Twins vs. Yankees:
The New York Yankees took game two of their series with Minnesota thanks to Mark Teixiera’s walk-off homer off Jose Mijares in the bottom of the 11th, as they won 4-3, ending a night of high drama.
It was an interesting game, and one as good as the contest the Twins had against the Tigers on Tuesday, but the New Yorkers battled, and the Twins – who had the bases loaded in the top of the 11th – could not muster umpteen chances they had to score.
A.J. Burnett was shaky, as he was wild at times, however, he was surprisingly able to be effective and got a little help from his defense, as Minnesota had two runners on base, with Delmon Young about to score in the fourth inning thanks to a Matt Tolbert base hit; however, base runner Carlos Gomez tried to be greedy and advance to third, but slipped. Moments later, Nick Swisher fielded the ball, threw it to Jeter and tagged out Gomez.
In the sixth inning, pinch-hitter Brendan Harris drove in a run with an RBI-triple off the left wall that got past Johnny Damon to put Minnesota up 1-0.
The Yankees tied the game 1-1 as Alex Rodriguez – the formerly beleaguered hitter in the playoffs – came through with a two out RBI-single. Moments later, Blackburn was yanked, but more damage was averted.
Minnesota took back the lead, 2-1, thanks to a two-out RBI by Nick Punto off reliever Phil Hughes with two runners on base. Well, a minute so or later – after Mariano Rivera came into the game – Denard Span plated in another run with an RBI-single to give them a 3-1 lead.
However, Minnesota would cough up the lead in the bottom of the ninth as Joe Nathan gave up a home run – a two run shot – to Alex Roridguez to tie the game at three. The Minnesota closer also pitched the tenth inning — and he was terrible — however, although he let runners get on base, the Yankees could not finish off the Twins at that point.
A.J. Burnett for the Yankees lasted six innings, and gave up a run, but he walked five and struck out five. Nick Blackburn, who started the game for the Twins, went six innings as well and gave up only a run.
Dave Robertson got the win in relief for New York; meanwhile, Mijares took the loss for Minnesota.
Red Sox vs. Angels: A huge three-run seventh inning by the Angels off Josh Beckett led the Angels to a 4-1 victory over the Red Sox and they now have a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series.
Boston would find themselves in trouble against Los Angeles in the seventh, and sadly they would allow three runs to come in thanks to their opponent. The Angels used an incredible amount patience at the plate as Vladmir Guerrero earned a leadoff walk, and Howie Kendrick was brought in as a pinch hitter; thereafter, he stole second base. Macier Iztruis plated in a run with an RBI-single, and after stealing second, the next hitter – Mike Napoli – was plunked by Beckett (it was questionable as Napoli made little effort to move out of the way). The next hitter, Erik Aybar hit a triple plating in both Izturis and Napoli to give the Angels a 4-1 lead.
Josh Beckett – who started the game for Boston – looked like the pitcher we’ve all known in the playoffs, until the seventh inning. He would take the loss, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing in four runs.
Jered Weaver – who started the game for the Angels – was masterful, only allowing a run on two hits and earning the victory.
The Red Sox put a run on the board in the fourth inning off Jered Weaver as Victor Martinez plated in a run with an RBI-single; however, the Angels came in the bottom of the inning as Kendry Morales plated Bobby Abreu with a sacrifice fly.
The Angels lead would give Brian Fuentes a chance to save the game.
