The House that Ruth Built doesn’t want to go out in a whimper.
More than a week removed after an All Star Game for the ages, the Yankees won their sixth straight, and 10th straight at home.
A victory today, 5-1 over the Twins gave the Yankees three consecutive series sweeps at home. I can’t remember the last time that happened. 1998?
Moose continued his career resurgence, winning his 13th of the year going eight (yes, read it again) innings, allowing 6 hits and striking out seven. His ERA is a respectable 3.26 at this point. I guess Moose is out to make a strong statement to the Yankee brass about next year’s spot on the rotation.
Thanks to doubles by Jeter and a 2-RBI double by A-Rod, a 2-RBI double by rookie Justin Christian, that was all the offense the Yankees needed in nearly shutting out the Twins.
I still don’t get Girardi sometimes. Why not let Moose finish the game? LaTroy Hawkins came in and promptly blew up, allowing a 2-out RBI to Mike Lamb. C’mon Hawkins! Lamb’s hitting .225 on the season before you let him hit that single. As a result, the Yankees had to resort to the Great Rivera to get the final out and his 25th save in 25 chances.
Robinson Cano continued his traditional sizzing July, going .500 in the game along with one run scored. Best bud Melky Cabrera had a not-too-bad day also, going 2 for 3 to raise his average to .248.
The Yankees have an off day tomorrow riding a six-game streak into Beantown. Boston, in the meantime, plays at 4:40pm today and hopefully comes limping into Fenway. The pitching match-up for this weekend’s series on paper favors the Red Sox on Friday and Sunday (Chamberlain vs. Beckett on Friday; Pettitte vs. Wakefield on Saturday; Ponson vs. Lester on Sunday), but knowing how well the Yankees are playing now just proves to us that they are capable of sweeping the Sox and going for nine straight come Monday.
Tomorrow, keep an eye out for a story I wrote on Mariano Rivera vs. the Red Sox.
Sizzling Hot Yankee of the Day: Mike Mussina, 8 IP, 6 hits, 0 runs 0 walks, 7 strikeouts
Honorable Mention: Justin Christian, 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs
