Yanks beat Texas -- leads to Fantasy Rollercoaster

by user Pean

In real baseball news, Mike Mussina pitched another excellent game for the Yankees, coming out of the game in the 8th

inning with an at-the-time comfortable 8-1 lead. However, the Yanks bullpen almost gave away the game, letting The

Texas Rangers climb all the way back to 8-7. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who entered the game in the 8th, was able

to settle down after allowing a few hits to nail down the save.

After Moose left the game with a runner on and no outs, here is how the Yankees bullpen performed in the 8th inning.

Aaron Small - 3 Hits, 3 ER Kyle Farnsworth - 1 Hit, 1 BB, 2 ER (let in by Rivera) Mariano Rivera - 2 Hits, 1 HBP, 2 Inherited Runs Scored

Derek Jeter had 2 RBI and 2 runs, and Alex Rodriguez had 3 RBI to lead the Yankees hitting attack.

Mussina got his 229th career victory.

Texas starter Vincente Padilla was tagged with the loss, struggling with control walking 5 batters, allowing 6 hits and 7 ER in 3 and 2/3 innings.

In fake baseball news: Now I have been doing fantasy baseball for about 8 years, but a Yanks fan for as long as I can

remember. For some reason, I never seem to have any Yanks on my fantasy teams. One theory, is that I try to avoid

"picking with my heart" (like a Giants fan picking Shockey in the 2nd round of a fantasy football draft), and I

overcompensate. At the end of the draft, I realize I have no Yankees. No big deal -- I follow the team just as usual

(except for the occasional "My ace pitcher is facing my favorite team" fantasy condundrum -- I think a whole article

can be devoted to this). Anyway, this season I decide to take Mo Rivera pretty early as my top closer, and take a

chance on Moose in the later rounds. So, every 5th day, I have a chance to get the 'ol "win and a save" in the same

game, and the disastrous "your closer blowing your starters win" game (plus, in my league we do Saves minus Blown

saves -- so, blown saves are pretty much a kick in your fantasy nuts). Add in the fact that the Yankees are my

favorite team, multiply both scenarios by a hundred.

So tonight I turn on the Texas-New York game, and the Yankees are cruising with an 8-1 lead in the 5th inning. Here

are my fantasy baseball crazed thoughts (I hope some of you can relate -- if not, please organize an intervention on

my behalf).

Yankees up 8-1 in the 5th: "Ok, Moose seems to be cruising again.  I see I already got a win out of Schilling, this

should be 2 Wins Tonight! Man, I should've put in Baez instead of Otsuka -- I can only get 1 save out of this game.

Oh well, its 8-1 and I should get the win from Mussina...looks like no saves for me tonight.

Moose comes out of the game in the 8th: "Ok its 8-1. I would gladly trade in that ER right now if it led to a Rivera

save. 4 more Texas runs and its a save sitch. Texas is good, but its still 8-1."

Farnsorth strikes out Texiera: "Ok 2 outs, in an 8-3 game with bases loaded. Ok Bring in Rivera!  Tying run is on

deck so its a save sitch! Wow I'm getting a huge break!"

Farnswoth walks Nevin: "Ok 8-4 now. Mo comes in!  Mo can definetly get one out here.  No big deal."

Blalock singles to right: "Urgh. 8-6 Yanks. It's OK.  Not Rivera's ER at least".

Kevin Mench up now: "I can see him getting fatter. Crappy single to left center!! No!!!! 8-7 Yanks.  I am now one

more hit away from the dreaded "BLOWN SAVE" (by the way, I had Fransisco Cordero on my team for the month of April).

Wilkerson up with men on first and second, and an 0-2 count: "Ok, he's leading the universe in K's, so I think I'm

good here. Rivera hit him in the elbow! Noooo! Bases loaded AGAIN"

Barajas Up: "Makes contact, OH MY ITS A HIT UP THE MIDDLE...BLOWN SAVE AND NO WIN!....WHEW Cano gets it and flips for the final out in the 8th."

Bernie grounds into double play in the top of the 9th: "No closer-insurance runs. ugh"

Matthews Jr singles in the 9th with 1 out: "If he steals second, one hit blows everything"

Michale Young up: "Ground ball to deep short...Jeter makes an excellent grab to his right, makes a crazy throw to Cano across his body as he drifts into the outfield....OUT AT 2nd! What a freaking amazing play! And everyone says Jeter is an average SS".

Texeira Up: "Texas' best hitter vs. our best pitcher. Bring. It. On.  Lined out to right!  Yankees win.  W for Moose,  SV for Rivera.  Go fantasy team! Go Yankees!"

I think I now know why I never drafted Yankee players. My name is David, I am a fantasy baseball-a-holic. I apoligize If this article is asinine, unfunny, boring and incoherent. It's Cinco De Mayo, so technically a Corona wrote this.

Date
Fri 05/05/06, 8:48 pm EST