September 11, 2006 - Yankees 9, Orioles 6: What a way to get your 17th, Randy! and Jeter's last laugh...

Randy Johnson becomes the 4th man in the MLB to get 17 wins, giving up five runs and nine hits in 6 innings of work... Johnson stayed in long enough in the game to earn his 17th because of the Yankees' 6-run 7th inning, capped by Robinson Cano's bases-clearing double...

However, before you got that double, you have Guiel get hit, Damon walking, our MVP candidate getting a single to load them up, Abreu's sac fly, A-Rod's single to drive in a run, and Posada's hit by pitch before Cano's double... that's how you play to win...

The Yankees don't survive only on the long ball, these Yankees manufacture runs through singles, walks, sac flies, etc...

A few things to mention about tonight's game:

1. What is up with Johnson? His run support in this game was critical, getting 7 runs of run support... it's the story of the year so far: Johnson pitches a great game, almost no-hits a team, and the next game out, he buckles and yields 5 or more runs... it's incredible inconsistency, with Johnson having a 4.84 ERA, and yet, still getting 17 wins...

2. Even with that, Cy Young candidate Wang and Johnson both have 17 wins, which is admirable and worth applauding...

3. Ok... *holds my breath and my voice as much as I can*

PROCTOR HAS PITCHED IN THREE STRAIGHT GAMES!!! COME ON, TORRE!!!

*breathes again, normally*

Ok, Proctor has now 91 innings under his belt... Proctor has been one of our most effective bull-pen guys this year... and Torre decides to pitch him again?!?!?

WTF, mate??? Give Proctor some rest... can someone start a petition about that? Please? Pretty please?

4. Brian Bruney... another strong outing, one inning, 2 strikeouts... o.84 ERA in 11 games, 16 K... has pitched back-to-back yesterday and today, without yielding one hit... what is there to be said? Bruney is looking like the last player the Yankees will take with them into the postseason...

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From MLB.com:

Talk of whether Jeter is a worthy candidate or not surfaced before Monday's game, a day after Red Sox slugger David Ortiz indicated that he would be a better choice than Jeter, even though Boston will probably not advance into the postseason...

Jeter, who extended his career high hitting streak to 21 games in the first inning Monday, responded to Ortiz's comments prior to the game.

"I don't have to do it in his lineup," Jeter said. "I'm not thinking about winning the MVP. I'm just thinking about winning the division. No one's focus here is on individual awards. We've got something to play for."

Johnny Damon, who played with Ortiz for the past three seasons in Boston, said Ortiz's comments didn't sound like something the Red Sox designated hitter would normally say. This year, Damon has seen Jeter on an everyday basis.

"He's gotten clutch hit after clutch hit," Damon said. "I'm going to choose my teammate, bottom line. I see the value Derek brings."

So... I think there's only one thing really left to say on this topic...



You stay classy, Boston...

But really, Jeter responded in the way you'd expect a player with class to speak of: focusing on the playoffs instead of the MVP...

In other words, David Ortiz just got owned... :-)

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Mussina pitches for his 14th win tomorrow against the Devil Rays at the Stadium, it will be the only game I won't be attending this series, which I'm very excited about!

Pictures will follow the games...

Let's hope that Mussina comes back and pitches like his dominant self tomorrow!

Happy reading!

B(rent)