GAME 63: BOOM!

Yankees 15, Mets 0
Box Score/Recap


Two big stories from today’s blowout win: the first is that the Yankees bounced back from their offensive woes by absolutely hammering the best pitcher in the National League for nine runs in three innings. Simply put, it was the worst performance of Johan Santana’s career. The Yankees took note of the Mets’ six runs on seventeen hits from yesterday and did them one (or nine) better, scoring fifteen runs on seventeen hits of their own today. Overall, some very, very productive hitting from the lineup.

The second story, of course, is A.J. Burnett, who dominated the Mets for seven shutout innings, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out eight. Contrast this with his last start against the Red Sox, in which he was pulled after just 2.2 innings and left the game with the Yankees down 5-0. Considering how the Yankees’ pitching has fared in this week’s rotation (dismally, other than CC Sabathia), we can hope that Burnett’s start today is the harbinger of a better turn for the starters. Maybe the bullpen won’t have to pitch so many innings this time around.

Thoughts from the game:

• Francisco Cervelli keeps impressing me every time he plays. Not only does he handle his pitchers superbly (his first ever Major League start was Sabathia’s complete-game shutout earlier this season in Baltimore), but he’s been far, far better with the bat than anyone could have anticipated. He went two-for-two against Santana today, then added a third hit in the seventh to go three-for-five on the day. He hit under .250 over his entire career in the minor leagues, and yet he’s somehow batting .298 against Major League pitching this season (albeit in limited at-bats). And plus, he’s just fun to watch behind the plate.
• Speaking of the young guys playing well, Ramiro Pena has been just a delight to watch in the field. Robinson Cano looked pretty slick on that play, too.
• Nick Swisher is causing some damage out there in right field.
• Joba Chamberlain’s kid must be having the time of his life watching his dad pitch.

The Yankees have an off day and then play the Nationals at home, and even though they’re inexplicably sending Chien-Ming Wang out there for another start, I have to say I like the Yankees’ chances of sweeping this series, especially with CC on the mound for the opener.