Top of the East

The Yankees clinched the American League East championship with their 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox this afternoon.

Despite starting the year 0-8 against their longtime rivals, the Yankees were able to fight back and eventually split the 18-game season series.

The Yankees also won their 100th game of the season behind Andy Pettitte’s six innings and Mariano Rivera’s 43rd save.

The division title was the Yankees first since 2006.

Though the job isn’t done yet, today is a good day for the Yankees and for the fans.

Pettitte nearly perfect, Yanks win 5-1

Andy Pettitte carried a perfect game into the seventh inning Monday night at Camden Yards.  However, Jerry Hairston Jr. let a ball go through his legs for an error and Nick Markakis then followed with a single to left to end the no-hit bid.  No worries, though, as the Yankees, behind Nick Swisher, won 5-1.

Pettitte allowed two hits and one earned run over eight innings, striking out eight.  He finished the month of August with a 4-0 record in six starts.

Swisher went 3-for-4 with two RBI and was a triple shy of the cycle.  The solo home run he hit in the third inning was his 22nd of the year.  Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 and also  had two RBI.  His two-run double in the eighth gave the Yankees some valuable insurance runs.

Mariano Rivera had to come in for the final two outs because Brian Bruney walked a batter and allowed a hit.  The save was Rivera’s 37th of the season.

The Yankees are now 35 games above .500 and hold a 6.5-game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.  A.J. Burnett gets the start tomorrow night in Baltimore.

AP Photo

Yanks turn 3 double plays behind Pettitte, win 9-2

(Originally written for Baseball Digest)

When Andy Pettitte loaded the bases with Texas Rangers with one out in the top of the first, it didn't look like he would be long for Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium.  However, he was able to induce a 5-4-3 double play with Ivan Rodriguez at the plate to end the threat.  After a Jorge Posada three-run home run against Texas starter Derek Holland in the bottom half of the frame, the Yankees were on their way to a 9-2 victory.

Jerry Hairston Jr. added a solo home run in the fourth, and his 12-pitch at-bat in the seventh inning helped start the Yankees' five-run rally after Robinson Cano led off with a double.

Pettitte went seven strong, allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three.  He threw 103 pitches and was aided by three double plays behind him.  The Yankees would turn another with Brian Bruney pitching in relief.

In addition to Posada's three RBI, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira drove in two runs apiece, while Hideki Matsui and Cano were the only Yankees with multi-hit games.

It wasn't all good news for New York.  Posada left the game in the top of the eighth after taking a foul tip off his glove hand.  X-rays were negative, and the team's report is that he aggravated his ring finger.  The Boston Red Sox also won on David Ortiz's walk-off home run.

The Yankees will look to take this three-game series tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1:05.  A.J. Burnett will get the start.

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Impending free agency for Damon, Pettitte, Matsui

MLB Trade Rumors links to three separate articles talking about the impending free agency of Johnny Damon, Andy Pettitte and Hideki Matsui.  Keep in mind that I’m not looking toward next year at all – in fact, I hate articles like this during the season – but today is an off day.

We’ll go one-by-one, starting with Damon (Gordon Edes from Yahoo! Sports reporting):

“I realize the business side of it,” said Damon, whose four-year, $52 million deal with the club is approaching its expiration date. “But I hope at the end of the season we could lock something in for a couple more years.

“I mean, I don’t want to go anywhere else. I love this team, my family loves New York, six weeks of spring training in Tampa, close to my home, and three trips to Tampa (to play the Rays). Yeah, I don’t want to go anywhere.”

Out of the three players named, I’d want Damon back the most, but I don’t know how I’d feel about a multi-year deal.  I think the absolute longest I’d go with Damon is two years.  While he is still a terrific offensive player and clubhouse presence, he is an absolute adventure in the outfield.  Damon also said he doesn’t expect the Yankees to do anything during the season – which is how the team normally operates – so this is a conversation for another day.

*****

Onto Pettitte, who said he doesn’t want a repeat of last offseason where there was a lengthy back-and-forth between the two sides, via Christian Red of the Daily News:

"I wanted to come back here and it looked like it might not happen towards the end. In my mind-set, I was coming back no matter what," he said. "That's where I was at. It's tough when you're getting offers from other clubs, and it's not even comparable.

"As far as next year - I'm trying to get through this year. I hope I can stay healthy and try to help this club win. That's all we're looking at right now. I'm not through - we got a lot of starts left (this season). I want my arm to be healthy. Once I get closer, I can start thinking about that. Maybe start talking to my family and my wife about that."

