Phil Hughes put on a remarkable performance Sunday night in relief of and injured Roger Clemens. If Hughes felt any pressure, he didn't show it. Anyone here going to mind watching this guy pitch for the next 15 years? His line for the game was 3.2 innings, 2 hits, 4 K, 0 BB, 0 ER.
Indeed, the youngster may have saved the Yankee season.
With the Yanks facing two more elimination games, they received more great news after the game when Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge confirmed that he will stick with Paul Byrd tomorrow night rather then bring back C.C. Sabathia on 3 days rest.
You never can tell with baseball, but this should be a huge break for the Yanks. Byrd is a back-of-the-rotation guy without much zing at all. He's the kind of guy the Yanks have feasted on all season.
In Byrd's lone start against the Yanks this year, he surrendered 7 earned runs in just two innings. In his last ten starts this year, Byrd pitched to a 5.65 ERA, with 75 hits in 57.1 innings. For the season, opponents have hit .301 against him.
Torre managed a great game tonight. He removed Clemens before he could do more damage. He employed the bunt in the one situation where it made sense (pinch hitting Doug M. for Giambi.) He had no problem getting Joba right back out there for two innings.
Tomorrow night, expect to see Joba for one inning and Mariano for two, if needed.
On Joe Torre's post-game conference, he made it clear that Wang will get the start at home for Game 4. He told reporters: "Wang is pitching tomorrow. We'll get him to pitch at the Stadium. He's a 19-game winner. Moose will back him up. We will really rely on Wanger."
This is the right move for sure. Wang is a much different pitcher at Yankee Stadium, with an ERA 2 runs better in the Bronx. Three days rest may even help his sinker. Pettitte for Game #5 is a no-brainer too. So no real surprises here.
The Yanks will have a decision to make about Roger Clemens, Torre said he thought Clemens may be able to be replaced on the current roster, but then he would not be available again until the World Series.
The Yanks have to "disable" Rocket. If they do make it to the ALCS, there is no way that Roger will be ready. The Yanks can't risk it and the money he makes doesn't matter now.
Figure on Ron Villone joining the team. Ian Kennedy hasn't pitched in awhile and he's on his honeymoon.
As far as Phil Hughes, Torre said, "He showed us something the other day in Game #1 when he did a heck of a job…to do what he did tonight, he looked like a seasoned pro. You look into his eyes and he is not surprised."
When asked about the comments from the Boss that his job was on the line, Joe said "When you work here you understand the pressure you're under. I just want my players to roll the dice. But the players are human beings. They are not machinery. Blood goes through their vines. It's my job to make sure they realize giving all they have is all they can do."
On Damon, Torre said: "Johnny is such a good pressure guy. He sits there with a clear mind and a plan. When he got healthy you see the difference he has made."
If you want to look for the keys for Game 4, it's important that the Yanks get to Byrd early. They must have the lead in the late innings. They have no answer to the lefty Raphael Perez. Perez is available tonight and has gone: 5 IP, 5K, 0 ER.
The Yanks don't have a lefty in the pen to match Perez. And Ron Villone certainly wasn't the answer. I'm surprised they didn't go after J.C. Romero when he was available.
By the way, if you didn't read it, Curt Schilling had an interesting take on A-Rod's postseason woes:
"You look at what Alex has done this year in New York, one of the best single seasons in the history of the game. The media there couldn't wait for six at-bats. He's 0-for-6. They had three hits (Friday). The focal point of the New York media is that Alex has screwed it up again.
"We know as players that's not how it works."
And so it goes, Jeter can fail and he gets a free pass. Not so for Alex. A-Rod is the best player in baseball, but he can't do it alone.
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