The Yankees had a three-run lead in the ninth inning and Mariano Rivera came in to close the game.
Mariano, of course, has a career postseason ERA of 0.74.
Mariano walked the first batter (squeezed by the home plate ump, if you ask me) and then got three easy outs.
After Vlad k'd, Juan Rivera was the batter with the dangerous Kendry Morales on deck.
As a Yankee fan viewing the action, I felt quite comfortable.
Naturally, anything can happen, but there's really nothing more a team can ask for than to have a three-run lead in the ninth inning with Mariano on the mound. Other than a four-run lead with Mariano on the mound. Or a five-run lead with Mariano on the mound. Or a ten-run lead with Mariano on the mound.
Anyway, Joe Buck pointed out that Kendry Morales had 34 HRs this year and, you know, the Angels weren't out of it.
I'm not sure if Buck is creating drama, which is part of his job, or just wishfully rooting against the Yankees, which often seems like it's part of his job.
But, just to counteract the danger of Morales's 34 HRs in 2009, I'd like to present a few Mariano Rivera stats:
1) 22 HRs allowed lifetime vs. lefties in 2,106 at-bats.
2) 2 postseason HRs allowed.
3) 0 postseason HRs allowed vs. lefties.
Good luck, Kendry. You'll need it.
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