Pregame chatter
Cleveland Indians (16-17) at Yankees (17-18), 1:05 p.m.
Starters: Paul Byrd (1-2, 3.74) for the Indians and Mike Mussina (4-3, 4.23) for the Yankees.
Broom and doom: The Indians go for their first three-game sweep of the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in over 19 years in the series finale this afternoon.
Last starts: Byrd got a no-decision, scattering four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings in his team's 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners last Thursday. Mussina has won his last three starts, including a win over Seattle last Saturday. He allowed a run and seven hits in six innings against the Mariners.
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Top of 1st: Grady Sizemore starts the game with a single to right. Jamey Carroll grounded into a fielder's choice (Sizemore was out at second). David Dellucci flied out to centerfield. What is Dellucci doing batting third and DHing? Jhonny Peralta struck out. Good comeback by Mussina.
Bottom of 1st: 1-2-3 inning for Paul Byrd.
Top of 2nd: Mussina counters with his own 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom of 2nd: First hit of the day for the Yankees, a single to left center by Hideki Matsui. Matsui's hitting streak is now at 17 games. But no damage. Jason Giambi flied out and Melky Cabrera grounded into a double play on a hit-and-run attempt.
Top of 3rd: Another 1-2-3 inning for Mussina. And he's only thrown 37 pitches through three innings.
Bottom of 3rd: We've got a semi-pitcher's duel going here. Byrd retires the Yankees in order.
Top of 4th: After giving up the leadoff single to Sizemore, Mussina has now retired 12 straight. Seven outs have been on groundballs.
Bottom of 4th: Johnny Damon homers to right to put the Yankees on the board. Matsui is still hot at the plate and got his second hit of the afternoon. Jason Giambi cranks his first homer at the Stadium since last August -- a two-run shot -- and the Yankees get to Byrd and post a three spot. Yankees 3, Indians 0.
Top of 5th: Well, that was a quick. Casey Blake's big RBI double (he went to third on the throw home) chased home two runs. Bobby Abreu couldn't come up with Blake's hit as it glanced off his glove a few steps before the wall in right. Blake scored on a RBI single through the hole at shortstop and third to tie the game. Yankees 3, Indians 3.
Bottom of 5th: Robinson Cano's leadoff double leads to a run. After a productive sacrifice fly to center by Wilson Betemit moved him to third and Jose Molina failed to get him in, Damon picked Molina up with a double to left to put the Yankees back on top. Yankees 4, Indians 3.
Top of 6th: Ross Ohlendorf is in to relieve Mussina and he tossed a 1-2-3 inning to keep the Tribe at bay a half inning after the Yankees regained the lead.
Bottom of 6th: Yankees go down quietly and we move to the seventh.
Top of 7th: Another scoreless inning by Ohlendorf. He's looked solid today and has allowed only one hit in two innings of work.
Bottom of 7th: Byrd came out for the seventh, but got pulled after Cano smashed a solo shot into the seats in right. He's stroking the ball well today. Betemit joined the HR party with a deep shot to center and the Yankees' offense is in gear. Yankees 6, Indians 3.
Top of 8th: Joba Chamberlain shook off his last outing and pitched a relatively easy scoreless inning of relief. He even got the guy who homered off of him Tuesday, David Dellucci, swinging.
Bottom of 8th: Matsui lines into a double play with Abreu running to end the eighth and the Yankees will have to settle for a three-run lead going into the ninth. "Enter Sandman" is playing so you know what that means.
Top of 9th: Mariano Rivera collects save No. 9 and the Yankees salvage the final game of this three-game series with the Tribe. Time for them to hit the road for a seven-game road trip that will take them to Detroit and Tampa and time for me to go to the clubhouse for some postgame thoughts. Final: Yankees 6, Indians 3.
Comments (2)
DRU: I left before I saw your comment about Coke. I didn't see the game he pitched, but I've seen him pitch. He finally had a really good game. I've been waiting for him to have one all year. He's had some good games, but nothing that turned your head. It's a shame they had to call that game early though (so it wasn't a "true" complete game) because from what I read and some others I've talked to, they thought he could've gone 9.
Those that are interested in knowing pitch counts, the speed of the pitch thrown, the type and a look at the location, MLB Gameday is free and a great resource. It's generally accepted as the most accurate radar reading available.