The Yankees hung on to a 3-2 victory over the Angels yesterday, giving them their first series win in Anaheim since 1994.
Here are some other important notes from the win:
- Ian Kennedy made his season debut, pitching the eighth inning with a one-run lead. With nobody else available in the bullpen, he walked two and hit one to load the bases. Fortunately, he induced a pop up from Erick Aybar to escape the jam.
- Jerry Hairston Jr. felt a pop in his left wrist in his fifth-inning at bat. He will undergo an MRI today, which will most likely determine whether he is a go for the playoffs or not.
- A.J. Burnett struck out 11 in 5-1/3 innings pitched. That’s his second-highest total for a game this season, and third time striking out 10 or more. CC Sabathia has two more strikeouts than Burnett for the season, but has one more start under his belt.
- Joe Girardi pulled off his typical using-three-different-pitchers-in-one-inning strategy in the seventh, and it paid off. Damaso Marte allowed a single, and then got Bobby Abreu to ground into a double play. Jon Albaladejo replaced him, allowed a double and was replaced by Phil Coke. Coke struck out Kendry Morales.
- Freddy Guzman, a September call-up for the Yankees, showed off his speed by swiping second base in the eighth inning. He didn’t score, but he showed the Yanks what he can do. I posted earlier this month about Brett Gardner equaling Dave Roberts. Well, Guzman might equal Roberts too.
