Game 127: Yankees Look To Take Second Straight On Joe Torre Day

Aug 22, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Martin Prado (right) and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) react after Prado hit a walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Overview

The Yankees snatched victory from certain defeat Friday night in the Bronx, during their opening game of the weekend’s three-game set with the visiting Chicago White Sox. Shane Greene gave up three early runs, and the Bombers clawed their way back, culminating in a walk-off victory that has pulled the sagging pinstripers to within 3 games of the second and final Wild Card spot in the American League. With 35 games remaining, the Yankees are going to need all of the magic that they can muster together, in an attempt to pull off one of the great comebacks in franchise history.

This Yankees’ team has underperformed at the plate, been injury-plagued on the mound all season, and aloof when it comes to taking ownership, until a recent players-only meeting perhaps cleared the air. The Yankees are 2-0 since that meeting, and have put up 7 total runs, while allowing only the three that Chicago scored Friday night. While it’s not the 20-6 outburst by the Minnesota Twins against the Detroit Tigers Friday night, two wins are two wins, and if the Yankees continue to win, it doesn’t matter if they score 4 or 40.

Saturday will be a special day for both the franchise and their fans. Prior to the start of the game, the Yankees will retire former manager Joe Torre‘s #6 jersey, and unveil his plaque in Monument Park. He will be joined by another of his former players soon, when Derek Jeter‘s #2 joins Torre’s number, as the final single-digit jersey ever issued by the New York Yankees. Torre was enshrined in Cooperstown last month, and this is the cherry on top of that Hall of Fame cake. Perhaps the Yankees can honor their former skipper by coming out fired up, and prepared to jump on another mediocre pitcher for the White Sox.