The Ghost have settled in nicely

The biggest worry about moving across the street in the Bronx was whether or not the ghost of Yankee Stadium would make the trip next door. Its become apparent that they've settled in nicely (and perhaps had left the old Stadium a little early after last year's failed playoff push). Game two of the ALCS ended as 16 to 17 other games in the Bronx have ended this year, with a little walk off magic. Melky Carbrera pushed a sharply hit, but double play turanable grounder out to second base but the rain and cold have been playing havoc on the Angels D this weekend and Izturis threw the ball away allowing Hairston Jr to round third and score a 13th inning game wining run in the 5:00 marathon. In a game where Jeter passed both Reggie and the Mick in post season home runs and A-rod hit his third late game tieing (or winning) home run of the post season, this game will be remembered for yet another walk off win The Bronx has been filled with drama this summer-turned-to-fall as starting in Mid May with a series with the Twins, its become extremely fashionable to leave things to the last at bat in NYC.

AJ Burnett was dominant for six of the seven innings he pitched, using two and four seamed fastballs and nasty breaking stuff to send the Angels hitters shaking their heads. The fifth inning did not go as plan as a lead off double by Aybar opened the door and a wild pitch removed a two run cushion and left the game tied. It could have been worse as walks had loaded the bases but Burnett was wild, not hittable and he managed to escape without further damage. Burnett left a tied game with a runner on in the seventh having tossed 6.1 of 3 hit ball. He's pitched twice in the post season this year both to the same effect, 6+ and tied. Considering we're handing the ball to Joba, Hughes and Mo, that's a solid start in my eyes. Besides, AJ has to save some strength in that right arm for the game winning walk off pie in the face (last night's/this morning's recipient was Jerry Hairston Jr).

As with the Twins series (and remarkably also in Game two, a Burnett start) the Bronx magic could not have been possible without the late inning heroics of Alex Rodriguez (it is officially bizarro world for A-rod) as an 11th inning game tieing home run to right field saved a game late for the third time this post season. A-rod tied game two of the ALDS off Joe Nathan with a two run shot to tie the game, You might as well toss another 40 plus save closer out late trying to finish off a win for the opposition and have A-rod and the Stadium Ghosts grasp it away yet again.

From the Burnett, to the pen, to Alex, Melky and the walk off, this game was a classic. Mistakes and weather riddled the box sheet as Jeter and Cano both botched infield hits that had the pen pick them up. The Angels were also sketchy around the middle infield and it cost them last night, and possibly the series. Two nothing holes are tough to climb out of, especially with the Ghost of Yankees past starring down from the Facade above.