Now That’s More Like It

Yanks 5-1 win over Athletics most complete game in ages




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
April 29, 2004


Finally! Finally! Finally! The Yankees put together the most all around, complete game of the season. Sterling plays, timely hitting and good pitching all played a part in the Yankees 5-1 victory over the visiting Oakland Athletics. Let’s review some good news for a change.

After the Yankees dramatic come-from-behind 10-8 victory on Tuesday against these same Athletics one had to wonder if the Bombers fired all their offensive bullets in that game. After getting swept by their most notorious rivals, the Boston Red Sox, the outlook wasn’t much better with the Athletics coming to town. Let’s face it. The A’s have the triumvirate of pitching in Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson. However, the Yankees, who have rolled over lately like your pet dog, sucked it up and willed away Tuesday’s win from the A’s, chasing Tim Hudson in the process.

The Yankees gave Mike Mussina a 4-1 lead only to see the Moose give it right back by surrendering 4 runs and falling behind 5-4 after 6 innings. Things didn’t get any better as the Yanks gave up 4 more runs by the middle of the 8th inning to fall behind 8-4. For most of us who’ve watched the Yankees lately that should have been more than enough runs for Oakland to have the Bombers waving the white flag. For once it wasn’t to be.

Suddenly, in the bottom of the frame the offense came alive. Starting with Bernie Williams and ending with Alex Rodriguez the Yankees pounded out 5 hits, 2 walks and an RBI ground out to go ahead of the Athletics 10-8. This was something the Yankee faithful hadn’t seen in a while. The Yankees flexed their muscles and beat a team with their bats.

Wednesday night the Yankees went back to work, this time against Mark Mulder. His opponent was Jose Contreras. This is the same Contreras, who in each of his previous starts, has been unable to get out of the 4th inning. Contreras entered the game sporting a whopping 10.64 ERA.

However, thanks to a pre-game pumping up by Jorge Posada Contreras held together and pitched 6 badly needed innings. He only gave up one run on 4 hits, while striking out four and walking one. He lowered his ERA to 7.41 with the effort. The bullpen made Contreras’ effort stand up by shutting down the Oakland offense the rest of the way.

The Yankees didn’t stop there. Two terrific plays stopped the Athletics dead in their tracks. The first was an awesome play made by first baseman Jason Giambi. With a man on and two out Eric Chavez sent a laser shot to the right side of the infield. Giambi, who is not known for his glove work, flashed some leather on this play and snagged Chavez’s offering to end the inning. It was an instinct play and Jason was up to the task. If the ball gets by him, and a run scores and the Athletics are still in business.

The second play may have been even more athletic. With a man on first Tom Gordon, who was pitching, got a bouncer hit back to him. He wheeled and fired toward second base where Derek Jeter was setting up to turn a double play. However, Gordon’s throw went wide of the bag and Jeter had to go down and get it. He grabbed the ball on the right side of the bag and as his momentum carried him past second base he dragged his right toe across the back of the bag and threw to first. The outstanding effort completed a double play to end the inning.

The Yankees’ bats came alive too. Jason Giambi went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI, Gary Sheffield went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Jorge Posada went 2 for 3 with his league leading 8th home run and an RBI. Jorge now has 20 Ribbies, which is good for second in the AL.

Not all the news was good, however. Derek Jeter in the midst of his career worst slump, continued to struggle as he went 0 for 4, with a walk. He has now gone 0 for 32 during this stretch. The fans tried to ignite the captain with chants of, “Let’s go Jeter.” It didn’t do the trick.

Tonight the Yankees go for the sweep. Whether or not they get it won’t be known until tonight. If they don’t get it the series is still very positive as the Yankees seem to be slowly breaking out of the month long funk that has them in 3rd place in the AL East. Tonight it’s Zito vs Brown. This should be a doozy of pitcher’s duel. So get your favorite beverage, fire up the T.V or get to your seat at the Stadium and cheer your New Yankees on to victory.

PLAY BALL!



(c) 2004 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

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