Game 161 Wrap-Up: NYY 2 HOU 1

These last few games of the season have little meaning  in the grand scheme of things, but they've given us a few great moments to remember as we watch the final days of 2/3 of the remaining Core Four.  Mo's exit on Thursday night at The Stadium was as emotional a scene as I can ever remember at The Stadium, maybe the most emotional since President Bush came out to throw that first pitch after 9/11.  Last night, Andy Pettitte made his final start, and although it wasn't at home, there was still a lot of emotion attached and a lot to remember.  With nothing left to hold out for, Joe gave Andy the longest leash of the season and Andy responded by pitching his best game of the season, even better than his last home start last Sunday.

Game Notes:

- Andy put at least 1 runner on base in each of the first 4 innings, but worked his way out of trouble most of the time.  He gave up a run in the 4th on a single and a pair of groundouts, but he looked good and he was working quickly.

- The kid-filled Yankee lineup did its typical worst to help Andy early.  They stranded 2 runners in the 2nd, got sat down in order from the 3rd through the 5th, and generally looked weak and pathetic.

- They finally got their act together in the top of the 6th, on the back of a Chris Stewart leadoff single.  Eduardo Nunez and Robinson Cano followed up with singles of their own to score Stewart and chase Houston starter Paul Clemens from the game.  Alfonso Soriano walked to load the bases, and Nunez came around to score on a throwing error to give Andy a 2-1 lead.

- Once he had that lead, Andy buckled down and pitched like the postseason ace we've seen time and time again.  He walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 6th and then retired the next 11 batters he faced into the bottom of the 9th.  He gave up a 2-out hit, but Joe was going to let him finish what he started and he did just that by getting a groundball out to end the game, earn the win, and end his career in style.


F*ck Yeahs:

- Pettitte: 9 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.  116 pitches, the 5th straight time he's thrown 100+ in the season's final month and the most he's thrown all season.  Andy left it all out on the mound last night and he was masterful.  The last big game in a career full of them.

- Cano: 2-4, 1 RBI.  Ho-hum, Robbie Cano gets 2 hits again as the only real threat in a crappy lineup.  I'm sure that's going to factor heavily in his decision to re-sign this offseason.

Oh Nos:

- Curtis Granderson: 0-4, 1 BB, 2 K, 3 LOB.  Really stumbled to the finish line this season after hitting well for weeks after coming off the DL.  Batting average is down to .227.

Next Up:

Final game of the season is today, and it pains me to say it but thank goodness.  I can't write these recaps anymore.  I need a break.