It Was a Classic Pitcher’s Duel, But a Very Disappointing Loss

The Yankees took the rubber game of this shortened three game series with a 1-0 win. It was a classic pitcher’s duel and one that leaves me much more disappointed than any other loss this year.

Some thoughts:

• This is how the run scored in the seventh. Robinson Cano dribbled a ball through the infield that Ben Zobrist dove for, but couldn’t quite come up with. Jorge Posada then hit a short fly to center. It looked like B.J. Upton was trying to deke Cano into taking a bigger lead off of first by laying back. He caught it easily and then had Cano too far off the base. Upton’s throw was horrible, going into the dugout sending Cano to third. Shields got the clutch out when Russell Martin grounded out. Shields saw he had Cano picked off and threw over to third, but his throw was terrible and Cano virtually walked home with the winning run.
• But, honestly, how can I be mad? Two throws weren’t executed properly, but both players had the right idea and both guys have great arms. Upton had thrown out a runner at home earlier in the game. Shields has a great pickoff throw and he’s the only one I’ve seen who has successfully thrown to third like a left-hander throws to first. That play has worked earlier this year and probably will work again later.
• The Rays may not have won anyway because they couldn’t touch C.C. Sabathia. They got four hits and received one walk. That’s it. It didn’t help that Upton got picked off first and Sean Rodriguez was thrown out trying to steal third. Upton also got doubled off of first.
• I can’t say enough about James Shields though. The loss drops him to 8-7, but with a little more support, he could have at least 12 wins and he added another complete game to his resume. Without the unearned run, both guys might have pitched into extra innings.
• And finally, it was a very tough day for Brandon Guyer. He got called up so Maddon can add another right-hander to the lineup. He went 0 for 3 and then got sent back down to Durham right after the game.

Player of the Game: C.C. Sabathia, James Shields