San Francisco Giants 2– New York Yankees 1
On a historic day, the Yankees couldn’t find the storybook ending in today’s 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
With the ending of the ceremony honoring Mariano Rivera, the closer put it perfectly “Let’s play ball. I gotta go.” And game was underway. Another legendary Yankee took the mound as Andy Pettitte prepared for his final regular season start in Yankee Stadium. With a sharp slider, Andy Pettitte registered two strikeouts in a perfect opening inning. In fact, Andy Pettitte would get the first 14 consecutively out before the first baserunner, Pablo Sandoval, reached by a walk.
For the Giants, Yusmeiro Petit was attempting to match Pettitte zero for zero. In the third inning, Mark Reynolds broke the shutout with his 20th home run of the season.
After getting the first out in the sixth inning, rookie shortstop Ehrie Adrianza would hit his first career home run, ending Andy Pettitte’s bid at a no-hitter. He would settle right back down and get the next two outs but the game was tied.
In the seventh inning, Eduardo Nunez and Brendan Ryan would reach with singles. With one out, Lyle Overbay would initially pinch-hit for Chris Stewart but Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy began playing matchups. He brought in Javier Lopez and Joe Girardi countered with Vernon Wells. A passed ball would put Nunez and Ryan at second and third but Wells would strike out swinging. Ichiro Suzuki would come up next but he would strike out too, ending the threat.
Pablo Sandoval would hit a leadoff double to open the eighth inning off of Andy Pettitte and that was it. Joe Girardi emerged from the dugout to get Andy Pettitte.
With a roaring ovation, Andy Pettitte went to the Yankees dugout, greeted and embraced with a hug by the captain, Derek Jeter.With a wave of the cap he acknowledged the Yankees crowd that showed his appreciation for him for so many years. He received a warm welcome to the dugout as the crowd chanted for the 41-year-old Pettitte. He emerged one more time to acknowledge the faithful Yankees fans and let them say “thank you” one more time.
In seven innings, Andy Pettitte allowed one run on two hits with one walk and six strikeouts. David Robertson would get a ground out but the runner he inherited from Andy Pettitte would get to third base. Second baseman Tony Abreu would hit a deflating double to the right field corner that brought in the go-ahead run.
The second playing of “Enter Sandman” meant it was time for Mariano Rivera, the honored pitcher, to emerge from the bullpen. He would strike out Ehire Adrianza looking and Angel Pagan would fly out to center field with a sliding catch by Curtis Granderson.
In the bottom half of the eighth inning, the Yankees needed to score one run and Alex Rodriguez got the inning started with a single right up the middle. Zoilo Almonte would pinch run for Rodriguez. Robinson Cano would hit a double to right field that would bounce off the wall and go to Hunter Pence, holding Almonte at third base. With no outs, it seemed that the Yankees had an ideal setup for a comeback.
Alfonso Soriano would hit a ground ball to third baseman Nick Noonan, Zoilo Almonte would make a late break for home plate and would be easily tagged out. Curtis Granderson would strike out for the second out and Eduardo Nunez would hit a single to shallow left field. Third base coach Rob Thomson would send Robinson Cano home on the play and a strong throw by Juan Perez in left field would easily get Cano for the third out in a one-run game.
Mariano Rivera would pitch a scoreless ninth to give the Yankees another shot at pushing across at least one run. Sergio Romo would come on for the Giants. He got the first out with a ground ball to third and Brendan Ryan would pop out. The final out would come on J.R. Murphy striking out to put a sad ending to a memorable day.
The postseason hopes continue to fade just a little farther away with this loss as well.
Win – Javier Lopez (4-2)
Loss – Andy Pettitte (10-11)
Save – Sergio Romo (36)
Notables
Giants
*Tony Abreu – 1 for 3, 2B, RBI (9)
*Ehire Adrianza – 1 for 3, R, Solo Home Run (1) in the 6th, RBI (3)
Yankees
*Mark Reynolds – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (20) in the 3rd, RBI (65)
*Robinson Cano – 3 for 4, 2B
Current Yankees Record: 82-74
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