MOOSE STOPS THE BLEEDING
Mussina Performance Aids Yanks Avoid 4-Game Sweep




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
July 25, 2005

Anaheim – After attending the weekend series against the Angels at Angels Stadium I finally figured out what the Yankees strategy should have been all along in facing Orange County’s version of the red tide. You don’t score the first run of the game.

In the previous three games of the series the Yankees scored a run in the first inning only to have the Los Angeles Angels come back and knock around the Bombers’ pitching staff to take the first three games of this four-game set. Los Angeles/Anaheim is the only team to have a winning record against New York in the Torre era and they had no trouble proving why against the Yanks Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Walking into the stadium it was the Angels’ fans who were boisterous, swinging the brooms they brought with them and fantasizing of a sweep over the bad boys from the Big Apple. Bad karma I thought to be doing that. It’s o.k. to think it, but it’s never a good idea to say it aloud.

Taking the mound for the Yankees’ last ditch effort to salvage something positive from a lackluster performance was Mike Mussina. The Moose has had his ups and downs this season, but entered the game with a respectable 9-5 record with an ERA of 3.95. His opponent was left-hander Jared Washburn. Wash as he’s called in Los Caliheim has been equally respectable with a 6-5 record and 3.27 ERA. Although the win-loss column wasn’t impressive Washburn’s ERA told me he keeps his team in games.

Once the game started the Yankees changed their approach. Instead of scoring a run in the first inning New York was set down in order, 1-2-3. The Yankees had the Angels right where they wanted them. They set the trap and the Halos fell right into it.

After leadoff hitter Chone Figgins walked and stole second Darin Erstad moved him over to third on a ground out. Yankee’ nightmare Vladimir Guerrero came to plate, but instead of hammering the ball over the wall Guerrero grounded out to third baseman Alex Rodriguez to score what would prove to be Los Angeles’ only run of the afternoon.

The pitching match up was just as good as advertised. Washburn and Mussina began a classic pitcher’s duel and matched zeros for the next five innings. The Halos got a few hits off Mussina here and there, but they were able to mount only one serious attack. Washburn was even more difficult allowing the Yankees just one hit through the first six innings. That was a leadoff double by second baseman Robinson Cano in the fourth inning, which went for naught as the Yankees were unable to get him across the plate. That was partly due to third base coach Luis Sojo sending Cano home from third on a shallow fly ball hit by Alex Rodriguez to Juan Rivera in right field. Rivera showed his arm as he threw Cano out by several feet to complete the double play and end the Yankees’ threat.

In the bottom of the sixth the Angels looked poised to do some damage as they had a first and third situation with two outs. However, with center fielder Steve Finley standing on third and third baseman Maicer Izturis on first Mussina induced Rivera to hit back to the box and Mussina softly tossed the ball to Tino Martinez to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, with the Bombers running out of time, the offense finally answered the bell. With one out, Alex Rodriguez reached first base safely on a ball hit deeply to short. Orlando Cabrera made a great play and his throw was slightly behind Rodriguez crossing the bag. The next batter, Hideki Matsui, got to Washburn. Washburn finally threw a pitch which was over the plate and one Matsui could drive and Godzilla promptly deposited the ball over the right-center field fence. The Yankees had their first come-from-behind-lead in the series.

Washburn then plunked Jason Giambi who quietly jogged down to first base. The plunking brought a long glare to Washburn from home plate umpire Marvin Hudson, but no warnings were issued. Jorge Posada, who had done little in the series, followed with a lined single to left field. Jason Giambi, thinking he was Tony Womack, rounded second and slid into third barely beating the throw from the outfield. In the process Giambi knocked down third baseman Chone Figgins. Giambi didn’t acknowledge Figgins, who dusted himself off and went back to his position. The Yankees scored their third run of the inning when Tino Martinez grounded to second scoring Giambi.

Mussina started the seventh inning, but was pulled by manager Joe Torre after the Moose gave up a bloop single to Adam Kennedy with one out. As the Moose walked toward the dugout the large throng of Yankees’ fans attending the game gave Mussina a standing ovation. Tanyon Sturtze came on and closed out the inning for the Yanks

The Yankees were unable to score in the eighth inning, and then Joe Torre made a pitching move this reporter thought was dicey. Torre replaced Sturtze with Tom Gordon. Gordon has been hit by opposing batters of late, including Thursday’s grand slam by Vladimir Guerrero, which snatched a victory away from the Yankees. With a day off Monday, it seemed to be more prudent to leave Sturtze in to pitch the eighth inning then go to closer Mariano Rivera.

As feared Gordon gave up a leadoff single to Vladimir Guerrero. After getting Garret Anderson to fly out Gordon walked Steve Finley giving the Halos runners at first and second with one out. Torre quickly came to the mound with his hook and brought in the Sandman. Rivera quickly restored order as he persuaded Maicer Izturis to hit into an inning ending double play.

The Yankees scored the final run of the afternoon in the top of the ninth inning when Jason Giambi walked and was replaced by pinch runner Tony Womack. Jorge Posada popped out bringing Tino Martinez to the plate. Tino banged a double deep into center field and Womack scored all the way from first base. Bubba Crosby, who had replaced Bernie Williams, popped out and shortstop Derek Jeter grounded out to end the Yankees scoring.

Rivera came on in the bottom of the ninth and proved why he is the best closer in history. He struck out Juan Rivera, got Bengie Molina to fly out and closed out the game by striking out Adam Kennedy looking.

The victory over the Angels was a game the Yankees desperately needed. After winning three of four in Boston and two of three in Arlington the Yankees came into Los Angeles with a lot of momentum. The Halos quickly let the air out the Bombers’ balloon. The Yankees victory allowed them to avoid an ugly sweep, go home on a winning note and gave them a winning road trip with a 6-5 record.

Now the Yankees have a day off and will open up a home stand in the Bronx against the Minnesota Twins, followed by these same Los Angeles Angels. Although they can’t be looking past the Twins, you can bet that, in the backs of their minds, the Yankees are thinking of a little payback.


PLAY BALL!



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