Granderson, Nova Ride Yankees to Victory

There weren't many note-worthy things to mention in tonight's game where only three runs were scored between the two teams. Luckily for the Yankees they scored all three of the runs in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Padres. Curtis Granderson was the offense tonight. Fresh off his second DL stint, Granderson wasted no time in coming back with a bang. He smashed a no doubter into the right field seats to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning. Granderson had two of the Yankees five hits tonight, and he was involved in all two scoring plays for the Yankees. In addition to two RBI, Granderson scored the final run of the game on a Jayson Nix RBI single in the ninth inning. Without Granderson the Yankees offense went 3-28. The Yankees were 1-6 with runners in scoring position with Jayson Nix getting the lone hit with a runner in scoring position.

Two runs were plenty for Ivan Nova who went seven outstanding innings. Nova did not allow any runs and gave up only four hits and one walk in seven innings while striking out eight batters. His ERA drops to 3.08 and he is beginning to look more and more like the pitcher the Yankees thought they had during the 2011 season. I now feel confident when Nova takes the mound which is something I couldn't say at all during the 2012 season when he was a mess. Behind Kuroda, Ivan Nova is the Yankees second strongest starting pitcher. Nova's success tonight came with two pitches: a fastball and a curve. He didn't throw any changeups or sliders to the Padres hitters and it really worked for the young right hander. Also, since Nova's return from the disabled list on June 23rd, he owns a 2.15 ERA.

David Robertson and Mariano Rivera came in after Nova exited the game and nailed it down easily. Mariano Rivera retired the Padres on nine pitches as he earned one of his easier saves of the season. As Mariano's time winds down I cherish more and more, each save opportunity and chance I have to see Mariano pitch.

In tomorrow's rubber game the Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound who has found himself pitching very well in big ballparks. Hopefully Petco Field will gobble up any would-be home runs in other parks for Hughes. Newly acquired Ian Kennedy will pitch against the Yankees as he looks to turn his season around pitching for a new club.