I don’t think I want Pettitte back.  But if the Yankees are so inclined, I’d hope it’s a one-year deal at $7 million or less.

*****

And finally Matsui, who didn’t say too much about his future, with Anthony McCarron of the Daily News reporting:

"My honest answer is I don't know," Matsui said. "I don't have an answer. As a player, you just try to do better than what you've done before. It's not so much about how the organization or other clubs look at me. All I'm focused on is winning a championship."

Would he prefer to stay in New York? "I try not to think about that," he said. "I like New York, the Yankees, the Yankee fans. It's definitely someplace I feel comfortable."

Matsui is an interesting case.  He hasn’t played an inning in the field all season, his knees flair up every now and then, but he has 23 home runs this season.  Matsui is notorious for his hot and cold streaks, but the way he is playing this season, it will be hard for the Yankees to let him go.

To Matsui’s credit, he said in the article that he wants to play defense to help out his team.  He said it limits the team’s choices, which is completely accurate.  Unfortunately, he still had to get his knee drained this season without playing in the field.

If the Yankees want him back, they should go year-by-year with him.  When healthy, he’s a productive player, but that hasn’t been a certainty with him in his latter years.

‘E:60’ reports on 11-year-old Yankee fan with cerebral palsy

“HOPE Week” was a major success for the Yankees earlier this season.  Rich Reilly wrote a fantastic piece about A.J. Burnett’s involvement with the kids from Camp Sundown and we all remember Polly Tompkins’ story.

ESPN’s newsmagazine show, E:60, will feature “HOPE Week” once again, this time telling the story of 11-year-old Tom Ellenson.  Here is the description, via a release ESPN sent me.:

The story of 11-year-old Tom Ellenson is an extraordinary one. Growing up with cerebral palsy, Ellenson could not walk or speak. But his father created a device that allowed him to communicate as a kid his age would, and his “voice” inspired a little league baseball team in New York City to excel.

Ellenson’s magic touch with the team got the attention of the New York Yankees, and Andy Pettite, Joba Chamberlain and Alex Rodriguez visited Ellenson and his teammates. Then, the Yankees gave Ellenson and his teammates a day at Yankee Stadium they will never forget. ESPN’s E:60 was given exclusive access to document Ellenson’s day spent with the Yankees, including a ceremonial first pitch different than any other first pitch in Major League Baseball history. Rachel Nichols reports.

The episode will air on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. on ESPN.  Below is a preview clip the network provided.

Matsui drives in 7 in 20-11 victory

Hideki Matsui hit a pair of three-run home runs and every Yankee who played the majority of the game drove in at least one run in the Yankees’ 20-11 victory over the Boston Red Sox Friday night at Fenway Park.

As the score suggests, there was a lot of hitting and very little pitching.  Andy Pettitte only went 5+ innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits.  Brian Bruney, while not charged with any runs, walked three and hit a batter while the Yankees had a large lead.

Alex Rodriguez added four hits and an RBI while Derek Jeter (3-for-6, two RBI) recorded his sixth straight multi-hit game.  Over that span, he has also had four games of three hits.  Mark Teixeira also had a three-hit game with three RBI.

The majority of the Yankees’ runs were scored against starter Brad Penny (eight earned runs on 10 hits over four innings) and Michael Bowden, who allowed seven earned runs and eight hits in only two innings.

Overall, the Yankees recorded 23 hits, including eight doubles.

It wasn’t all fun and games for the Yankees’ offense.  Johnny Damon fouled a ball off his leg and had to leave the game.  He was replaced by Eric Hinske in left field.  The team called it a bruise and he’s day-to-day.

The Yankees’ lead over Boston is now 7.5 games.  They’ll do it again tomorrow afternoon at 4:10 p.m.  A.J. Burnett and Junichi Tazawa each get the ball for their respective teams.

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As Pettitte settles down, Yanks come back

Andy Pettitte’s evening began rather inauspiciously at Safeco Field Saturday night.  Though the Yankees eventually won 4-2, it didn’t look like Pettitte would hang around for a while.  Ichiro Suzuki led off with a single, followed by a Franklin Gutierrez single, a Jose Lopez RBI single and an RBI groundout from Ken Griffey Jr.

After retiring four of his next five batters via the strikeout, he had trouble with the Mariners’ top of the order in the third inning.  Suzuki led off with a single and Gutierrez walked.  But after that, Pettitte closed the door.

