Following Thursday night’s disappointing loss to the Twins, the Yankees had two things to look forward to: They were coming back home, and Curtis Granderson would be back in the lineup. Their centerfielder had missed just about four weeks with a groin injury, and during that time they went an unspectacular 12-11. After Friday’s game, it sure looks like Granderson is a key part of the Yankee offense.
Swisher Puts The Yanks On Top
The last time the Yankees won a game, they won because Nick Swisher came through big time with a 9th inning homer in Minnesota. His shot wasn’t as dramatic on last night, but it served the same purpose.
It was only the 2nd inning, and Robbie Cano had just reach base thanks to a blown call by first base ump C.B. Bucknor (more on that later). Fausto Carmona, who’s rebounded well in 2010 after two horrid seasons, started him off with a fastball off the plate for ball one, and he probably wishes he did the same with the second pitch. Instead, he hung a sinker that Swish jumped all over, wrapping it around the rightfield foul pole for two runs that felt like 20 given how the team has been swinging the bat.
The score was much more lopsided at the end of the game, but that two run homer increased the Yanks chances of winning by 15%, a sizable mark that early in the game.
Welcome Back, Curtis
After all that time on the disabled list, Granderson returned Friday and instantly added some length to the Yankees’ lineup, not to mention some much needed lefthanded pop. He flew out in his first at-bat, but drew a five pitch walk next time up. After a grounder the third time up, Granderson took two swipes at bunting Derek Jeter over to second against a very tough lefty in the 7th, but when he couldn’t get it down he took a big cut at a 0-2 fastball right down the middle. The ball flew out to the right-center gap for a double, and reminded us all of what we were missing while Randy Winn and Kevin Russo and whoever else was playing the outfield during Granderson’s absence. He tacked on a hit by pitch to reach base three times in his return to the lineup.
The Goods
Phil Hughes was pretty darn good tonight following two stinkers, striking out eight guys and allowing just six baserunners (five hits and a walk) in seven innings of work. He threw 76 of his 109 pitches for strikes (69.7%), and got twice as many ground ball outs as fly outs. Oh, and he started the game by striking out the first five batters he faced. That was pretty cool.
Robbie Cano cooled off a bit earlier this month after his molten hot April, but he’s back in the swing of things now. He went 3-for-4 on Friday night, including his third career four-run homer which broke the game wide open late. Cano’s now hitting .390 in his last 14 games, and he’s hit safely in his last 11 contests.
How about Juan Miranda working a bases loaded four pitch walk? Sure, Carmona made it somewhat easy for him, but it’s not uncommon to see guys who were recently called up try to do too much and expand their zone in a spot like that. Also, how about Ramiro Pena’s 11-pitch at-bat with two men on two batters later? Even though he struck out, that’s great stuff from a guy swinging a a rolled up newspaper.
Mark Teixeira was kickin’ ass and takin’ names defensively in this game. He made several nice plays on balls that took weird hops or were right on top of him. That’s why he makes the big bucks.
The Yankees certainly benefited from some blown calls by Bucknor at first base in this one. Cano reached in the 2nd despite being obviously out, and then crossed the plate when Swisher homered one batter later. Fast forward to the 7th, and Jason Donald was called out despite beating Hughes to the bag. The next half-inning, Jeter was called safe at first on a questionable call, igniting a four run inning. I’m not complaining, I’ll take the ump screw-ups when they come. They tend to even out over the course of a season.
And finally, nice debut for Chad Moeller. Just missed a homer early in the game, but ripped a double in the 8th. Maybe Joe Girardi won’t be so hesitant to sit Frankie Cervelli once a week now.
The Bads
Really not much to complain about in this one. Miranda smoked a ball to dead center and had nothing to show for it but an out because Trevor Crowe made an absolutely amazing catch (video). It’s good that he crushed the ball, but damn. Back to the dugout he went.
The wave. It can burn in hell. Take that nonsense to CitiField.
WPA Graph & Box Score
MLB.com has the box score, FanGraphs the nerd score.
Up Next
Same two teams tomorrow afternoon in a 1:05pm ET start. CC Sabathia takes on his former team, who will throw young lefty David Huff.
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