WOW what a game, Best Ever?

Last night was one of the great games in Yankee playoff history. I thought about what to write about and I realized I was too happy and too emotional last night to clearly state the big parts of the game. Right now I'm a little more level headed but still I can't put into words the greatness and how much just happened in that game. For 9 innings we had a great game filled with lots of interesting developments. We had AJ Burnett throwing a very AJ Burnett game. He dominated the first 4 innings but then hid the skids in the 5th after hitting a batter and walking batters. A few wild pitches thrown into the mix and he had blown the 2-0 lead. He managed to settle in the 6th and ended with a pretty solid performance. For the Angels, Saunders looked a bit shaky in the early going. Cano had a 2 out RBI triple and Jeter had a solo shot to give the Yankees a quick 2-0 lead. Saunders found his stride for the second straight game against the Yankees and managed 7 strong innings with only 2 runs.

The funny thing was this game was supposed to be sloppy weather wise, but instead it was sloppy in terms of performance. Both teams were making errors left and right. Both teams failed to score with men in scoring position. There were wild pitches, hbp, meetings on the mound, and countless pitchers used. The game dragged on, Extra innings. Then the rain began. Then the game got intense. Alfredo Aceves was the first Yankee reliever to have any trouble. Previously JOba, Coke, Hughes, and Rivera had all done a great job of keeping the Angels at 2 following AJ's start. Aceves gave up a run on a Chone Figgins double, his first hit of the postseason. It looked like curtains for the Yankees who had failed to score in 8 innings. But the Yankees love the spotlight and love the comebacks. Arod led off and in typical A-rod of 09 fashion, came through in a tight spot. On an 0-2 pitch from closer Brian Fuentes, he nailed a fastball the opposite way just over the right field wall for a game tying solo HR. Just when you thought the Angels had taken this marathon game, the Yankees clawed back. Just when you thought at 12:15 you could go to bed, think again. Just when you thought Arod had done enough in the clutch to overcome his previous postseasons, he comes through AGAIN in a big way. He really has put all his problems behind him and is putting the team on his back.

Well the game continued and it was sloppy with the weather as the rain picked up. Innings continued to be played and people were wondering if it was going to ever end. Who would the Yankees pitch? Who was left? Who was going to be the hero, who wanted the pie? Well in the 13th inning after Dave Robertson avoided 2 threatening Angels innings, Jerry Hairston pinch hit for Freddy Guzman. I was wondering why he didn't previously pinch hit but all the same glad he got to hit last night. He came up and smoke a single. Garnder bunted him over to second. Cano was intentioanlly walked. And with 1 out and first and second, Melky Cabrera came up. He hit a sharp grounder to Izturis. Izturis had one play and that was Melky at first, but he tried to make too much and get the force at second trying for a double play. Instead he through it wide of Aybar and Hairston was allowed to score. A fortunate 2nd error and 3rd mental error for the Angels, a team that never allows mistakes made a big one.

Lot of notes on this game. First the play on Aybar earlier in the game, he was called for not stepping on second on a routine double play. Fortunately it did not cost them the game or their would be lots of problems with the call, but I saw that one with the naked eye and called it before the umpire did. I know it's the neighborhood play and nobody calls that, but you gotta touch the base. He never did and that's the rule. The fact that the announcers were saying it was BS for the angels was beyond me. How? THat's baseball. I know it isn't called often but just because it's the ALCS doesn't mean you are exempt from touching 2nd on a double play. Sorry Aybar complain all you want but on replay you never touched. Go back to basics and learn how to do it right.

Jeter also got called out on a double play hit right to Saunders when the replay showed he clearly beat the throw. Not complaining just saying anyone who thought the umps were siding with the Yankees last night, wrong.

21 players were used for the Yankees, only Pettitte, CC, Gaudin, and Cervelli were not. MOst all time in BAseball playoff history. Lets see what Monday brings for game 3 in warm Anaheim.