New York Yankees 2012 regular season review – Part 38
After taking an embarrassing series defeat against the Toronto Blue Jays, Joe Girardi was expecting his men to regroup and fight back in Game 1 of their next three match series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Showing great composure and character, the Yankees shutout the Reds 4-0 in the opener to take a vital 1-0 series lead. Yankees’ starting pitcher Andy Pettitte dominated the Reds’ batting lineup allowed just four hits and eight scoreless innings, laying the
foundations of an impressive New York’s victory. Striking out nine batters, he kept Reds on the defensive with his well directed fastballs and slider.
Relief pitcher Boone Logan also played his part as he pitched the perfect ninth, helping his side hold on to a four run lead comfortably. Reds’ starter Bronson Arroyo was outpitched by his counterpart from New York. Overall, he allowed nine hits and four
runs in seven plus innings to take his second loss of the season. Relief pitcher Jose Arredondo pitched 0.1 shutout inning.
"I felt like I could do this, and now it's just like I feel like the mind's getting back there," a beaming Pettitte said after his 241st win. "I'm just hoping and praying the body holds up."
"When I caught him, years and years ago, it was fastball, cutter and really curveball. He's got so many more weapons to go to," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I thought he could bring some stabilization to our rotation. And I think he'll do that just
because of who he is, his personality, his will, his focus. We are a different rotation with him."
Alex Rodriguez provided the Yankees with a dream start as he grounded out to shortstop in the fourth inning o break the deadlock and put his side on the board. Robinson Cano also made his presence felt with a home run to right in the eighth inning.
Raul Ibanez also played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash as he hit a two run home run to right in the eighth. Reds had a large number of scoring opportunities but they were unable to take advantage of them.
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