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Alex Rodriguez slides into home as the New York Yankees took both games from the Rays in a day night doubleheader.
Arod was the star of game one as he went 3 for 3 with an RBI smacking his 13th double of the season. A.Rodriguez brought his average up to .282 driving in 79 RBI this year, and has no plans on slowing down.
Alex got things going for the Yankees when he drove in a two out RBI double off of Tamba Bay starter Matt Garza. Garza pitched an excellent game as Arod's RBI was an unearned run due to the error on the previous play.
Brett Gardner played his first game back in the Yankee lineup making one of the best catches in baseball history. Gardner covers so much ground that it will be interesting to see how his career will turn out.
CC Sabathia continued with his dominant pitching to keep him at the top of the heap. CC pitched 7 innings allowing one run on three hits and overpowering the Rays hitters with ten strikeouts.
The only run Sabathia gave up was a solo home run in the 2nd inning, but he held his composure. Although he didn't get a decision in the game he pitched a terrific game.
Of course no other than Phil Hughes picked up his 6th win of the season out of relief...Hughes pitched a scoreless innings as the Yankee bats exploded in the bottom of the 8th inning.
The Bronx Bombers put three on the board in the 8th by Cano, Hinske and Posada contributing to the offense.
Nick Swisher led the 8th inning off with a walk, and has been finding ways to get on base all season long.
Mark Teixeira brought Swish over to third on a single, but took second on a throwing error by former Red Sox the Rays starting right fielder Gabe Kapler.
Alex Rodriguez would follow up by being intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs for Yankees second basemen Robinson Cano. Robby connected with a sac fly to bring up Jorge Posada up by a run.
Posada collected an RBI single to tack on the runs. Soon after that Eric Hinske's sac fly would bring the Yankees to 4-1 before turning the ball over to Mariano Rivera.
Rivera was typical Moe striking out two in the 9th to pick up his 39th save of the season. Mariano now has a 1.75 ERA, and has not shown signs of old age.
The main story of the game was Derek Jeter being 0 for 4... Yankees skipper Joe Girardi should have let Derek play more on the road, there was no reason to sit him as much as he did.
When you have a hitter as hot as he has been you cannot let him get stiff on the bench for consecutive games. Girardi should have let Derek get some more playing time on the road, because it was not like he was going to get six hits in one game.
The last game of the road trip I had a feeling pulling the Yankees captain that early would hurt him tonight. Derek Jeter has plenty of time to break the record...Let's just sit back, and watch a legend do his job.
The Yankees would look to A.J. Burnett to take game two in the night game of this day night doubleheader.
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A.J. Burnett pitched like his usual self with Jose Molina backing him up behind the plate. Burnett and Molina were on the same page all night as A.J. earned his 11th win of the year.
Burnett worked 6 full innings allowing an earned run, but was in control as he gave up four hits striking out 8. A.J. Burnett is 11-8 with a 4.19 after tonight as he looks to bring his ERA down.
I wrote it last week I knew that A.J. Burnett would have a performance like that if Cervelli or Molina caught him.
like I have said before Jorge Posada continuously calls for fastballs, and that is not Burnett's style.
A.J. throws hard, but is a pitcher that relies on all of his pitches. Curtain pitchers can throw as hard as they want, but it is a matter of command.
The Yankees offense was in full sink supporting A.J. Burnett as they scored 8 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning.
Future 2009 MVP Mark Teixeira proved why he is meant to wear the pinstripes smacking two home runs on the game. Tex now has 36 home runs for the season and 106 RBI after driving in four in the game.
Yankees backup catcher Jose Molina had a great game as he managed to go 3 for 3 with an RBI. The panda is so valuable for the things he can do.
When Jose gets a hit it is just an addition to being one of the greatest defensive catchers in the major leagues.
Melky Cabrera brought his average up to .281 as he went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. Melky has been a tremendous part of this team giving them consistency.
There is not much else you can ask for from a player who was sent down to AAA last year at one point. Cabrera is the real deal, and is one of the more clutch hitters in the lineup of a 1st place team.
Jerry Hairston Jr was 2 for 4 with an RBI as he proves to still be loving the Bronx.
Hideki Matsui also contributed to the Yankee offense with 2 hits in three at bats.
The Rays suffered a blow as they lost Carlos Pena for the rest of the season as he broke two of his fingers being hit from a CC Sabathia blazing fastball.
There was no intent for Sabathia but if your Tampa Bay you really don't care it is still bad.
Pena was leading the American League with 39 home runs three in front of Teixeira. Carlos is an unbelievable player, it is a shame to see any player go down with an injury.
The New York Yankees would end up with the 11-1 victory sweeping the Rays looking to take on Tamba Bay again tomorrow at 7:05 pm eastern time.
The Yankees will send Chad Gaudin to the hill who is 5-10 for the 2009 season with a 4.98 ERA to battle Tamba Bay Lefty David Price.
Price is a tough left hander don't let his 7-7 record fool you because if he gets ahead he could be tough to beat.
The Yankees are now 9 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the American League East keeping the best record in baseball.
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