DETROIT: How important was the Yankees’ game against the Detroit Tigers yesterday?
Even the ever-cool closer, Mariano Rivera, a man not prone to hyperbole, called the Yankees’ 7-0 victory a “must-win.”
Sure, there are 156 games left for the Yankees, but after they lost four of their first five, with half their team hurt, they felt the urgency to salvage the series finale against Justin Verlander.
And they got the best possible person to deliver a terrific performance — their ace, CC Sabathia.
The big lefty threw seven scoreless innings and perhaps eased some concerns of those who hang on every tick of the radar gun when Sabathia pitches.
Sure, Sabathia’s fastball only hit 92 mph yesterday, but he proved he can be effective without his mid-90s heat.
He was more precise with his slower stuff than he was in his disappointing Opening Day start and he kept the vaunted Tiger lineup off balance on a sunny afternoon at Comerica Park.
“I think CC really has a lot of pride in what he does and understands the ace role and that we needed to win a game today,” Joe Girardi said.
The Yanks got surprise offense from Jayson Nix, who was 3-for-4, including a two-run homer off Verlander, and Francisco Cervelli, who knocked in two runs. Kevin Youkilis, their best hitter so far, added a two-run single and Ichiro Suzuki hit a sac fly. The Yanks’ seven runs and 13 hits were season-highs.
“We need days like that,” Cervelli said. “When they can pitch like that, I know everybody can support the guys like Andy (Pettitte) the other day and CC today. I believe this next week, everything is going to change.”
Sabathia’s fastball topped out at 91 mph on Opening Day, prompting some concern.
Yesterday, he hit 92 four times, according to MLB.com’s Gameday tracker, and mostly threw it between 88-91 mph.
Still, he only gave up four hits and three walks while striking out four.
He threw 68 of his 114 pitches for strikes. Agencies
