Yankees beat the Angels 3-2

After not winning a series in Anaheim for some time, the Yankees proved to everyone that they still got it, and most importantly, they can win when needed. The Yankees beat the Angels 3-2 behind a strong performance from one of their “sleeper” players.

I was just pleased that AJ Burnett decided to show up for work and actually do what he is expected to do. Burnett was an animal on the mound with 11 strikeouts. He was pretty much the reason that the Yankees walked out with  a victory and their heads held high.

Here are a few quick thoughts about the game:

-The struggling Robinson Cano, came through tonight with runners in scoring position, which he has struggled with all season. Int the fourth inning, he delivered a two run single, and was later hit in by a double to the gap by Melky Cabrera.

-Burnett gave up only two runs on seven hits before departing with one out in the sixth inning. Damaso Marte, Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy strung together 2 1/3 innings of scary but scoreless relief. Mariano Rivera obviously came in with another save.

-With the victory, the Yankees have achance to clinch the AL East with a sweep of the Red Sox in the Bronx this weekend.

AJ Burnett

AJ Burnett was throwing the stinky cheddar and could not be touched for the first few innings. He had 12 stikeouts in just six innings, but made three mistakes that cost him and the Yankees the game: two walks and a fastball to Ian Kinsler in the top of the fourth that ended up in the left field bleachers.

I really want to start dogging on AJ Burnett, but I really can’t. the last couple of times e has thrown he has completely been deserving of me dogging on him, but today, I just can’t bring myself to do it. He was a stud on the mound. The Yankees didn’t put up enough runs, and they left 12 men on base. This loss goes to the offense. They just didn’t come through in the clutch.

Also, it doesn’t hel pwhen Phil Coke comes into the game and gets shelled for another couple of runs. It seems lile the midle relievers are always questionable for the Yankees. If the Yanks get a big win, it is normally because their starter goes deep into the game and then Mariano Rivera comes in and the game is over. But when the Yanks rely on their middle relievers for three to four innings, that is when it all comes tumbling down.

Burnett, who was a work horse on the mound, got another loss, which makes him 0-4 in his last six starts, which includes a game when he threw 7 2/3 shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox. He is definately going to need a couple of wins before the playoffs start to get him into the zone. If not, it could be questionsable throwing him up on the bump.