Tex Powers The Yankees To Their 76th Win

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Mark Teixeira once again prevails as one of the top players in baseball today. Tex was 1 for 4 last night but his one hit would end up being the big one. Tex gave the Yankees the momentum with his 31st home run of the year a 2 run shot off Brett Anderson in the top of the 4th inning.

What a free agent signing this was grabbing possibly the best first basemen since Don Mattingly. Tex has 130 hits in 460 at bats coming into today with a .283 batting average. Tex has maintained his power numbers slugging his way to 31 home runs with 83 rbis along with 33 doubles on the year.

Mark has found himself in a great position signing with the Yankees being in the New York spotlight has exposed him as a true superstar. To see what he does everyday is exciting if his bat doesn't come through his glove will keep you in games.

Chad Gaudin pitched very effective in his first start as a New York Yankee allowing only one hit through 4 1\2 innings. Chad hopes to find himself as the Yankees number 5 starter as he has struggled for the most part.

Gaudin tired out as he began to lose control in the 5th inning with a quick hook by Yankees skipper Joe Girardi. Gaudin pitched a solid game not giving up a run you can see the anger on his face but it you have to respect the decision.

Chad is a winner on the field you have to admire the determination but this is a 1st place team that has one of the best bullpens in baseball. Gaudin pitched well against one of his former teams the Oakland Athletics keeping the Yankees in the game.

Derek Jeter went 2 for 4 on the night stealing his 21st base of the season in the 2nd inning off Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki. Derek is hitting .383 in the month of August going 31 for 81 at the plate with 4 home runs and 11 RBI.

Johnny Damon went 2 for 4 to bring his season average up to .285 a consistent hitter all year out of the #2 slot in the batting order.

Alfredo Aceves came in to bail Gaudin out of a tough 5th inning jam. Ace picked up the win to be 8-1 on the year but struggled suffering 2 earned runs in 2 1\3 innings.

Coke Hughes and Rivera held down the bullpen going 2 1\3 innings giving up 1 hit no runs walking one batter. Those 3 relievers were everything that you need when you call upon them to get the big outs.

Girardi has been getting strong innings out of his pitchers all around showing what they can do before the playoffs.

The Yankees enjoy the off day tonight as they look to send Andy Pettitte in to do battle against Brad Penny and the Red Sox tomorrow night at Fenway Park.

Andy Pettitte is 9-6 on the year with a 4.09 ERA but has been solid this season giving the Yankees a strong boost as a #3 starter in a dominate rotation.

Brad Penny has struggled going 7-7 with an ERA over 5 but has pitched well against the Yankees in the past this season. Penny in his only start against the Bronx Bombers pitched a no decision allowing no runs through 6 innings giving up 6 hits and 5 strikeouts.

Tension started between the two teams that night as Brad Penny drilled Alex Rodriguez twice in a row. Let’s look to see if anything flares up from that game as Arod has been getting hit by a lot of pitches lately.

Yankees look to gain more ground on Boston in the American League East. The Yankees at this point have a 7 game lead on Boston who is in first for the American League Wild Card and need to keep winning ball games.