May Day, But No Mayday for the Yankees

Before I get to last night's Yankee game, let me announce that I have postponed the "How To Be a Fan in... " trip guide that was due for the Mets' trip to Atlanta this weekend. The series starts in 2 days, and that's not enough lead time. I'll due it when their mid-June trip approaches, so, around June 10 or so.

Besides, after the Mets had back-to-back losses to the Miami Marlins, arguably the worst team in baseball, one in the bottom of the 15th inning after leading in the top, and then last night in the bottom of the 9th, I don't think they want to hear from me.

Now... After losing to the Houston Astros, arguably the worst team in the American League (and it is still weird to think of the Astros being in the AL), the Yankees needed a win last night.

Now, I am of the belief that the best defense is a good offense. But, cliche alert, "Pitching is 75 percent of baseball." The Houston Astros have, a few times in their history, proven that.

But it was Hiroki Kuroda who proved it last night. He threw 7 shutout innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts, to advance his record on the season to 4-1. In contrast, Philip Humber, the ex-Met who pitched a perfect game not that long ago, allowed 4 runs in 6 innings to fall to 0-6. Indeed, he has not appeared in a winning game for his team since July 28 of last year, getting a win for the Chicago White Sox over the Texas Rangers.

Travis Hafner singled home a run in the 1st, another in the 4th, and another in the 8th. In the 5th, Brennan Boesch got a run home on a groundout, and Jayson Nix singled another home. Lyle Overbay hit his 4th homer of the season in the 8th, and Chris Stewart and (as stated) Hafner singled home runs in that inning.

David Robertson came in for the 8th for the Yankees, but allowed a 2-run homer to Chris Carter. Shawn Kelley came in for the 9th, leading 7-2, but allowed 2 singles and a double, and the fans began to chant, "We want Mo! We want Mo! We want Mo!"

Joe Girardi put down the binder and consulted the fans. He pulled Kelley and brought in Mariano Rivera, who struck out Jason Castro to end it, 7-4 Yanks, and nail down his 10th save in as many appearances.

If it weren't for that big bald spot on the back of the head, I'd wonder if Mo had a painting in his attic of a terribly old man who looks a bit like him.

The Yankees finish April, a month that was supposed to be a very trying time for them due to all the injuries, just 2 games behind the Red Sox in the American League East.

Hey, I'm fine with that. I wouldn't even mind finishing August 2 games behind the Red Sox. We did that in 2011, remember? So even though this is May 1, there's no need for Yankee Fans to yell, "Mayday!"

The series concludes tonight, with David Phelps pitching against Erik Bedard.