Game 155 Wrap-Up: NYY 6 SF 0

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If they wanted to keep their faint glimmer of playoff hope alive, the Yankees needed to start pitching better.  They got a much improved 7-inning/1-run performance from CC Sabathia on Friday night and Ivan Nova following suit this afternoon would have been a huge boost.  They can't continue to roll with just Andy Pettitte as the only reliable starting pitcher.  Nova could help his stock for 2014 as well with a good start, and that stock is even more important now that we know Andy is retiring.  Ivan did answer the bell, and did one better by outdoing what Sabathia did last night and completely shutting down the San Francisco lineup on the way to the Yankees' second straight win.

Game Notes:

- Outside of a fastball over the plate to Pablo Sandoval, Nova looked pretty good through the first 3 innings.  He was getting ahead with his fastball, locating down in the zone to get a lot of groundball outs, and didn't put a run on the scoreboard.

- A pair of singles and a 4-pitch walk from the 7-8-9 hitters put the Yankees in business with no outs in the bottom of the 3rd.  They brought all 3 runs around to score on an Ichiro sac fly, an Alex Rodriguez RBI groundout, and a Robinson Cano RBI single to give Nova a cushion.

- That cushion got bigger and softer in the bottom of the 4th when Eduardo Nunez yanked a hanging curveball down the line and into the left field seats for a 2-run HR.  His lack of power development is one of the things that has made him such an extreme negative WAR player, but he showed some on that swing.

- Nova gave up a leadoff, sun-aided double to start the 4th, and then he was in full command for the remainder of his outing.  That runner never moved from second base, Nova retired the next 8 batters in a row, and punctuated his 8 scoreless with 2 strikeouts to strand another runner.

- Another Alfonso Soriano home run tacked on another run, and Nova finished what he started with another swinging strikeout at a nasty curveball.  2 games, 2 wins, and a stocked bullpen to support Andy tomorrow.


F*ck Yeahs:

- Nova: 9 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K.  This was the guy the Yankees need Nova to be moving forward.  Throwing the fastball for strikes, working inside, commanding a nasty curveball for swings and misses.  It was the total package from Nova and a confidence-inspiring start for him and the team moving forward.

- Brendan Ryan: 1-3, 1 R, 1 K.  Ryan was a part of the 3-run 3rd, but it was his work with the glove that got him on here.  He was all over the place at short, including ranging over to the second base side of the bag twice to make Web Gem-worthy plays.  He saved at least 2 or 3 hits for Nova and Ivan probably owns the shutout to Ryan.  He's looking more and more like a good option for next season.

- Eduardo Nunez: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB.  Good all-around day at the plate supplemented by another solid day at the hot corner.  Tools.  Always teasing with the tools.

Oh Nos:

- Ichiro Suzuki: 0-3, 1 RBI, 1 LOB.  Get out of the leadoff spot.

Next Up:

The Yankees need to win and they've done that in the first 2 games.  Couldn't be a more fitting setting for what could be the last Andy-Mo start in Yankee history.  Andy Pettitte on the mound in a big game situation has been the formula lately.  He and Mariano can put a great finishing touch on Mo's big day with a win and a sweep.