Replay? Naaaaaah, ALDS Game One: Yankees 6 Twins 4

Well, this one certainly had the feel of a playoff game.

Francisco Liriano shut down the Yankees over his first 5 frames holding on to an early 3 run lead until the top of the 6th when he began to tire.  Teixeira had a one-out double and then the Yankees started to string together some hits and walks leading to Curtis Granderson's 2-out 2-rbi triple giving the Yankees a 4-3 lead.    

Mark Teixeira (right) celebrating after his clutch 7th inning
"Teix Message"

In the bottom of the 6th, now with a lead, CC Sabathia then mimicked Liriano and began to tire, eventually walking Danny Valencia in for the tying 4th run with the bases loaded.  Sabathia then struck out JJ Hardy with the bases still loaded to end the 6th.  On a single game basis leaving in Sabathia to face Hardy is not a questionable decision.  But, in a short series, one in which the Yankees are relying on Sabathia to pitch on short rest, it would, as Michael Kay likes to say, behoove the Yankees to give him the hook.  This may be all nitpicking as the Yankees did win the big game but it's not like the Yankees are short on bullpen arms- Joba Chamberlain wasn't even used-- the Yankees could have kept Sabathia a little more fresh for his potential game 4 start (he threw 111 pitches and seemed pretty gassed) and still have won the game.

Tied 4-4 in the 7th, the game became a battle of the bullpens, a matchup that favors the Yankees and the Yankees did not disappoint. Mark Teixeira hit a 2-run home run off Jesse Crain giving the Yankees a 6-4 lead.  Boone Logan and Dave Robertson pitched the 7th.  Kerry Wood came on in the 8th and Girardi pulled the 'ole Torre bringing in Mariano Rivera for an extended save, the nth of his playoff career.  With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out in the bottom of the 8th, Mo got Span to ground out to end the inning.  In the bottom of the 9th, Rivera should have had a quick 1-2-3 if not for a blown call by the umps.  On a fly ball to right field with 2 outs in the 9th the ump called that Golson "trapped' it, even though replay illustrated it was clearly a catch.  No matter though as Rivera got Thome to end the inning and the game. 

I say no matter because Mo did get Thome out, but what if he didn't?  What if Jim Thome hit a home run off Rivera, tying the game and possibly completely changing the series?  Would MLB change the rules of replay? MLB should be ahead of the curve with instituting replay, rather than waiting to react to a disaster, which is seemingly what they are doing right now. 

ANYWAYS, this was a really big game for the Yankees to say the least.  The Twins had the pitching and home field advantage in this series and this win basically negates that.  The Yankees will look to continue their dominance over the Twins tonight when Andy Pettitte faces off against Carl "Mario" Pavano. Luckily this one starts at 6:07 Eastern, so we can all get (some) sleep tonight.  

For a more in-depth recap of the game check out River Ave Blues and It's About the Money