Curtis Granderson backs Allan James Burnett up in must win situation – MLB Playoffs
Winning a game at a crucial time requires a little luck and strong back up along with dedicated effort and perfect pitching, the message was true for the New York Yankees Allan James Burnett.
Burnett might have been in another mood, if he would not have Curtis Granderson in the centre-field position to defend his mistakes. The right-hand pitcher was competing for his survival in the Yankees squad, as there was a lot of criticism over his presence
in the club.
In the bottom of the first inning, when the game was scoreless, Burnett first allowed a walk to Austin Jackson and then intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera before tossing a low fast ball to Don Kelly. He managed lined it out to centre-field, Curtis Granderson
ran backward, aimed and dived to grab the ball. This might have given the Tigers’ an early lead, enough to destabilise the Yankees’ camp, but Granderson worked his best to take the Yankees back into the season.
"Don Kelly put a great swing on the ball to the middle of the field and hit it really hard," Granderson said. "Talking to Andruw Jones, you know, probably one of the greatest center fielders, he said that's one of the toughest balls, too, because you don't
know if it's going to fall in front of you or take off like it did, and somehow I was able to stay in the right spot and make a play on it."
The centre-fielder was a part of the Tigers’ roaster in 2006, when the club won the World Series. Detroit traded him to the Yankees in 2009 as a three-team deal. Granderson became the strongest contender of the MVP, touching 41 home-runs in the regular season.
The great hitter also put an impact with his glove, helping Burnett, who was making this game only because the first game was suspended, to win a vital inning.
After Burnett managed to escape without allowing any further runs, Rafael Soriano relieved him in the sixth inning. Don Kelly was on first base, when Johnny Peralta smashed a fly to left-field. Granderson rushed and made an even better jump to grab the ball
again, saving the Yankees for the second time in a single outing. It was a tremendous performance by Granderson as he threw himself at the ball on both occasions. He managed to stop the ball with his athleticism and competitive drive in this crucial outing.
Granderson also scored an RBI single to make his impression with the bat. Having such a back up from the fielding side will help the Yankees take the ALDS title from Detroit.
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