ARod Angels Assassin

I normally refrain from posting about the same subject two days in a row. When I finally retired to bed at 1:11am this morning, I realized I would be making an exception. The New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 in an excruciating 13 inning epic saga. The game featured blown umpire calls, plenty of missed opportunities for both teams and soaking rain in the extra session. If I had to guess, this was one of the most difficult losses the Angels have ever endured in the playoffs. I’d love to hear from L.A. fans who argue otherwise. The AL West champions were, for the second consecutive night, their own worst enemy. They couldn’t buy themselves a new life in this seven game series. Alex Rodriguez had a lot to do with their defeat, but the game was there for their taking. Rodriguez creamed a game tying homerun in the bottom of the 11th. ARod’s blast wasn’t as dramatic or surprising as Aaron Boone’s game-winner against the Red Sox, but it was just as massive, considering the Bombers needed at least a run to stay in the game. The situation could not have been scripted more perfectly by Hollywood.
Baseball is a game that defies logic. Bench player, Jerry Hairston, Jr. wasn’t supposed to score the deciding run. Angels infielder, Maicer Izturis should have easily made a routine ground out, but errantly threw wide to first base. The classic battle of Game two ended on a miscue. But I guess this is why we have the post-season. Any minor mistake can cost a team a game. Every intangible setback creates a tangible opportunity for the other club. How ironic it was Izturis who reached base safely in the eighth on a Derek Jeter error. I guess maybe it does make sense to have Hairston as the hero. The utility man has been in the game 12 seasons without being a part of playoff magic. It is the role players that sometimes define October. Hairston didn’t see a pitch until game two was already five hours old. He did his job by starting a rally as the leadoff hitter in the 13th frame. By the time Hairston touched the plate again, outfield slugger Melky Cabrera was celebrating a pass Izturis misfired. The little-known Yankee acquired from Cincinnati at the trade deadline was no longer an after-thought. He definitely would still be one if not for his clutch-clubbing teammate, Rodriguez.
New York is accustomed from getting contributions from the entire lineup. You can’t deny it was ARod carrying the team on his back last night. Even with the L.A. blunders, New York would not be up two games without their All-star third baseman. The Bombers stranded 12 runners on base. It was still better than the 16 Los Angeles left hanging. The Halos committed two errors. The Yankees weren’t flawless in the field on this October night either. Robinson Cano struggled on both sides of the ball, even with an RBI triple. The stud second baseman couldn’t capitalize on a 7th inning opportunity at the dish. Speedy pinch-runner, Freddie Guzman, was inserted into the game to score from third base when Cano dug in to hit. The .207 batter with runners in scoring position this post-season, Cano hit a weak dribbler to the catcher to end the threat. Cano was charged with an error in the soggy top of the 13th on Eric Aybar’s roller to second. It was a déjà vu scenario for the Bomber, who slipped up in the seventh via the same hitter. Chone Figgins’ sixth inning gaffe allowed Mark Teixeira on base. Figgins made up for his fielding at the plate with the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th. Both Teixeira and Figgins are straining with the sticks this series. Figgins snapped an 0-for-19 post-season hitless streak dating back to 2008 with one swing. Figgins’ RBI single also broke a 2-2 tie.
Mariano Rivera threw 2 1/3 shutout frames, and the Yankees utilized all but one of their relievers in the 13 inning contest. The Bomber bullpen was mighty effective until The Angels closer, Brian Fuentes, failed to protect his team’s lead in the bottom of the 11th. Soft-throwing, but accurate Fuentes, served up the game-tying launch to Rodriguez to even the score at 3-3. The Bomber bullpen was mighty effective until Alfredo Aceves walked Gary Matthews, Jr. to lead off the 11th. They say never walk to leadoff hitter. This time, the Angels made Aceves and the Yankees pay for it. David Robertson continued to impress on the mound in New York relief. He earned the win after appearing in what probably seemed like the longest night of his career. It was even longer for Ervin Santana and the Angels. Santana took the loss for L.A. in what was the longest ever post-season game in franchise history. The Angels managed just eight hits and didn’t do much with runners-in-scoring position. They did present some imposing relief pitching. It was a wasted effort in the end. Their perilous closer crumbled and cost them dearly after a solid showing. The stout pair of Kevin Jepsen and former Yankee, Darren Oliver tossed a combined three scoreless frames. They were matched by the trio from New York, Phil Hugues, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Coke. Both starting pitchers fared well also. Lefty, Joe Saunders, lasted seven innings, allowing six hits. He surrendered two runs and was surrounded by screaming pinstripe-fans when Jeter took him deep in the third. Yankee starter, A.J. Burnett, was knocked out after 6 1/3 innings. The righty yielded a stellar three hits and two runs. Burnett toyed with wildness again, however. His wild pitch to Vladimir Guerrero allowed Aybar to score the tying run.
The Angels and Yankees play again on Monday. Los Angeles could see their season end Tuesday if the Bombers have their way in California. Unless the Angels go back to their baseball basics, they won’t survive the more powerful visiting team from New York. It’s not enough to play lackadaisical and limp against the AL’s finest offense. They cannot afford to let a dialed-in Rodriguez beat them, and it seems eminently palpable the three-time MVP arrived prepared to play this post-season.

Parting points: Song spinning on my stereo- “I Will Buy You a New Life”- Everclear
It's time for the New York Giants to prove themselves down in New Orleans today.