Johnny Damon, bases loaded at the Stadium and the World Series a possibility. Where have we seen this before?
Actually, Damon had two such opportunities last night. After misfiring in the second inning, leaving three runners stranded with a ground out, he came to the plate in the fourth and gave the Yankees the lead with a two-run single in what became a 5-2 victory over the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS.
Five years removed from his Game 7 grand slam against Javier Vazquez that sent the Red Sox to the World Series after losing the first three games of the ALCS to the Yankees, Damon can revel in an opportunity to earn a second world championship ring.
“I came to New York for a reason, and that’s to be going to the World Series every year,” said Damon, who departed the Red Sox as a free agent following the 2005 season. “Unfortunately [it took until] the fourth year, but I’m definitely going to make the most of it.”
The Yankees trailed 1-0 in the fourth, when Joe Saunders walked the inning’s leadoff hitter, Robinson Cano. Nick Swisher singled and Melky Cabrera advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Derek Jeter then walked to load the bases before Damon slashed a 2-2 pitch to left field for his fourth and fifth RBIs this postseason. Alex Rodriguez later walked to force home the inning’s final run.
“They were kind of pitching around Derek, because he [killed] lefties all year,” Damon said. “I got the job done. I feel comfortable in those situations. I’ve been in them in the past, being in the game for 15 years. I don’t mind that situation. The first time it didn’t work out, but the next time it definitely did.”
Damon belted homers in Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS in Anaheim, but entered last night hitting only .211 for the postseason. That will go forgotten. What will be remembered is he put the Yankees ahead for good in the game that sent the Yankees to their first World Series in six years.