Posada Hits Go-Ahead Home Run As Yankees Beat Indians 7-3

April 19, 2009   ·   Micheal Robinson   ·   Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees

It looked grim early on, and Carl Pavano was well on his way to mowing down the Yankees and getting the victory, and the series win for the Indians.

The Yankee bats had something to say about that late in the game though.

The Yankees were playing from behind all day, trailing 3-0 early via the long ball. 

A solo from Shin-Soo Choo in the first and a two-run shot by Ryan Garko in the fourth had A.J. Burnett reeling.

Burnett walked seven hitters today and managed to still go six and a third and get a no decision.

Mark Teixeira hit a nice opposite field base hit in the bottom half of the fourth to bring the Yankees within two.

Jonathan Albaladejo came in during the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out, he quickly got Mark Derosa to ground out.

Cody Ransom, who is filling in for the injured Alex Rodriguez, showed a nice glove, going home with the ground ball to force the runner out at the plate.

Victor Martinez then grounded out to end the bases loaded threat.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Yankees took the lead and never looked back.

Robinson Cano doubled down the left field line to get the inning going and was knocked in by Hideki Matsui with a single to center.

Jorge Posada pinch hit for Jose Molina, and that would be the difference of the game.

Posada hit a high fly ball to right field that looked playable but made it to the seats.

It was almost caught by Trevor Crowe in right, who had just taken over for Ryan Garko to start the inning. 

Crowe had no idea he was about to be a part of a game changing moment and a play that was ultimately reviewed by the umpires in the first replay review of the season, and first ever at the new Yankee Stadium.

The ruling on the field was a two-run home run by Posada that scored Matsui and it was a close call because the fan almost reached over.

After the review, it was upheld and the Yankees took the lead, 4-3.

In the bottom of the eight, Cody Ransom added some insurance on a bases loaded double that should have been caught by left fielder Shin-Soo Choo but he lost it in the sun.

The Yankees went on to win the game 7-3 as Mariano Rivera got some work in the ninth in a non-save situation.

Albaladejo would get his first win of the season after his nice efforts in the seventh inning.

The Yankees got a much needed win as they split the first ever series at the new Yankee Stadium and after the embarrassing 22-4 loss on Saturday.

The Yankees are now 7-6 on the season, two and a half games out from the red hot Toronto Blue Jays.

Up next for the Yankees is a three game set starting on Monday at the stadium against the Oakland Athletics. 

Jason Giambi will be making his return to the Bronx. It’s time to see how well he is received by the fans as he is coming in with a gray beard and a green, and yellow uniform.

My feelings is that it will be mixed.  I liked the guy and enjoyed a few of the big moments he had, but I am happy with Mark Teixeira and his amazing glove at first, seeing signs of Don Mattingly all over again.

It will be lefty versus lefty as Andy Pettitte (1-0, 2.51 ERA) will defend the stadium for the Yankees against Dana Eveland (0-0, 6.75 ERA) for the Oakland Athletics.

In other Yankee news, according to the Newark-Star Ledger, Alex Rodriguez hit “several long homers” during a batting practice session Saturday.