Teixeira Gets a Hit

by Richard Gonyeau
April 24, 2010

  Mark Teixeira got a big hit last night, but it didn't raise his batting average. In the third inning he was beaned by an Ervin Santana fastball. Two subsequent singles by Rodriguez and Cano sent Teixeira rounding third for the imminent collision that defined last night's opening game against the Angels.

It was clearly a cathartic moment for Teixeira. His struggles at the plate this April are well documented, and continue to be a source of frustration for him. Getting hit in the arm by a mid-nineties fast ball didn't help matters either. So when he saw an opportunity for legal retaliation, his instincts took over. The result was a violent impact that rose the crowd to their feet, and sent Bobby Wilson to the hospital with a concussion and a right ankle sprain.

It's an unfortunate result for the Angels, who now must rely on their third string catcher after starter Jeff Mathis broke his wrist last Tuesday. Both sides agree that the hit was a clean play, albeit it an unnecessary one. Despite what players/managers say about it, the next two games will reveal if there is any residual ill-will after Friday night's encounter.

The 6-4 loss was a well fought contest on both sides. I expect we'll see more of the same today in the second game of the series. Two of the American League's hottest pitchers will be on display as Pettitte (2-0, 1.35) takes on Pineiro (2-1, 1.77).