New York Yankees 2012 regular season review – Part 17
After securing a historic series win against the arch rivals Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees were ready to tackle the hottest team in the American league West Division; the Texas Rangers.
Joe Girardi and his men showed no respect for the Rangers in Game 1 of the series as they cruised to a comfortable 7-4 win at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas on April 23.
Yankees’ ace C.C. Sabathia put up a fine performance against perhaps one of the best hitting line ups in the American League. Using his fastballs and sliders extremely effectively, the left hander struck out eight batters. Allowing just four earned runs
in eight innings, he played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash. Veteran relief pitcher Mariano Rivera pitched the perfect ninth to help the Yankees hold on to their lead three run lead.
Rangers’ starter Derek Holland looked a bit out of sorts as he allowed nine hits and seven runs in six innings to take his first loss of the season.
"I keep kidding him that it's like 1999 again -- three hits every day. He's amazing," Rodriguez said of the 37-year-old Jeter.
"He's playing like he's 25," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's off to a great start. He feels good physically and that's the most important thing."
"That's more CC-like. That's what we're used to seeing," Girardi said.
"He's been very consistent. That's a pretty good lineup," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "They do their business in that batter's box. They pick their spots and make you pay. And they made us pay tonight."
Curtis Granderson continued his marvellous hitting streak as he singled to centre in the first inning to put Yankees on the board. Nick Swisher hit a sacrifice fly to centre and Alex Rodriguez smacked a three run home run to left centre in the fifth inning
to extend New York’s lead to 6-1. Captain Derek Jeter also made his presence felt on the plate as he doubled to deep right in the sixth inning to wrap up an impressive win for his team.
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