Yanks avoid sweep with 3-2 walk-off

So, Michael Kay was doubly wrong today in questioning Joe Girardi NOT using Jorge Posada to pinch-hit in the 9th inning of today’s game.   First, Nick Swisher hit a 2-run walk-off into the O’s bullpen.   Second, and most ominous for Yankees fans, Girardi revealed after the game that Jorge was unavailable to pinch-hit today because he was feeling post-concussion symptoms after getting hit with a foul ball yesterday.  Girardi also said that Posada went to visit a neurologist for his symptoms – another scary sounding situation.  The fact that the Yankees have to hop a plane to Texas for their next series brings Posada’s availability into question.  See Bay, Jason…and Church, Ryan for some prime examples of the bad that can come from a player suffering from post-concussion symptoms flying anywhere.  Stay tuned for updates on Jorge’s head.

As for Swisher, it wasn’t exactly Kirk Gibson, but it was hard not to see some similarity as Swish gimped around first base – still feeling the effects of his sore knee.  He had been in an 0-for-14 slump entering today’s game – without a hit since August 31st.  But, his 26th HR of the season still ties him for 2nd on the team with Robbie Cano, and his 82 RBI’s ties his output from last season.   Swish’s long ball might have hurt Buck Showalter the most.  You can bet your bottom dollar that the O’s manager would have LOVED to sweep the Yankees in Yankee Stadium.

Ivan Nova bounced back nicely from last game’s early hook and the postgame sulking that ensued.   The rookie gave up 3 of the 6 hits he allowed in the 5th inning – including the 2-run shot by Matt Wieters.  60 of Nova’s 91 pitches were strikes, and AGAIN, the Yanks pen was strong.  David Robertson, Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain combined for 3 scoreless, hitless innings.  Sergio Mitre’s 1 run allowed on Sunday is the only run the Yanks bullpen has allowed in 8 games this month.  It seems to be that whoever Girardi throws out on the mound in relief seems to be the right guy for the job.  And, what was a question mark not too long ago, looks like it may have answered itself.

Notes:
The last time the Orioles swept a 3-game set in the Bronx was June 6-8th of 1986.  The starters in those games for the Yanks were Ron Guidry, Tommy John and Ed Whitson.

The last walk-off HR Swisher hit was exactly a year ago today – September 8th of last season, Swish took Dan Wheeler deep in a win over the Rays.

Before the game Girardi announced that Dustin Moseley will start Sunday and Phil Hughes will be skipped in the rotation and pitch next Wednesday.   That means Moseley gets to face Cliff Lee.   Advantage?   Yankees!