Four spot of Baseball ^_^

I didn't write anything for yesterday because our family had Canadian Thanksgiving on Sunday. Plus, I was enjoying watching the Forty Niners destroy the HoriBills.

ALDS - Yankees vs Orioles: Game 1

Russell Martin (left) puts the Yankees ahead with
a solo homerun, the first of five runs scored in the ninth inning
to give the Yankees the victory over the Orioles in Game 1 of the ALDS

I thought home field advantage meant playing the first two games of the series at your ballpark, but this year that isn't the case as the AL East Champion New York Yankees stole their first game against the Baltimore Orioles by a 7-2 scoreline. I say "stole" because, until the top of the ninth inning, both teams were tied when normally reliable Oriole closer Jim Johnson gave up five runs to the Bronx Bombers, including a solo home run to Canadian Russell Martin to put the Yankees ahead o_O

Johnson never had a year quite like 2012: An MLB best fifty-one saves, 2.49 ERA, and a lights out 1.02 WHIP put Johnson among the year's elite relief pitchers. The postseason is a different matter, however, and if the Yankees were a heavyweight boxing champion they would be "Smokin' Joes". I call this a rare misstep by Johnson, but for many of the Baltimore Orioles the playoffs are virgin territory. I expect them to rebound tonight with Wei-Yin Chen starting for the Birds in Game 2 against...Andy Pettitte?! Oh dear o_O

ALDS - Athletics vs Tigers: Game 2

Coco Crisp's uncharacteristic error was the keynote play
in the Athletics' Game 2 defeat to the Tigers yesterday. Oakland
heads westward down two games to none in their American League
Division Series with Detroit.

Verlander pitched the Tigers to a 3-1 victory in Game 1; it was an expected Tiger game played on Saturday with no nonsense pitching and clutch hitting. Game 2, however, ended in dramatic fashion with a walk-off sac fly by Don Kelly in the bottom of the ninth to give the Tigers a 5-4 victory. Critics argue the game would have a different ending had Coco Crisp's pathetic, running attempt at a basket catch on a short fly to center field by Miguel Cabrera not gone awry. The gaffe scored two Tigers base runners, gave Detroit the lead, and left Triple Crown winner and hands down MVP Miguel Cabrera with a shocked look on his face! Rangers star Josh Hamilton misjudged a similar flyball to the Athletics a week ago, which gave Oakland the AL West division title. This attempt at Willie Mays mimicry was a careless mistake, plain and simple.

NLDS - Nationals vs Cardinals: Game 1

Nats pinch-hitter Tyler Moore (57) watches his clutch hit
sail to right field to score two runs, and give Washington
the lead for good in Game 1 versus the Cardinals.

This was less about Washington's first postseason victory since 1933, and more about missed opportunities by the St. Louis Cardinals to start their NLDS against the Nationals on a winning note. The visiting Nationals won 3-2 over the defending world champions thanks to a pinch-hit single by Tyler Moore in the eighth inning. One short half inning before, the Cardinals had the bases loaded with no outs with Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus on the hill. On paper, if you work the count against Mattheus, you can score runs (12.00 ERA in only three innings pitched in bases loaded situations for Mattheus), but Allen Craig and Yadier Molina each hacked at the first pitch they saw resulting in a force out at home, and an inning-ending double play respectively. St. Louis has the experience and bat strength to win Game 2; hopefully, they can even the series. As for the remaining three games in Washington, I don't know.

NLDS - Reds vs Giants: Game 2

Cincinnati Reds players celebrate another postseason victory,
and head back to Ohio with a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five ALDS with
the San Francisco Giants.

Finally, the most complete team effort this postseason coming out of PNC Park in San Francisco, but it wasn't the Giants! Brandon Phillips' stellar leadoff performance in Game 1 got the Reds rolling to a 5-2 win; Bronson Arroyo also kick started their Game 2 victory with seven innings of mastery in their 9-0 drop kicking of the Giants fanning four batters, and relinquishing only one hit and one walk.

Perhaps it's just me, but there is something to be said about dudes named Phil. What do you say, Brandon Phillips? ^_^