By Mike Whiteman October 27, 2024 On this day in 1999, the Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 to complete their sweep of the World Series, repeating the feat from the last year, and the third Series win in four years. Roger Clemens, whose 14-10, 4.60 season wasn't quite what the Yankees had in mind when acquiring him at the beginning of Spring Training, pitched into the eighth inning, allowing only one run. This win culminated an 11-1 postseason run by Joe Torre's squad.
Big Story: Last offseason, the Yankees had two players on their radar: Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. As we know, the Yanks got Soto and he's had an MVP-type season. Yamamoto also played yesterday - for the Dodgers. He pitched into the seventh inning, allowing only hit and run - a Soto solo home run in the third inning.
Calos Rodon was on the hill for the Yankees. He's turned in a solid 2024 season, but his Achilles heel has been the long ball, and his 31 home runs allowed was second in all of MLB. It bit him again last night. Tommy Edman smacked solo home run to start the scoring in second. In the bottom of the third, Teoscar Hernandez ripped a two-run homer, and next batter Freddie Freeman hit a solo shot of his own to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. Aaron Boone went to the bullpen in the fourth, and Jake Cousins, Tim Hill, Clay Holmes and Mark Leiter Jr. held the Dodgers scoreless the rest of the way.
In a scary moment, Dodger star Shohei Ohtani injured his left shoulder sliding into second on an attempted steal in the seventh inning. This looks like a big deal, as he was visibly in pain on the ground and leaving the field. Lets hope this isn't as serious as it looks. If Ohtani is out for the series, this is a huge setback to the Dodgers, and they suddenly are bit more vulnerable.
After being held to only one hit for eight innings, the Yanks broke through in the ninth when Giancarlo Stanton drove in Soto who had led off the frame with a single. Jazz Chisholm singled, Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch and suddenly the Yankees were back in business, with the bases loaded. Alas, Anthony Volpe struck out, Jose Trevino (pinch hitting for Austin Wells) flew out to center field, and a comeback was not to be.
Last night's game goes to the Dodgers 4-2. They are now up two games to none.
Notable Performances: The bullpen really stepped up, allowing only two hits over 4 2/3 innings of work to keep the game close...Soto showed again why he is one of the better hitters in the game. I like the Yanks' chances with him against any pitcher.
Better to Forget: Aaron Judge's slump continues as he was hitless and struck out three times. Obviously, it will be difficult for the Yanks to come back and win the Series if he struggles.
They said it: "I love the at bats in the end; the compete; the fight...No one said this was going to be easy. It's a long series and we need to make it a long series now." - Aaron Boone.
"I definitely got to step up. I've got to do my job. Guys around me are doing their jobs, getting on base, and I'm failing them, backing them up. We've got to turn around Game Three" - Aaron Judge on his performance
My take: First and foremost, how cool is it that we're talking about the Yankees in the World Series. Making it to the Fall Classic feels more like a grind than ever before, and it's a culmination to what has been overall an enjoyable year.
Unfortunately, thus far the Series hasn't played out as hoped. The Game One loss especially looms large. Was I the only one who shook his head when Tim Hill come into the game in the fifth and retired Freddie Freeman? It was good to see the rally in the ninth, and hopefully they can carry a little bit of momentum back to Yankee Stadium for Game Three.
This has been a resilient team that has bounced back from bad losses throughout the season. Down two games to none in the World Series, their grit will be tested as never before. We've been there as fans though - in 1996. Yankees were outclassed in the first two games against the Braves, and things looked real bad. A win in Game Three changed the dynamic of the series, and the aura of invincibility of the Braves, and as we know the Yankees won four straight for the win. I remember that series like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe it was 28 years ago.
Let's hope for similar results this year.
Next up: The teams have today off, next game is tomorrow in the Bronx. Clarke Schmidt takes the mound in a must-win situation against Walker Buehler.
