AL outduels NL, but not on east coast
May 23rd 2009 16:01
Interleague play started last night in dramatic fashion and the American League prevailed over the National League, winning eight of the 14 games. The most exciting game in the state of Texas where Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz hit a go-ahead home run in the 10th inning to defeat the Astros 6-5. Cruz was the hero of the night, but the player of the game went to Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus. The rookie had three hits, including his third home run, and made two outstanding defensive plays late in the game. The win for Texas snapped a three-game losing streak.
The American League finished the night with a better record, but the top teams in the AL East were dominated by the leaders in the NL East. The Phillies came into Yankee Stadium and defeated the Yankees, 7-3, to snap the Yankees nine-game winning streak. The Phillies took advantage of playing in the shoebox of the new Yankee Stadium, hitting four home runs that contributed to six of the seven runs scored. Jimmy Rollins actually opened the game with a lead-off home run. Every run the Yankees scored also came on home runs as Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez each hit solo long shots.
Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay threw seven scoreless innings, but failed to receive any run suppprt as Toronto was defeated, 1-0, against the Braves. Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami outdueled one of the top pitchers in the game, allowing just three hits in eight innings. Mike Gonzalez replaced Kawakami in the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.
Also the Mets went into Fenway Park on a four-game losing streak. and defeated the red-hot Red Sox, 5-3, behind Johan Santana. He held one of the top offenses to three runs, two earned, in seven innings pitched. The Mets' bullpen has the lowest ERA in the National League and continued to improve that statistic as Bobby Parnell and Francisco Rodriguez didn't allow a hit in the final two innings.
The NL East had the upperhand to start the series, but we shall see how it progresses for the next two days. On Saturday, Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.18 ERA) faces the Phillies and Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett (4-2, 5.85 ERA) starts against the Mets so the Yankees and Red Sox look to even the series'.
The American League finished the night with a better record, but the top teams in the AL East were dominated by the leaders in the NL East. The Phillies came into Yankee Stadium and defeated the Yankees, 7-3, to snap the Yankees nine-game winning streak. The Phillies took advantage of playing in the shoebox of the new Yankee Stadium, hitting four home runs that contributed to six of the seven runs scored. Jimmy Rollins actually opened the game with a lead-off home run. Every run the Yankees scored also came on home runs as Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez each hit solo long shots.
Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay threw seven scoreless innings, but failed to receive any run suppprt as Toronto was defeated, 1-0, against the Braves. Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami outdueled one of the top pitchers in the game, allowing just three hits in eight innings. Mike Gonzalez replaced Kawakami in the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.
Also the Mets went into Fenway Park on a four-game losing streak. and defeated the red-hot Red Sox, 5-3, behind Johan Santana. He held one of the top offenses to three runs, two earned, in seven innings pitched. The Mets' bullpen has the lowest ERA in the National League and continued to improve that statistic as Bobby Parnell and Francisco Rodriguez didn't allow a hit in the final two innings.
The NL East had the upperhand to start the series, but we shall see how it progresses for the next two days. On Saturday, Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.18 ERA) faces the Phillies and Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett (4-2, 5.85 ERA) starts against the Mets so the Yankees and Red Sox look to even the series'.
| 43 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