When the dust settled, he struck out a season-high 10 batters over six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs.  For the second straight game in Seattle, the Yankees’ starting pitcher struck out 10.  Pettitte, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett now each have one game of double-digit strikeouts this season.

The Yankees began their comeback in the second when Jorge Posada doubled off the top of the right center field wall.  The play was reviewed, but the call stood.  Jerry Hairston Jr. eventually drove Posada home on a fielder’s choice to halve the Mariners’ lead.

For the next few innings, Seattle’s starter, Ryan Rowland-Smith, held the Yankees in check.  However, in the fifth, he was hit with some bad luck.  Melky Cabrera singled with two outs and took second on a wild pitch.  Derek Jeter followed with a single through the left side of the infield, somehow getting under both Josh Wilson’s and Jack Hannahan’s gloves to score Cabrera and tie the game.

The game remained tied at 2 until Mark Teixeira led off the ninth with a solo home run against Mark Lowe.  The Yankees would add another on Nick Swisher’s RBI single following Robinson Cano’s bloop double.

New York is now 30 games over .500 and remain 6.5 games ahead of Boston following a dramatic comeback of its own in Texas (they scored six runs in the ninth to win by four).  Sergio Mitre gets the ball tomorrow night.

Teixeira: Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Pettitte: AP Photo

Sabathia, Matsui power Yanks to victory over Seattle

(Originally written for Baseball Digest)

CC Sabathia struck out a season-high 10 Mariners and Hideki Matsui hit two home runs and drove in five runs in the Yankees’ 11-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners Thursday night at Safeco Field.

Sabathia went eight innings, allowing one earned run and three hits while walking two and throwing 104 pitches to earn his 13th win of the season.

The Yankees recorded 15 hits, including four from Matsui and two from Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano and Jerry Hairston Jr. The only Yankee starter without a hit was Nick Swisher, who went 0-for-3 with two walks.

In addition to Matsui’s two home runs (hit 18th and 19th of the season), Jeter hit his 14th home run to lead off the third inning.

New York got to Ian Snell, Seattle’s starter, early and often.  He settled down around the middle of the game, but the Yankees piled on as he continued to get tired.  He gave up eight earned runs in six innings, walking three and striking out four.  He has give up 13 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings in three starts since being traded to Seattle.

The Yankees are now 29 game over .500 and have a 6.5-game lead over Boston.  Andy Pettitte and Ryan Rowland-Smith get the ball tonight in a battle of southpaws.  First pitch is set for 10:10 p.m. ET.

The 2009 Michael Kay/YES Network Drinking Game

Love or hate Michael Kay, he is here to stay. After years of listening to him, both on television and the radio, I have noticed some of Kay’s favorite sayings and actions from the booth. I call these “Michael Kay clichés,” or “Kaychés.”

The 2008 Michael Kay/YES Network Drinking Game is still one of Scott Proctor’s Arm’s most popular posts. In response, I have made an updated version for this season. I hope you enjoy it and please drink responsibly should you decide to play along. I take no responsibility for you or your actions as a result of playing this game. And no, I don’t really expect you to take 22 drinks if Kay says, “Deuces wild.”

• Kay shamelessly plugs his ESPN radio show – 1 drink / Take additional drink if he says the time of day it’s on
• Kay screams, “See ya!,” “there it goes,” and/or “looking up” – 1 drink / If he says all three in the same call, finish drink.
• Kay says, “Fallacy of the predetermined outcome” – 1 drink
• Kay laughs like a maniacal moron, and then is joined by the others in the booth – 1 drink
• Kay says, “Put a bow on it” – 1 drink
• Kay says, “We’ll make sense of it all” – 1 drink
• Kay gets on his soapbox – 1 drink
• Kay says, “We thank you for joining us” – 1 drink
• Kay says, “If you’re just joining us” – 1 drink
• Kay says, “The crowd is still buzzing” a few minutes after something big happens in the game – 1 drink
• Kay asks if the batter should get the green light on a 3-0 count – 1 drink
• Viewer notices that the YES cameras cut off the top of Kay's head during a booth shot – 1 drink
• Kay talks about baseball strategy, and is probably incorrect – 1 drink
• Kay uses a word you have to look up in the dictionary – 1 drink
• Kay says, “Hey!” (i.e. “Hey, Yankee fans!” or “Hey, check out…”) – 1 drink
• Kay says, “Who but?” – 1 drink
• Kay says, “Tough league” when a pitcher throws a changeup or breaking ball when down in the count – 1 drink
• Kay says, “If it’s fair, it’s gone/trouble/a base hit/etc.” – 1 drink
• Kay talks about how Nick Swisher always has a full count on him – 1 drink
• Kay says, “Lineups, first pitch, BASEBALL!” – 1 drink
• “Jeterian” or “Jeteresque” is said by anyone in the booth – 1 drink
• Food is mentioned by any of the announcers – 1 drink / If Kay gets made fun of because of his weight, take an additional drink and eat a slice of pizza
• Kay refers to a ball as “driven,” “laced” or “served” – 1 drink / Take 2 drinks if it’s a different verb
• There is awkward silence in the booth – 1 drink
• Kay says, “Big healthy cut” – 1 drink / Take an additional drink if the “big” is emphasized
• Kay says, “Works into, and out of, trouble” – 1 drink
• Kay says that Melky Cabrera was the last Yankee to hit for the cycle – 1 drink / Take an additional 2 drinks if Kay says anything about Tony Fernandez
  
