Source: FanGraphs
Well that sure was a fun game. Great pitching, a real live homer, Mariano Rivera … what more could you want? The Yankees walked off the Saturday with a 3-0 win over the Padres. Let’s recap:
- The Grandyman: It’s so nice having a corner outfielder who hits like a corner outfielder, isn’t it? Curtis Granderson’s second game off the DL featured his second homer of the year, a two-run shot in the seventh inning against Tyson Ross. Ross was completely dominant up to that point. Granderson tacked on a single (and a stolen base) and scored the team’s third run in the ninth– with help from a blown call, of course — so he accounted for nearly all the offense. The Yankees had just five hits, and he had two of ’em. Missed you, Curtis. Stick around this time.
- Ivan The Not Terrible: Once again, Ivan Nova was outstanding. He held the Padres to four hits and one walk in seven shutout innings, striking out eight and getting 18 of his 21 outs on the infield. Nova did it all with just two pitches too — PitchFX says he threw 48 fastballs and 37 curveballs. No sliders, no changeups. It was weird that he came out of the game with his pitch count sitting at 85, but no big deal. Nova has turned his season — and his career, really — around of late.
- Leftovers: David Robertson and Mariano Rivera retired six of the seven men they faced to preserve the win … Lyle Overbay broke up Ross’ perfect game with a flare single to left with one out in the fifth … the 3-4-5 hitters with 4-for-11 with a walk while the other six hitters went 1-for-21 … Nova went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts at the plate, and in his career he’s now 1-for-14 with 13 strikeouts. The hit was a single off Randall Delgado last June. That 1.000 BABIP is probably unsustainable.
MLB.com has the box score and video highlights, FanGraphs the nerd score, and ESPN the updated standings. Despite the win, the Yankees remain seven back in the division and three back in the wildcard race, both in the loss column. They did pickup a game on two of their three wildcard competitors (the Orioles and Rangers), however. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy is your Save The Big Three! themed pitching matchup for the series finale on Sunday afternoon. IPK will be making his first start for San Diego.
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