Mariano Rivera recorded his first postseason save since 2005 against the Angels as the Yankees completed a sweep of the ALDS vs. the Twins with a 4-1 victory.

The game was a pitcher's duel between ex-Yankee Carl Pavano and veteran Yankee Andy Pettitte. Both pitchers were great with outstanding control, leading to many strikeouts. Pettitte gave up a run in the sixth on a RBI single from Joe Mauer.

In the 7th, the Yankees battled right back and who else but A-Rod hit a tying home run to right. One batter later Jorge Posada hit a home run to left which just cleared the wall to give the Yankees the lead at 2-1.

Pettitte was finished after 6 1/3 innings and Joba came in to face Delmon Young. Young doubled up the alley in right center but Joba got tough and got out of the inning without any damage.

In the eighth Phil Huhges relieved Joba and Nick Punto doubled to left center to start the inning. Hughes has not been automatic in the postseason allowing two runs in game two. However, the Twins pulled another rock. Denard Span hit a bouncer over the mound behind second which Jeter fielded behind the bag. Punto kept running with his head down. Jeter fired the ball home and Posada threw back to third to get Punto for a huge out. Hughes got Orlando Cabrera but Girardi pulled him in favor of Mo to face Joe Mauer with two outs and one on.

Rivera shattered Mauer's bat on the second pitch and Texeiera easily handled it to end the inning. In the top of the ninth three different Twins pitchers walked Yankee batters and Gardenhire went to his closer Joe Nathan to try and limit the damage. Posada lined a single to right to score one run and Cano blooped a single to right to make the Yankee lead 4-1.

With a three run lead Mo smelled the finish line and led the Yankees to the ALCS. Michael Cuddyer fisted a single to right but then Mo got Jason Kubel looking and Delmon Young swinging for two quick outs. Brendan Harris grounded to short to end the game, the ALDS and baseball at the Metrodome as the Twins will move to a new open air stadium next year named Target Field.

For Rivera he has converted 35 postseason saves in 40 opportunities and his postseason ERA is now at 0.74.

The ALCS will be on Friday night in the Bronx vs. the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

READ BEFORE COMMENTING: Participation constitutes agreement to our User Guidelines, which are stricter than most other blogs', so please read them before commenting. No advertising (posting links to your site), inflammatory (flaming) remarks, vulgarities (any kind of profanity that you can imagine) or questions about our guidelines or comment deletions. We generally try to maintain a family friendly atmosphere here. Please keep this in mind. A few common examples:

• Posting a link to your blog or to any site you are affiliated with will probably get your comment deleted, unless we asked for it or it acts as a TrackBack.
• Asking why your comment was deleted will get your comment deleted. Please contact us instead.
• Attacking a blogger or fellow commenter instead of attacking their point will probably get your comment deleted.

Treat our users and our guidelines with respect and you'll be fine. As long as you do that, we're happy to have you at the MarianoRivera.com.

Please note that all comments made on entries that are at least 14 days old are moderated.

Your comment:

Name:

Website:

E-mail:

Please type loop

Remember Me