  
• Kay talks about a starting pitcher’s pitch count before the third inning – 2 drinks
• Kay says, “Pretty play” or “Oh, what a play!” – 2 drinks
• Kay refers to a player by his full name (i.e. “Andrew Eugene Pettitte,” “Derek Sanderson Jeter,” “Carsten Charles Sabathia,” etc.) – 2 drinks
• Kay says, “People forget,” assuming that Yankees fans don’t have good memories relating to something that could be perceived as common knowledge (i.e. "People forget Cody Ransom was actually the starting third baseman at the beginning of the year") – 2 drinks
• Paul O'Neill makes fun of Kay for having too many shows on YES – 2 drinks
• Kay says, “Aforementioned New York Yankees” – 2 drinks
• Kay says, “If you’re scoring at home” – 2 drinks
• Kay says, “On what would be the infield grass” when a pop up is caught in the short outfield in a domed stadium – 2 drinks
• Kay explains the benefits of the staggered lineup – 2 drinks
• Kay says a player is “like the little girl with the curl” – 2 drinks
• Kay says, “Let’s take this baby _th inning” – 2 drinks
• Kay asks, “Do the Yankees have a rally in their bones?” – 2 drinks
• Kay holds out the “he” in “he struck him out” (i.e. “Heeeeeeeeee struck him out”), the “goes” in “there it goes” (i.e. “There it goessssssss”) or the “see” in “see ya” (i.e. “Sssssseeeee ya”) – 2 drinks
• Kay uses his “Philthies” nickname for Phil Hughes and/or Phil Coke – 2 drinks / If he calls both of them “Philthy” in the same game, take an additional two drinks
• Kay screams, “Bonus cantos!” and/or “Free baseball!” when a game goes to extra innings – 2 drinks
  
  
• Kay refers to a past conversation he had and says, “He said” at least three times (Seriously, pay attention to this. He really does this all the time.) – 3 drinks
• Kay says, “He ties a record held by many” when a fielder records all three outs in an inning – 3 drinks
• Kay mentions Fordham University – 3 drinks / If John Flaherty mentions George Washington University in response, take an additional drink
• O’Neill’s “Seinfeld” cameo is brought up – 3 drinks
• Kay says, “That’s a fan for life” when a kid receives a foul ball – 3 drinks
• Kay says, “How many times do you see a player make a great play and then lead off the next inning?” or some variation of that – 3 drinks
• Kay apologizes in advance for messing up any strike calls when Tim McClelland is the home plate umpire – 3 drinks
  
  
• Kay says, “Looking up” after the ball has already reached the stands – Finish drink
• Kay asks his analysts a ridiculous question and is promptly debunked – Finish drink / Take an additional drink for each time he responds with a “don’t you think...” question
• Kay says, “Hit DEEP to left/right/center” and the ball is then caught well in front of the track – Chug a beer
• Kay says, “Deuces wild” – 22 drinks
• Kay isn't calling the game – Spray champagne
  

Again, please drink responsibly.

Thanks to my Twitter followers for their various suggestions.

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

Andy Pettitte and Alfredo Aceves unraveled in the seventh inning of this afternoon’s 6-4 loss to the Oakland A’s at Yankee Stadium.

Read all about it on YanksBlog.com.

Matsui walks off

Hideki Matsui’s walk-off solo home run tonight gave the Yankees their third straight 2-1 victory and fourth straight win overall to reach 18 games over .500.

The Yankees have now hit five solo home runs over this span.

Andy Pettitte continued this stretch of solid starting pitching.  Though he didn’t factor into the decision, he struck out eight over 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and walking two.

Sergio Mitre makes his Yankees and team debut tomorrow night.

Aceves saves Joba and Ransom

Joba Chamberlain and Cody Ransom did their best to turn a 4-0 lead into an 8-4 deficit.  Ransom’s fielding error in the third inning opened the floodgates, as Chamberlain gave up five unearned runs and was out of the game after only retiring 11 batters.

However, Jonathan Albaladejo and Alfredo Aceves saved the Yankees on the pitching side, while Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui provided the offense.  Jeter hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth inning after Matsui drew the Yankees closer with a three-run shot in the fourth inning.  Posada added four hits and three RBI.

But the real story was Aceves, who pitched four innings of one-hit ball for his first career save.

The Yankees are now 15 games over .500 at 48-33, their highest amount of games above .500 this season.  They have also won 10 of their 11 games.  Andy Pettitte will look to lead the Yankees to a sweep over the Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon at 1:05.

Pettitte, with help from long ball, leads Yankees to victory over M's

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

The first two times the Yankees took the lead Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, Andy Pettitte gave it right back.  Once the Yankees took the lead for the third time, Pettitte was able to hold it, and the Yankees were on their way to a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners to extend their winning streak to seven.

Pettitte pitched seven innings, allowing two earned runs or six hits while striking out five.

The Yankees took the lead in the third inning on Johnny Damon's 15th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field.  He has now homered 11 times at new Yankee Stadium.

The lead was short-lived, as Pettitte gave it right back in the top of the fourth.  Jose Lopez led off with a double and advanced to third on a fly out.  After a walk put runners on first and third with one out, Wladimir Balentien hit a grounder to first that Mark Teixeira bobbled.  Though he was able to get the out at second, the bobble cost the Yankees a shot at the double play.  As a result, the tying run scored.

It stayed a 1-1 game until the bottom of the fifth when Melky Cabrera snuck a ball just fair for another solo home run.  In fact, the play was so close that the umpires had to review it.  Ultimately, the call was upheld and the Yankees had a 2-1 lead.

But just like the last time they took the lead, Pettitte gave it right back in the next half-inning.  Ken Griffey Jr. hit a solo home run to right to tie the game at 2.

The Yankees didn't wait long to retake the lead.  Teixeira led off the bottom of the sixth with a single.  He was then followed by Alex Rodriguez, who hit a long two-run home run to center, his second in as many days, to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead.  The bullpen pitched two perfect innings after Pettitte left in the seventh, including Mariano Rivera's 20th save of the season.

The Yankees haven't trailed since Joe Girardi was ejected in the sixth inning Atlanta last Wednesday.  They are now 13 games over .500, which is their highest mark this season.

CC Sabathia takes the mound tomorrow night as the Yankees look for a sweep.

Pettitte quiets Marlins in series opener

Here’s the recap I wrote for Baseball Digest.  Nice game for Andy Pettitte, both on the mound and at the plate, eh?

The Phils provide sturdy bridge as Yankees power way to victory

How about watching Phil Hughes dominate in relief like Joba Chamberlain did?  Hmmm…

Phil Coke also pitched capably in the eighth inning, providing a sturdy bridge for Mariano Rivera who recorded his 14th save of the season in the Yankees’ 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.  They are now 34-23 and have the best record in the AL, pending the outcome of the Rangers/Blue Jays game.

The Yankees hit four home runs (Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter), Andy Pettitte struck out seven in six innings for his sixth victory of the season and the Yankees have won their fourth series in a row.

The Yankees travel to Boston for a three-game series that begins tomorrow.  As you may recall, the Yankees are 0-5 against the Red Sox this season.  A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett start the opener.

Yankees rally in 8th to defeat Rays

How about that for a late-inning rally?  The Yankees scored three runs and the ball never left the infield.  Nevertheless, it was good enough to overcome a 3-1 deficit and put the Yankees back in first place.

The Yankees only recorded six hits and didn’t have a hit with runners in scoring position.  Joba Chamberlain was pitching well until the sixth inning (100 pitches, three earned runs).  Alfredo Aceves picked up his fourth win of the season pitching two innings, striking out four.

Mariano Rivera recovered from his awful day yesterday with a perfect ninth inning to earn his 13th save of the season.

Andy Sonnantine and Andy Pettitte start tomorrow night as we try to find out which Andy is better.

