Game Three ALCS: Ace

Cliff Lee:  8 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, 13 strikeouts.  Imagine what those numbers would have looked like if the home plate umpire did not have a tight strike zone.

The Yankees took a different approach from the way the Rays attacked Lee.  While the Rays swung early in counts, trying to get a hit before falling behind, the Yankees took pitches, worked the count, fouled off lots of 2-strike pitches, and boosted Lee's pitch count.  That was a very effective strategy.  You have to think that the Yankees wanted to extend Lee's pitch count early, get him out of the game, even if at a small deficit, and try their luck against the Rangers bullpen again.

However, Cliff Lee doesn't work on a pitch count.  He will let you know when he's done.  He was ready to go out there for the bottom of the 9th, but the Rangers tacked on six big insurance runs, which made the notion of putting Lee back on the mound to eclipse 130 pitches unnecessary.

Neftali Feliz came in with the stadium about 90% empty and with an eight run lead and looked about as comfortable as he has so far this postseason.  That's about the only scenario when I'm comfortable with him on the mound at this point.  But it's getting better.

On the offensive side, Josh Hamilton had three huge at bats, capped off by the 2-run homerun in the top of the 1st to give Lee all the cushion he would need.  Hamilton's fly ball to the wall in the 6th looked better off the bat than the one that did get out, but he just didn't barrel it up.  Don't forget his at bat in the 9th, either.  He faced Logan, the Yankees' only lefty in the bullpen, and after starting with a 3-0 count, he worked it full, then shortened up and punched a ball past the Gardner in left for a lead off double.  That ignited the Rangers 6-run outburst, which put this one out of reach.

Michael Young also had a very good game, getting singles in his first three ABs, giving Hamilton the chance to bat with someone on base each time.

I've got to mention the effort by Andy Pettitte for the Yankees tonight.  He pitched better than the other two New York starters, and probably would have beaten any other starter on the Rangers staff tonight.  He seemed to show some stiffness or discomfort after certain pitches, flailing his left arm to loosen it up.  But if he was less than 100%, his numbers didn't show it.  That guy is good.

Make no mistake about it, this was a must-win game for the Rangers.  Every game that Lee starts is one the Rangers have to win if they are going to get where they want to go.

This series is still a long way from being over, and the Yankees are by no means going to lay down and let the Rangers take the series.  That being said, I'd much rather be in our shoes up 2-1 than the other way around.  If this series goes to a seventh game, I like our chances.