2 games in 1 (Indians 10, Yanks 2)

Its seemed like two games were played yesterday at the grand opening for the New Yankee Stadium.

The first game was an amazing pitching duel between two of the best. Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia went pitch for pitch, strikeout for strikeout, hit for hit, run for run. Though the opposing offenses were able to work walks and deep counts, Lee and Sabathia persevered, each throwing over 110 pitches into the 6th inning while keeping a stranglehold on the game. What I like most about pitching duels is that when they occur, they magnify the importance of every play that is made in the game. Every error, every hit, every great play in the field becomes a key to victory. Unfortunately, it also means that umpires also have a greater impact on the result.

Luck and the umpires ruled the second game. Edwar Ramirez replaced Sabathia in the 6th and promptly dominated every hitter he faced. The problem was, he couldn't get an out. The Indians were lucky over and over again, reaching base on strange errors and slow squibblers just out of the reach of the infielders. Ramirez's pitch count ballooned and Phil Coke was brought in. Then Veras.

Veras let two runners reach base and then struck out Jonny Peralta looking. However the umpire called that pitch a ball, Veras was forced to throw one out over the plate on the next 3-2 pitch, Peralta launched it into Central Park and 5 minutes later Marte came on and the game was a blowout. That's baseball, I guess.

In a game this close, an umpire's incompetence in calling balls and strikes can have a profound effect on the outcome. Add to that the extremely unlucky outing by Ramirez and you have a very strange game indeed.

We should give respect to Cliff Lee, who pitched great in a tough atmosphere. He's a big game pitcher for sure. His opponent, Sabathia, did not have the same control of his pitches, though CC did show some toughness in overcoming his mistakes and minimizing the damage in a high-profile game. My question is: Has CC always had this much difficulty with his control? If not, who should we blame? CC for choking? Or Eiland for his poor coaching?