Rundown 8/9/09

Non-Existent Playoff Match-Up:
New York Yankees eat the Boston Red Sox alive, 5-2
At least we led for 10 minutes. The first time the Red Sox have led in a game since the third inning of Thursday's 13-6 loss to the Yanks. Victor Martinez's two-run bomb in the 8th gave the Sox a one-run lead (and ended a 31-inning scoreless streak). But in the bottom of the inning, Daniel Bard (whom I immediately dropped from my fantasy team for personal reasons, along which being he has sucked of late) retired the first two batters easily, then promptly served up a solo homer to Johnny Damon. Darn, says Boston, now we may not win. Next pitch goes out of the yard, crushed by Mark Teixeira. The Yankees tacked on two more insurance runs, but it wasn't needed. Mariano Rivera got the save in the 9th. Andy Pettitte pitched 7 scoreless innings to get the no-decision. The Sox are now 6.5 games behind New York in the East, and tied with Texas in the Wildcard.

Pitching Performance of the Night:
Derek Holland, TEX: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
Holland was masterful last night against LA's dangerous offense, throwing a complete game, 3-hit shutout. He only needed 96 pitches, 73 of which were strikes. All three of the hits against him were singles. Holland's ERA now stands at 5.04, lowered from 5.60.
Honor. Mention: Javier Vasquez, ATL: 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Offensive Performance of the Night:
Michael Cuddyer, MIN: 4 for 5, 2 HR, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI vs. Detroit
Michael Cuddyer continues his resurgence year, going 4 for 5 last night with 3 extra-base hits. After hitting 3 homers all of 2008, he has 19 so far this year with almost twice as many RBI (56) and a + .30 BA (.277). He even hit for the cycle back in May. Nights like this cement Cuddyer's status as one of the more underrated players in the game.
Honor. Mention: Franklin Gutierrez, SEA: 3 for 5, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI