The hitting returns

After getting two-hit by Roy Halladay last night, the Yankees scored nine runs and pounded out 11 hits to beat Jesse Litsch and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Derek Jeter led off with his 200th career home run. However, the Blue Jays would score four runs in the bottom of the first against Darrell Rasner who has been struggling after his May success.

The Yankees would then score eight runs in the next three innings to give them a comfortable 9-4 victory. Included in that outburst was Alex Rodriguez's 537th career home run, passing Mickey Mantle.

Rasner won his first start since June 18, going five innings and allowing four earned runs. He struck out six and walked one, throwing 108 pitches. The bullpen threw four scoreless innings and allowed only one baserunner (a walk by Kyle Farnsworth).

Brett Gardner went 2-2 with three RBI, two runs scored and two walks. He has struggled since being called up, so hopefully this can get him going. Melky Cabrera, Rodriguez and Jeter also had two hits apiece.

Jason Giambi's struggles have seemingly gone unnoticed in the wake of his All-Star bid. He has one hit in his last 22 at-bats with no home runs and two RBI.

Andy Pettitte and A.J. Burnett will square off in tomorrow afternoon's rubber game.

After the game, many Yankees players reflected on Bobby Murcer's passing. Manager Joe Girardi cried during his postgame comments and many others very visibly shaken.

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Harris)

Clemens and Torre suspended

From Yankees.com:

After both Toronto and New York were issued warnings by home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez on Tuesday, Roger Clemens hit Toronto's Alex Rios in the back with a 1-0 pitch to lead off the seventh inning. As a result, Watson handed Clemens an undisclosed fine and suspended the 45-year-old pitcher for five games.

Clemens is scheduled to begin serving his suspension on Friday, when the Yankees begin a three-game series in Cleveland. If Clemens, who was immediately ejected after plunking Rios, decides to appeal the suspension, it will be postponed until the appeal process is complete.

Yankees manager Joe Torre, who was automatically ejected after Clemens intentionally hit Rios, was fined and suspended for one game by Watson. Torre is also scheduled to serve his suspension on Friday against the Indians.

For Toronto, pitcher Josh Towers, outfielder Matt Stairs and third-base coach Brian Butterfield were all fined by Watson for their roles in Tuesday's altercation. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, first-base coach Tony Pena and third-base coach Larry Bowa also received fines. (Source)

The suspension was justified, but it was nice to see Clemens stick up for Alex Rodriguez the other night.

Josh Towers' actions, however, were not justified. After Jesse Litsch threw behind Rodriguez the night before, Towers decided that that was not enough, so he hit Rodriguez. Because of that, the Yankees now lost Clemens for five games and all Towers gets is a fine.