Massive 7th just enough to pull out win for '01 Yanks

Ted Lilly, the starter for the '01 Yankees against the '61 Yanks, knew this would be a tough matchup.  "With guys like Mantle and Maris and guys like Billy Skowron who's having a good year, this team could explode on you at any moment."  This caution and preparation might have helped lead the lefty to striking out the side to lead off the game. Unfortunately, his luck would only last as long.  The 2nd started with a Maris walk, Lilly unable to find his location early in the count.  After a Yogi Berra groundball, Skowron would reach out and poke a ball that Paul O'Neill could do nothing but watch as it soared over the fence.  The 3rd inning would be just as cruel to Lilly.   Tony Kubek, who is having a below average year from the leadoff spot, would hit a towering pop fly that would find its way over the short porch in right field.  Two outs later Maris would pound a ball deep to center field that everyone in the park knew was gone as soon as it left his bat.

Lilly would get through one more inning before being taken out of the 5th, leaving two men on for Mike Stanton, his replacement.  Stanton would fare better, getting through two innings, giving up one earned run and striking out three.  He would be the pitcher in the 7th when it would be the Yankees turn to explode.  Tino Martinez would lead off with a single; Posada, Brosius and Soriano would all follow with singles of their own.  With two runs on the board and the bases loaded, David Justice, pinch hitting for Stanton, would show good patience and draw a walk. After walking Justice on four pitches Ralph Terry, who had been cruising up to this point, was taken out in favor of Truman Clevenger. The first batter he faced, Knoblauch would single to left, scoring two.  Jeter, who is staying hot, doubled, scoring Justice. A Bernie Williams walk that loaded the bases for the second time in the inning would lead to a Martinez sacrifice fly to score the sixth run for the '01 Yanks.

A devestated '61 Yankee club was unable to muster a late game rally.  Randy Choate and Jay Witasick would combine to close the game down and secure the win. "These games are always tough to take.  When we take the lead 5-0, we should win the game," Skowron said of the game. Skowron would go 2 for 4 with a two run homerun.  A developing concern for '61 Yanks fans is the continuing struggles of Mickey Mantle, who went 0 for 3 with two walks. "It's ok to not hit and not contribute when your team still wins but not when we lose.  I need to contribute to take this team where we all know it can go."

The '61 Yankees would drop to 6-4 while the '01 Yankees would win their third of the year, and improve to 3-7 overall.

WP : Mike Stanton (1-0)
LP : Truman Clevenger (0-1)
S : Jay Witasick (1)

Team		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
01 Yankees		0	0	0	2	0	0	6	0	0		6	10	0
61 Yankees		0	2	2	0	0	1	1	0	0		5	12	1