Bitter Bronx Baseball Backdrop

It was a bitter night for baseball in the Bronx when the Bombers and Los Angeles Angels suited up for game one of the ALDS. There would be no frozen ropes during this tough test. Instead, pitching and defense ruled the evening. The operative word of the chilly night was “ace”. New York left-hander, C.C. Sabathia was every bit a poised pitcher the Yankees hoped he’d be in the playoffs when they signed him to a record deal last Spring. The southpaw fired eight superb innings of one-run ball, and was backed by Bomber bats. The night belonged to the home team and the Yankees played ordinary October baseball reminiscent of the late 90’s. The Angels were sloppy on the cold New York grass and mustered just four hits at the plate. If the Bombers were characteristic of their elegant baseball style, the Angels were anything but. Anaheim committed three crucial, uncharacteristic errors in the field. The result: a 4-1 win for New York in the ALDS opener.
Sabathia was a workhorse as he mowed through the Angels order, setting down seven via the strikeout. He walked his first batter in the post-season, his only of the night. The big lefty went to a three-balls count just two other times throughout the four-hit affair. C.C. produced loud roars from the hometown fans who endured the blistery weather and frigid temperatures. Sabathia chants were heard throughout the stadium, even more pronounced than those meant for Mariano Rivera. The Hall-of-Fame closer came in to pitch a hitless ninth inning and lock down his record 36th post-season save. The victory was too familiar for Bronx backers with hopes of a return to the glory days, and the Fall Classic. Solid pitching afforded the offense an opportunity to build on a lead. Bomber captain, Derek Jeter, set the tone in the bottom of the first with a leadoff opposite-field single. Third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, continued his playoff success in the first inning for New York. Rodriguez ‘s sacrifice fly off Angels’ starter, John Lackey, gave the Yankees an early edge. It was ARod’s seventh RBI of the post-season. Johnny Damon went 2-for-5 Friday and scored on a Hideki Matsui bloop pop fly in the first inning. Any Little-leaguer would have made the play, but outfielder Eric Aybar and third baseman, Chone Figgins, experienced a miscommunication. Damon was able to advance a base on Juan Rivera’s error, the first of an atypical three by Anaheim.
The Yankees lead by two runs until the fourth inning. Sabathia gave up his only run on Kendry Morales’ single. Lackey hurled 5 2/3 innings and scattered nine hits, while walking three. Matsui got the better of Lackey again in the fifth. The DH posted a double to centerfield to score Damon. New York increased their lead to 4-1 the next frame. Melky Cabrera has struggled at the plate so far this post-season. Last night, he drew a bases loaded walk in the sixth and reached second on Lackey’s throwing error trying to pick the outfielder off first. Melky scored on Jeter’s single to center. Jeter plowed into second base on the play courtesy of the usually sure-handed eight-time Gold Glover, Torii Hunter’s error. Lackey’s night ended on his team’s error-prone aberration.
Jason Bulger replaced Lackey on the hill for the Angels. He did not allow a hit, but threw a wild pitch and walked two of the seven Yankees he faced. Meanwhile, the Bombers’ ace continued to toss strikes and stump the opposition, drawing ire from the frustrated Angels’ dugout. Visiting Manager, Mike Scioscia, suggested the crowd was a factor last night. Perhaps C.C’s greatest moment was fanning pinch-hit power catcher, Mike Napoli to end the seventh. The Angels must have been equally upset with the way they played and how they just couldn’t figure out how to hit Sabathia. The Anaheim defense contributed as much to the Yankee win as Sabathia’s sure-proof pitching arm.
Rain is in the forecast for tonight when career 100 game-winner, A.J. Burnett, faces Joe Saunders, winner of 48 regular season games. The stakes are high and the shivering temperature will surely speak volumes about series. Barring any postponement, the Yankees are in a great position with their scheduled pitching plan. Any shift in the slated rotation may throw the Bombers off balance and give the Angels a chance to catch their frosty breath.

Parting Points: “The first cut is the deepest”- Sheryl Crowe