Game 9: Yankees vs. Angels

YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Marcus Thames DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Randy Winn LF

RHP Phil Hughes (first start)

ANGELS
Erick Aybar SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Torii Hunter CF
Hideki Matsui DH
Kendry Morales 1B
Howie Kendrick 2B
Mike Napoli 2B
Brandon Wood 3B
Reggie Willits LF

LHP Scott Kazmir (first start)

Time to earn it: Phil Hughes makes his first start of the season after winning the number 5 starter spot out of Spring Training.

Off the bench: Randy Winn will make his first start as a Yankee today, as Nick Johnson and Brett Gardner get the day off against the lefty.

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Yankees Win AL Pennant

Like I'm going to get any homework and sleep done now...might as well do the postgame recap.

WP: Pettitte
LP: Saunders
S: Rivera

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Andy Pettitte gets the nod in this one. 6.1 IP giving up 1 run and striking out 6.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Johnny Damon's two-run single in the bottom of the fourth to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: Scott Kazmir's throwing error in the eighth inning, scoring Robinson Cano, giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead. The Angels had just brought the game within 1 run, but Kazmir blew up in the fourth, erasing any hope the Angels had to make a comeback.

GAME NOTES:

• Andy Pettitte earned his 16th career postseason win, and fifth elimination game win, making him the winningest pitcher in each category.



• The Yankees clinched their 40th pennant today. An MLB record, obviously.



• CC Sabathia was named the ALCS MVP.

Game 1 of the 2009 World Series is Wednesday. It will be CC Sabathia vs Cliff Lee at Yankee Stadium. I have the privelege of attending this game...with a Red Sox fan rooting for the Phillies. Should be fun.

See Ya!

[photo courtesy espn.com]

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California Dreamin'

YANKEES (96-56)
Jeter SS
Hairston 3B
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Duncan RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF
Molina C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (11-9, 4.22).

ANGELS (90-61)
Figgins 3B
Aybar SS
Abreu RF
Hunter CF
Morales 1B
Rivera LF
Kendrick 2B
Matthews RF
Napoli C

Pitching: LHP Scott Kazmir (9-8, 5.08).

TIME/TV: 3:35, YES.

Sorry for the late post, sometimes that "going to class" thing gets in the way of the important things.

So the Yankees FINALLY won a game in LA with a sac fly by A-Rod in the 9th inning. And right now it is 0-0 in the 4th inning in a match up of Scott Kazmir and AJ Burnett. The Yankees also clinched a playoff spot.

UPDATE 4:50: This isn't like a Yankees Classic right because I didn't think Cano got hits with runners in scoring position anymore.

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