Teixeira’s slide inspires Yankees to victory

Mark Teixeira was hit by a pitch twice tonight in the Yankees’ 12-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.  On the second one, he snapped, eventually breaking up a double play with a hard slide in the fourth inning.

After that slide, the Yankees scored five runs, giving enough breathing room for A.J. Burnett.  He gutted through seven innings, striking out eight on 110 pitches.  He allowed three earned runs, all on a long home run by Nelson Cruz.

Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter each had three hits.  Posada drove in four runs, including three on a long home run to right.  Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui had two hits apiece.  Like Posada, Matsui hit a three-run home run as well.

All in all, it was a nice win for New York, even though the errorless streak ended when Posada air-mailed a throw to second base attempting to catch a runner stealing.  They are now 10 games over .500 and maintained their one-game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East.  The 12 runs scored were a season-high.

Andy Pettitte will face Scott Feldman tomorrow night at the Stadium.

Aceves stars in relief, propels Yanks to first place

Andy Pettitte left with lower back stiffness in the sixth inning with runners on first and second, no outs and a 2-0 count.  Alfredo Aceves came in to protect the Yankees’ 3-0 lead.  He walked the batter, struck out Kelly Shoppach on a nasty curveball, induced a sacrifice fly and got Asdrubal Cabrera to ground out to end the Indians’ threat.

Aceves would go on to pitch two more innings, allowing only one hit in the process to save the Yankees from using any other relievers.

Pettitte walked five in his five innings and didn’t have his best stuff at all.  But he only gave up one earned run, and the three runs the Yankees scored over the first three innings were enough.  Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher had the RBI for the Yankees.

Mariano Rivera recorded his 10th save of the season.  This was the 58th time that Rivera saved a win for Pettitte, setting a new major league record.

With the Red Sox’s loss, the Yankees have sole possession of first place by a half-game.

CC Sabathia makes his return to Cleveland tonight at 7:05.  Fausto Carmona will oppose him on the mound.

Winning streak snapped

And with that 7-3 loss to the Phillies, the Yankees’ nine-game winning streak comes to an end.

Brett Myers was good, but the Yankees did him favors by not working the count.  All the Yankees could muster offensively were three solo home runs.

A.J. Burnett gave up three home runs in six innings.  He is now winless since April 14 (seven starts).  Chien-Ming Wang made his triumphant return back to the big club, and was still terrible.  He gave up six hits and two earned runs in three innings.  He actually lowered his ERA by 9.50 runs, as it now stands at an even 25.00.

The two teams combined for seven home runs, but a few of them were complete bombs, like the ones off the bats of Mark Teixeira, Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth.

Oh well, the Yankees can’t win them all.  My only fear is that they will continue to go up and down as they did earlier this year and most of last year.  The best thing to do is to put together another mini streak.  Nine games is too much to ask for, sure, but three or four in a row is acceptable.

Andy Pettitte gets the ball tomorrow afternoon at 4:10 p.m.

Tex, big first inning lead Yanks to sweep

Mark Teixeira hit home runs from both sides of the plate and the Yankees scored six runs in the first inning to complete a four-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins tonight at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees won 7-6.

With Andy Pettitte on the mound, the Yankees fell behind 2-0 after the top of the first inning.  However, they forced Twins starter Glen Perkins out of the game after retiring only two batters.

Teixeira started the scoring with a three-run home run after both Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon reached with singles.  Alex Rodriguez followed with a solo home run and Melky Cabrera and Francisco Cervelli added RBI singles as well.

Pettitte wasn’t great by any stretch of the imagination, but he essentially pitched to the scoreboard.  Up 6-2, he gave up 12 hits over 6 2/3 innings.  The Twins would score runs in the fourth and sixth innings off Pettitte before he was relieved by Jose Veras.  Veras walked a batter in the seventh to load the bases but got Carlos Gomez to fly out.

Up 6-4, Teixeira hit a solo home run in the seventh to extend the lead to three.  That would end up being huge.

Edwar Ramirez began the eighth inning and gave up a one-out home run to Denard Span.  After a two-out walk, Phil Coke was brought in.  Because Mariano Rivera had pitched three innings in two days, Coke stayed on for the ninth inning.

Coke walked two batters and gave up a run on a groundout, but because of Teixeira’s home run, the Yankees were up by two going into the inning.  Coke got Mike Redmond to ground out to second to end the threat and the game.

The Yankees are now on a six-game winning streak and will begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow night with CC Sabathia on the mound.  The Yankees have won eight of their last 10 games.