Game 74 Wrap-Up: NYY 5 CLE 4 (Andy's Ankle 0)

(A grimacing pitcher is never good.  Courtesy of The AP)

At least they got the win and got the sweep.  That's really the only positive to be taken from yesterday's game and pretty much yesterday in general if you're a Yankee fan.  Well that and the fact that Robinson Cano is going to win AL Player of the Month for June.  They lost CC before the game, lost Andy during the game, and both of them are going to miss enough time to make their injuries more than just day-to-day.  It's a shame too, because outside of the 1 unearned run he gave up, Andy was putting in work against the Indians' lineup yesterday.

Game Notes:

- Andy came out firing, striking out the side in the top of the 1st, all on sliders.  He struck out 7 through the first 4 innings, and were it not for an A-Rod throwing error they could have been scoreless.

- Ubaldo Jimenez held the offense hitless through 3, but they struck in the 4th once the lineup rolled over.  Eric Chavez got the key hit, a 2-out, 2-RBI double to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

#RISPsuccess

- Andy's 1-1 pitch to Casey Kotchman in the top of the 5th would prove to be diastrous.  Kotchman lined a shot right off Andy's left ankle, and despite his best efforts he couldn't stay in the game.  After Andy departed, the combination of Cody Eppley and Clay Rapada coughed up the lead before Freddy Garcia (believe it or not) came in to finish the inning.

- The Yankee offense would not be held down, though, and it was the combination of Alex Rodriguez, redeeming himself for the earlier error, and the scorching-hot Cano who combined to regain the lead on a 2-run Cano HR to left in the 6th.  The dude is hitting everything right now, and hitting everything everywhere.

- Chavez drove in a big run in the bottom of the 8th on a groundball base hit to right to extend the lead to 5-3.  There's nothing flashy about his season line, but Chavez has had some big hits.

- After D-Rob struck out 2 in a perfect 8th, Rafael Soriano came on (4th appearance in 5 days) and made things interesting in the bottom of the 9th, walking in a run to make it 5-4.  But he held on and saved the win, ensuring that the day wasn't a total loss.


F*ck Yeahs:

- Cano: 3-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 K, 2 LOB.  With the losses in the rotation, the offense is going to be counted on more than ever.  Hopefully Cano can continue his hot streak to lead the charge.

- Chavez: 2-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB.  Like I said, nothing flashy, and Chavez is a role player at this stage in his career, but he's played the role well and contributed in the at-bats he's gotten this year.

Oh Nos:

- Nick Swisher: 0-4, 2 K, 1 LOB.  In a cameo role in the #2 spot with Jeter getting a day off, Swish didn't exactly do much to set the table.

Next Up:

The Bombers get to reunite with Kevin Youkilis in his new duds when they take on the White Sox in the first game of a 4-game set tonight.  Ivan Nova, who I believe is still healthy as of right now, takes the hill for New York, and he'll be opposed by Dylan Axelrod.