Game 69: Return to normalcy.

Thanks to everyone who gave supportive words and thoughts.  My dad is doing much better today and will be able to come home tomorrow, which we are exceedingly happy about.  I guess the same "get well" could also be applied to several Yankees, including Alex Rodriguez.  Alex is slumping bad right now and the best thing for him is to take a couple days off and clear his head a bit so hopefully this gives him an added boost.  

Speaking of added boost, we really needed Andy to turn in a great pitching performance today, since his last few have been pretty bad.  He more than responded, going 7 innings of 3-hit ball while walking none, striking out 7 and giving up just one earned run.  He also got himself an RBI double at the plate as well, which is just the icing on the cake, wouldn't you say? Bruney and Tomko relieved him and both did a great job of continuing the shut-down ball that Andy pitched for 7 innings.  We really needed this out of him in the wake of the Nats series disaster.  

The offense was a little dead, especially since we had opportunity after opportunity to drive the knife in the Marlins but didn't.  Don't get me wrong, a 5-1 win is as good as a 23-1 win, as everything counts the same in the end.  Just that I don't want to be constantly in situations where we can score runs with RISP and fail to bring them in.  That kind of stagnation has been our downfall for the last few seasons and I really want it to start to turn around.  You can't just sit back on a lead and expect it to stay that way all game.  You have to keep applying pressure to the other team.  Score a run or so an inning....keep it coming in drips and drabs.  Don't score everything at once and then do nothing for the 7 innings, for example.   Never let your opponent think they have a chance to win.  That's what made the '98 Yankees so dominant; they'd take a lead and that was it for you, even if it was the 1st inning.  You knew they weren't letting go.  This team ain't that team nor should they try to be in all ways, but maybe taking a few things that squad was known for wouldn't hurt.  We did get 13 hits though, so at least we were at least getting on base regularly.  No one had a really outstanding night at the plate, but I think we'll do a combo offensive/pitching Star of the Game and give both to Andy Pettitte.....he's got the highest BA in the lineup right now.  A solid .333.  Great work, Andy!