Game Recap

Caption: Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon doesn’t look on as NYY 3B Alex Rodriguez rounds the bases after touching him for a game-tying two-run home run in the ninth inning. Things only got worse, as RF Marcus Thames would hit a game-winning two-run home run off Pappy moments later.

Tonight’s game in New York is a perfect example of why a closer needs to have a second pitch—and possess the intestinal fortitude to use it frequently enough to interrupt the timing of opposing hitters.

Last night was one of the great nights in the history of New York baseball.

The beloved New York Mets beat Atlanta Braves' ace, Derek Lowe, in a gut-wrenching game, while the World Champion New York Yankees blasted two clutch, ninth-inning home runs against Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to beat the hated team from the great state of Massachusetts.

The best right-handed pitcher in New York, Mike Pelfrey, hurled seven and two-third innings of solid baseball, improving his record to 5-1, as the Mets beat the Braves, 3-2.

It was a rough night to be a pitcher in the Bronx last night. Nine pitchers in total were used in the contest between the Yankees and Red Sox. Of the nine, five gave up runs in the 11-9 Yankees win.

The starters were not good. Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka   had a bad first inning in which the Yankees scored five runs. The righty lasted 4.2 innings, giving up nine hits. Three of those nine were doubles. The Yankees scored seven runs off Matsuzaka before he was taken out with two outs in the fifth.

Whew….

It’s funny how long losing streaks feel compared to winning streaks.

Thanks to Mike Pelfrey, the Mets obtained a much needed victory over the Braves.

Big Pelf went deep into this game pitching 7.2 innings for the win.

Tipping Pitches?

I was forced to watch the Braves’ coverage of the game. I have to tell you, they bring a whole new meaning to the word excitement.

I do have to admit, they are a bit more interesting now that John Smoltz is in the booth.

In 2009, the Yankees won a total of 15 games in walk-off hit fashion.

In the 2010 season, the Yankees got their first of the season in a much needed way against their oldest rival.

Monday night pitted the Yankees and Red Sox in the first of two games at Yankee Stadium.

Early on, the Yankees got a 5-0 lead in the first inning off Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, who just looked awful against the Yankees.

Yankees starter Phil Hughes wasn't as sharp as he has been all season, entering Monday's game 5-0.

In the 30th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft, the New York Yankees selected Marcus Thames from Louisville, Mississippi.

Six years after that, in June of 2002, Thames homered on the first pitch he ever saw.  Who threw it?  Just this guy named Randy Johnson. No big deal, right?

Trailing 9-7 in the bottom of the ninth, Alex Rodriguez tied the game with a two-run home run off Jonathan Papelbon. Three batters later, Marcus Thames’ two-out, two-run walk off homer lifted New York to an 11-9 win over Boston Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

The Mets won in front of Jeff Wilpon behind a really strong start by Mike Pelfrey . He went 7.2 IP and gave up only 2 ER on 7 hits and 2 walks. His velocity was great, at times throwing his fastball in the high 90s.

Facing another series sweep in the Bronx, the Twins pulled off some magic usually reserved for the Yankees.

Jason Kubel’s two-out, eighth-inning grand slam off Mariano Rivera powered Minnesota to a 6-3 win over New York Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

With the win, Minnesota ended a 12-game losing streak in New York. The Twins had not won a game at Yankee Stadium since July 4, 2007.

Everything is seemingly going wrong for the Mets these days. They're making fundamental errors, not pitching well, and not getting clutch hits. Now, though, it's getting pretty serious.

After already losing a starter due to ineffectiveness, they've lost another due to injury. Jon Niese, who already came back this season after a gruesome injury last season, hurt himself again in the middle of a disastrous third inning for the Mets.