Game 162 Wrap-Up: NYY 5 HOU 1

(Courtesy of the AP)

With Mo and Andy's goodbyes out of the way and the playoffs long gone from view, there was nothing left to play for on the season's final day.  Joe managed the game that way, sitting Robinson Cano and Ichiro to give them some needed rest and giving the ball to David Huff to start the game.  If there was anything on the line today, it may have been chances for the young guys like Adams, Zoilo, Murphy, and Betances to make a positive last impression on the coaching staff before spring camp next year.  The game went long and the Yankees came away with a win to finish their 2013 season on a somewhat positive note.

Game Notes:

- Huff wasn't quite as effective as he's been as Phil Hughes' caddy in the 1st.  He gave up a double and a single to 2 guys named Jonathan Villar and Matt Dominguez to give Houston the early 1-0 lead.

- As expected, the skeleton lineup didn't produce much against Erik Bedard.  3 hits - a Curtis Granderson double and a pair of singles by Eduardo Nunez and Brendan Ryan - was all they mustered while striking out 7 times in a scoreless first 5 innings.

- To his credit, Huff shook off the tough 1st to pitch 4 straight scoreless frames of his own through 5.  He only gave up 1 single in that span and retired 11 in a row (including 5 strikeouts) with a good 2-seamer/slider combo.

- Bedard left after 7 scoreless and just like yesterday, the Yankee offense finally struck late.  Nunez doubled with 1 out to give the Yanks just their second RISP of the day, and with 2 outs C-Grand came through with a base hit to tie the game at 1.

- When it's the last game of the season, why not have some free baseball?  The game stretched into the thanks to solid relief pitching and poor hitting by both sides.  Biggest Yankee highlight was the combined 2.1 shutout, 4-K innings from Dellin Betances.

- At long last, Mark Reynolds got an "all" at-bat instead of a "nothing" one and homered to lead off the 14th.  After 2 strikeouts, the Yankees rattled off 4 straight hits to bring in 3 more runs and give D-Rob a comfy cushion to close things out.


F*ck Yeahs:

- Nunez: 3-7, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 LOB.  Was involved in the team's offensive output from start to finish today, and got the big 2-out hit to make it a 3-run lead in the 14th.

- Huff: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K.  Another good performance for Huff, who did a lot to put himself back on the Major League map this year.  It will be interesting to see if the Yankees have any interest in bringing him back next season.

Oh Nos:

- Vernon Wells: 0-6, 1 K, 4 LOB.  You expect days like this from rookies against Houston.  You don't expect it from a veteran whom your team acquired for multiple years.

- Travis Hafner: 0-4, 1 K, 2 IBB.  Why was he activated again?

Next Up:

The offseason.  That's it for 2013 and the Yankees finish it 85-77.  They'll head back to New York to clean out their lockers and then head home to get started on their offseason plans while we get ready for hot stove season.  Long year, tough year.  Glad it's over.