Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Now wait a minute. Let's get this straight. Cliff Lee is faltering on the mound in October, but A.J. Burnett is keeping the Yankees afloat in the playoffs? It really is a nutty post-season.

Burnett survived a first inning with bases loaded to pitch through the fifth innning with just one run and four hits, claiming an October win in a game that he wasn't even slated to pitch — starting for the Yankees only because Game 2 got rained out. New York would seal the victory (and Burnett's win) 10-1. Team captain and shortstop Derek Jeter gave the young pitcher his props:

"It doesn't make a difference what you've done in the past," Derek Jeter said. "We wanted him to go out there and pitch well. Trust me, I'm pretty sure all the New York fans will remember this game as opposed to some of the other games."

The North Little Rock native, however, knew who exactly to thank.

"We don't win that game tonight without defense," Burnett said.