The Angels must've listened to George Costanza's hitting advice
Oh Angels. Just when I swear you couldn’t get any dumber, you go and do something like this…and completely redeem yourselves! The ALCS is headed back to Yankee Stadium after a 7-6 Los Angeles win in tonight’s Game 5, cutting New York’s series lead to 3-2.
The Angels jumped all over A.J. Burnett in the first, scoring four runs before the overpaid righty even retired a batter. Burnett settled in though, holding Vladdy & co. off the board to set up a six-run seventh inning rally, highlighted by a three-run double by Mark Texeira and a two-run triple by Robinson Cano, to give the Yankees a 6-4 lead. Figuring Burnett’s usual one inning of garbage was already under his belt (the first), Joe Girardi made the mistake of letting him head back out for the bottom of the seventh. Big mistake — Burnett put the first two on with a hit and a walk, then watched as can’t-miss prospect Phil Hughes gave up a pair of two-out, RBI singles to give the Angels a 7-6 lead.
Of course, star closer Brian Fuentes made things interesting in the ninth, loading the bases with a pair of walks (one intentional, to A-Rod) and a hit-by-a-pitch before getting true scholar Nick Swisher* to pop to short to end the game.
A little more nail-biting than it had to be for the Angels, but a win is a win. Game 6 goes Saturday in New York, with young Andrew Pettitte (14-8, 4.16) facing Joe Saunders (16-7, 4.60).
*According to popular legend (or, according to my London, Ontario BFF Courtney Jordan, who witnessed the whole exchange), Swisher was taking the field late in a Yankees-Jays game at Rogers Centre in September, when he turned to the first base umpire — I believe it was Bob Davidson — and yelled something to the effect of “These fans are f—ing idiots!”. The umpire then turned to C. Jordan, who was doing field security, and said, “Yeah, and he’s a real f—king scholar”. So there you have it — Nick Swisher = a real effing scholar.
this was a real nail biter, i felt like i was watching a scary movie with the blanket half covering my eyes! even though im not a crazy angels fan i was on the edge of my seat from the 7th inning on. love vlady and his tight pants for bringing us back in the game. what i cant understand is why he didnt leave weaver in for the ninth instead of bringing the “heart attack closer” fuentes in. also i do agree with his choice to walk a rod putting the tieing run on although it did almost come back to haunt him.
and omg swisher is quite the effing scholar
thanks for the shout out
and your my toronto BFF, dont forget that!
By: cj on October 23, 2009
at 11:13 am
…….nd it all started with lackey losing his cool on wat he thought was a strike
By: cm on October 23, 2009
at 11:28 am
That’s the thing with hating the Yankees — you instantly turn into a diehard fan of the team they’re playing.
As for the decision of keeping putting in Fuentes, I couldn’t agree more. My late great friend George used to always complain about how these managers are “married to the statistics”, meaning they feel they have to follow the same rotations and put the same guys in in the same situations every game, ie. Fuentes in for the ninth when he’s proven he’s not the best option.
By: Jeremy on October 23, 2009
at 12:04 pm