Yankees take game one!

After a 23 hour rain delay, game one of the Yankees/Detroit ALDS resumed. When the game was suspended Friday night, the score was tied 1-1 in the middle of the second inning. It disrupted both teams pitching lineup, with the Jim Leyland and Joe Giradi being forced to use their starters for the second game- ex-Seattle Mariner Doug Fister and Super Rookie Ivan Nova.

There was no national anthem and ceremonial pitch whatsoever when the game resumed. Jorge Posada led off the inning with a single and Russell Martin followed up by hitting a double to left center field, setting up Posada into scoring position. However, the Tigers defense was too good, as Brett Gardner grounded to third on a fielders choice but reached base, and Posada was thrown out at home plate, preventing the runner from scoring. Fister struck out Derek Jeter and MVP candidate Curtis Granderson, stranding two men on base. Rough start to the continuation of game one.

Ivan Nova, who was tabbed as nothing but a fifth starter has worked his way up with his strong pitching to the second starter on the team behind CC Sabathia, and he sure proved his worth yet again. He worked six scoreless innings, including two straight innings having no men on base and shutting down the order on strikes, ground outs and fly outs. The Yankees drew first blood of the day in the bottom of the fifth inning, breaking open the tie with Robinson Cano hitting a double to deep left field, scoring Curtis Granderson. The fans backed off carefully to avoid interfering with the ball- smart move. I'm sure they knew what happened to Steve Bartman when he tried to catch the ball in Wrigley Field back in 2003, and instantly became Chicago's most hated for the rest of his life. Until now, who can forget what he did?

One inning later, the game was blown open, Bronx Bombers had their bats heated up and chased Doug Fister. This is how it went: Mark Teixeira doubled, then Nick Swisher struck out, Fister walked Posada, Martin grounded out to shortstop, Brett Gardner singled, scoring Posada and Teixeira, Derek Jeter singled, then successfully stole second base, Granderson walked, loading the bases and Jim Leyland made a pitching change to bring on a reliever to face Robinson Cano who was up next to bat. At this point in time, the Yankees were up 4-1, with two men out.

All hell broke loose and Tiger nation was screaming fits when Cano had the ball going, going, gone into the seats in right field. Grand slam! Damage was done. However, Cano was not yet finished for the night- he hit a double to center field, driving in Derek Jeter. RBI total for the night: 6. What a monster. Detroit showed some sign of life when they scored two runs in the top of the 9th inning, but it was too late. Mariano Rivera pitched the final out, only needing three pitches to strike out the final man, after Luis Avila had trouble getting the last out, Ivan Nova had previously loaded the bases with one man out before Joe Giradi decided it was the end of the night, a splendid job done for a player in his first career postseason start. There will be many more starts and gems from Nova. This is only the beginning. He tipped his cap as he headed back to the dugout, to the adoring crowd.