Game 27: Yanks beat Indians 5-2

April 29, 2008

By DailySkew

The Yankees salvaged a split (2-2) in Cleveland to finally end this road trip. Mike Mussina and Aaron Laffey dueled into the 5th, before Moose got tired, and gave up consecutive hits, to run the score 2-0 Indians (Laffey was throwing a no-hitter).

In the 6th, the 2008 Yankees looked like the 1998 Yankees- they stacked a bunch of cheap infield hits and fielder’s choices to walk away with 4 runs.

Although the Yankees slighltly deviated from the Wang-Joba-Mo Plan due to Mussina’s poor stamina, and Yankees starters are averaging 5 innings a game, (last night it was Moose-Albaladejo-Farnsworth-Joba-Mo), they still won a close game game they probably would have lost last year. The bullpen did great again last night, as Mariano Rivera is now 8/8 in Save Opportunities, with no walks, and 0.00 ERA.

Injury Front

Jorge Posada was placed on the 15-day DL for the first time in his career. His shoulder injury may be serious, and surgery may be in the picture. Even if it’s not, it is impossible for Jorge to duplicate his production from last year.

A-Rod re-aggravated his quad, even though he’s had DH duties recently. He might as well sit out until it heals 100% and stop trying to be a martyr.

Wilson Betmit still is on the DL with an ulcer. Maybe that’s why he was sucking.

Chris Stewart was called up from Scranton to be the backup catcher to Jose Molina. Stewart had been previously released by the Texas Rangers. He should be an automatic out when he plays.

Let’s take a look at how they have fared for each series:

Beat Toronto Blue Jays (home)
Lost to Tampa Bay Rays (home)
Lost to Kansas City Royals (road)
Lost to Boston Red Sox (road)
Swept Tampa Bay Rays (road)
Split Boston Red Sox (home)
Lost to Baltimore Orioles (road)
Beat Chicago White Sox (road)
Split Cleveland Indians (road)