David Robertson allowed an earned run in his second straight appearance. Mariano Rivera was brought in to shut the door in the ninth, and he did, for the 499th time of his hall-of-fame career. Full box score here.
Thoughts:
The game lasted 3 hours and 49 minutes, and 370 pitches were thrown between the two teams (if my mental math is correct). It looks like A-Rod and the Yankees offense are back in order as the team has scored 19 times and slugged 26 hits in the past two nights. A-Rod is 5-for-15 with eight RBI over the last four games.
Line of the Night:
Mark Teixeira: 0-for-5 with a walk. He scored a run on a double play, but that means no RBI. He was the only player in the starting lineup without a hit, besides Pettitte.
Up Next:
CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.71) is set to go against the Mets Friday night under the new lights of Citi Field. The Mets counter with Mike Pelfrey (5-2, 4.74).
