Not Bad, Chad: Gaudin Shows Big Game Ability for Yankees Before Boston Series
August 20, 2009 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
When you look at the Yankees-Athletics game on the schedule, it might not seem like a big game, but it ended up being a huge one.
Wednesday’s game was the end of a seven-game West Coast road trip and the Yankees already had won three of four against the Mariners and split the first two against Oakland, so to go five of seven out west would be very important for the Yankees.
On short notice, the Yankees sent up Chad Gaudin to start this critical game.
Gaudin was originally scheduled to pitch on Sunday against the Mariners, but they put Joba Chamberlain back into his regular spot, but Gaudin ended up coming out of the pen to pitch 1 1/3 innings in relief.
With the Joba Rules in effect, the Yankees were relying on their newest pitcher to get some innings and keep them in the game.
All Gaudin did was allow one hit, no runs, walked five and struck out five in 4 1/3 innings and left the game with a 3-0 lead and 90 pitches.
Gaudin needs to keep the walks down, but aside from that, he kept the Yankees in the game, and much better than Sergio Mitre has.
Gaudin also got his ERA down to under five in this game, which is at 4.94. If he has a few more starts like that, it should continue to shrink.
Alfredo Aceves gave up two runs on four hits, but that was all, and he ended up getting the victory and going to 8-1 now, which is very good for a reliever.
Where the Yankees would be without Aceves is a scary thought, because Aceves has pitched huge innings out of the bullpen for the Yankees in 2009. Originally seen as a starter, Aceves is thriving in his role.
Phil Coke and Phil Hughes continue to be the sturdy bridge to get the ball to the ninth inning with the lead as they both pick up holds; Coke his 15th and Hughes his 13th.
In the ninth inning, it’s Mariano Rivera’s time to shine as he closed the door for another Yankees win as they win 3-2 over Oakland. Rivera’s save was his 36th of the year.
First basemen and MVP candidate Mark Teixeira put the offense on his back Wednesday night and carried them with all three RBI which included a two run home run in the fourth inning and an RBI groundout in the first inning.
The home run was Teixeira’s 31st of the season and the three RBI put his total up to 89 on the season.
The Yankees are now 76-45 on the season and are also 35-27 on the road, a very good road record.
The Yankees also stay ahead seven games of the Red Sox, who won 6-1 on Wednesday against the Blue Jays, and the Yankees will use Thursday to get rest and travel on their off day to Boston for three important games at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.
Overall, a solid performance by Gaudin tonight, I’d feel comfortable giving him a second shot at a start in the rotation next time around over Sergio Mitre. Like I said, he’ll have to keep his walks down, but allowing one hit and no runs and leaving the game with a 3-0 lead is a great way to exit a game.
This start really turned out to be very important because the Yankees didn’t want to enter the Red Sox series losing two of three games and going into Boston on a loss.
Instead, the Yankees have won two in a row and win another series on the road and took five of seven on the west coast, so another great job by the Yankees in showing they can win those types of games.
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