Los Angeles Angels edge past New York Yankees 2-1; remain optimistic for postseason – MLB Update
The New York Yankees got a scare when the Los Angeles Angels defeated the American League leaders 2-1 in a crunch game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Friday, September 9 to gain a precious lead in the three-game series.
The Angels are now just 2.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the West and have a fair chance of making it through to the postseason. A win in this series would bring them closer to this achievement and the Yankees will now be wary of a possible clash with
the Angels in the playoffs.
Jered Weaver produced a magical spell form the mound, pitching eight innings to give away just three hits and one run to a star-studded Yankees’ line-up. Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez failed to produce a single hit in a test of their
ability against a top-quality pitcher. Derek Jeter went 1-for-4 in the game and later praised Weaver, saying that if you look-up for “pitcher” in a dictionary, you are likely to find Weaver’s picture.
Weaver was hammered for a 429-feet home-run down left-field by Yankees rising-star Jesus Montero to give the visitors a crucial lead in the game. Weaver, however, was strong enough not to let this hit come big on him and did not allow a scoring opportunity
thereon. However, he was unlucky not to win the game after such an inspiring spell.
Yankees have been short of a pitcher this season but Bartolo Colon impressed in his start to reduce worries for the management. He produced a mesmerising spell of seven innings to make a solid assertion of his ability to perform on the big stage. He kept
the Angels at bay until the fifth inning when Peter Bourjos scored for the home team to level the game at 1-1.
Jordan Walden came in to close the game for the Angels and pitched a perfect ninth give his team an advantage in the last inning. The Angels required just one run to seal victory and Maicer Izturis ensured that through a well-judged RBI under pressure, allowing
Jeremy Moore to complete the decisive run.
The Angels lead the three-game series 1-0.
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