A playoff-like game (Yanks 4, Mariners 2)

This was the kind of game that we should see in the playoffs.

1. Solid starting pitching for 6+ innings.
After the first inning Pettitte was in control, striking out 10 Mariners even without his best stuff. He pitched for 6 innings and allowed 2 runs, both in the first.

2. The Hughes/Bruney/Coke/Robertson/Aceves quintet stifling the opposition in the pivotal 7th and 8th innings.

Today it was Bruney and Hughes and came on and did what they're supposed to do: Bring the heat and blow people away.

3. A Mariano execution.

Mo came on and, ever so gently, put the Mariners to bed.

4. Shortening the opposing starter's outing.

The Yankees took pitches, worked deep counts, fouled balls off, and grabbed opportunities as best they could against a very good pitcher who was having a superb game.

5. Executing at the plate in the last 1/3 of the game against the opposition's bullpen.

The great teams always do. Someone always comes through to win the game. That's the man who gets the pie in the face. And if it had been at Yankee Stadium, it would have been Mr. Teixeira, who came to the plate with a home run on his mind, much like he must have against Boston in that final dramatic game, and delivered the goods.

Yankee Baseball.