Yanks Use Something Old and Something New Beat the Twins

"It was an odd feeling game because there was no flow. Posada looked lost at times behind the plate. But they won and a few guys who needed to do well, did well" - My dad's postgame summary

I couldn't have said it any better myself. It was an odd feeling game, especially on the defensive side. There was very little rhythm between CC Sabathia and Jorge Posada including two passed balls, one wild pitch, and a handful of mound meetings. But they both got through it, especially CC who went 6 2/3, only allowed one earned run, struck out 8 and didn't walk a batter (though he did hit one). Most importantly, he earned a big game one win.

It was also a big game for Alex Rodriguez. He had gone 0-for-29 in the postseason with runners on base dating to Game 4 of the 2004 AL Championship Series, leaving 37 men on base, before he got one of two hits with runners in scoring position, chasing Brian Duensing. This was certainly a good way to get the monkey off A-Rod's back early in the postseason (with Kate Hudson and Jay-Z looking on).

But while new guys chipped in, so did the old guard as well. Derek Jeter got the Yankees on the board after they (surprise) struggled against Duensing. His home run was classic Jeter (we saw this classically in 2000 when he hit a big lead-off home run against the Mets). Jeter was loose in the dugout (we saw him laughing it up with his teammates after Matsui's home runs), he was loose on the field (the cameras caught him joking around with A-Rod after Rodriguez caught a windy pop-up), and he just looks like he's relaxed and having fun.

Hideki Matsui also chipped in with a huge two-run home run to center off Francisco Liriano. I know that he can't play the field and that he can't run and that the Yankees are most probably going to let Matsui go after the season is over...but this guy has been a huge asset to them for 6 years now and he will be sorely missed in big situations.

Lastly, the Yankees decided to get a few people some bullpen worked and they all looked great. Phil Hughes got a big strikeout of the very pesky Yankee-killer, Orlando Cabrera. Phil Coke got out his one lefty on one pitch and Joba got an out on two pitches. They then turned the ball over to Rivera who ended it just like he has many a Yankees postseason win.

The only time that CC Sabathia faced the Twins this season, Brian Duensing pitched and the Yankees slugged their way to victory. Tonight, like July 7th, the same formula equalled a 1-0 Yankees lead in the best-of-5 series. I will be there in person on Friday night as the Yankees try to go 2-0 in an ALDS for the first time since 1999 vs. Texas. But much, much more to come on NYaT before then so stay tuned!