THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS OF BASEBALL

Teams have up and down seasons. Players go through ups and downs during the season and even during a game. There was a great example of the peaks and valleys of baseball today during the Yankee game.

Andy Pettitte started the game and gave up three runs (two earned) in the second inning and appeared to be headed for a bad outing. He went on to go six innings and only gave up those three initial runs. Unfortunately, he left after the sixth when he caught a bouncing comeback ball with his bare hand. Looks as though Andy will be ok, with only some swelling in his pitching hand.

The offense were stymied by the Mets starter Jonathon Neise during the first six innings. They were unable to score any runs until the seventh inning, when an error and a homerun by Russell Martin scored two. The Yankees were able to pull ahead in the bottom of the eighth and it appeared Yankees had the win in sight. However, the Yankees de facto closer, Rafael Soriano, gave up back to back doubles in the top of the ninth and the Mets had the game tied. Boone Logan came out and got the remaining outs needed to keep the score 4-4 for the Yankee offense in the bottom of the ninth. With one swing of the bat, Russell Martin hit his second home of the day and the just like that, the game was over - Yankees win.

Ironically, two players who had a big impact on the game were Mark Teixeira and the aforementioned Martin. Ironic because these two have been struggling for a good part of this season.

The Yankees have had their share of ups and downs throughout the first part of the season-but what team doesn't. Peaks and valleys are just a part of baseball. The hope is, like the game today, you finish on a peak.

As usual, GO YANKEES!