Kelleher takes one for the team

Mick Kelleher crumbled to the ground almost instantly.

The Yankees first base coach rolled on the foul territory grass, reeling from the blow of an errant throw. Robinson Cano grounded softly toward first base, but Michael Cuddyer’s relay throw was offline and hit Kelleher in his…well, unmentionables it seems.

Team trainer Steve Donohue rushed on to the field check on Kelleher, who appeared to be fine. Cano stood on the other side of the first base coach, laughing. In fact, everyone in the Yankees dugout was.

Moments later, the pain in Kelleher’s nether regions was quickly forgotten. DH Marcus Thames hit his first postseason home run – a two-run blast -- to right field, to put the Yanks up 4-0.