The 25-year old Single-A starter gave everything the Yankees rotation sorely needed last night with seven strong innings.

The Mexican Gangster, known as Al Aceves was dominant in his first MLB start against one of the better teams in the majors, striking out two and allowing only one run. His big line of the night — no walks issued.

He was helped by the heart of the order, who gave him a 7-17 night, especially with a line drive three-run home run by A-Rod and two home runs by Johnny Damon. Derek Jeter also contributed with his 2,519 and 2,520th hits in Yankee history. Now only Lou Gehrig is in front of the Yankee Captain.

After a string of disappointing losses in Tampa and Seattle and an opening loss against the Angels two nights ago, the Yankees finally broke out and did it the way they were supposed to do — hitting at the plate, strong starting pitching and clean fielding.

The season may be lost for the Yankees once they play in the Stadium for the last time on September 21 and at Boston on September 28, but there is still always a chance they can actually grab a Wild Card berth.

Side Notes: I’m pretty pissed off at a few Boston bloggers who claim that since the Yankees aren’t going to make the playoffs the Yankee Universe is now donning on Giants or Jets hats. Bullcrap. There will be Yankee “fans” who follow the team to the World Series, but will take off their pinstripes at the first sight of trouble. Fans like me, my brother, my sister, my mom, we all have followed the Yankees since we could talk and to hear comments like that gets me angry. You think that the Red Sox Nation is any better? They might have a better fan base at this moment because of their recent successes, but Yankee Universe does exist and there ARE rabid fans in the Universe that complement Red Sox Nation rivals.

So, for you Boston bloggers, suck it up.

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