Nothing like a slugfest to get a team back on the winning track. 

It wasn't easy and it most certainly wasn't pretty, but the Yanks survived a ninth inning rally and defeated the Mets 11-8 at The Stadium.  Tyler Clippard was terrible, but the Yanks received solid middle relief and the bats banged out 15 hits as the Bombers evened their weekend series with the Mets at 1-1.

The Good:

Derek Jeter.  Jeter's two-run homer in the fourth gave the Yanks a 6-5 advantage and helped turn a see-saw affair into a big Yankee lead.  Jeter extended his hitting streak to 11 games and was a triple away from hitting for the cycle.  The Captain finished 4 for 5 with the home run, 2 runs scored, 2 ribbies and a stolen base.

Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod's red-hot June continued on Saturday afternoon.  Rodriguez belted his 7th homer of the month (26th of 2007) and 490th of his career in the third to give the Yanks a short-lived 4-3 lead.  A-Rod finished 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored, a walk, 2 RBIs and a stolen base.  Look out Hack Wilson; A-Rod has 70 RBI on the season.

Luis Vizcaino.  Vizcaino came into the game with the Yanks down 5-4 and runners on first and second with one out.  Disaster waiting to happen?  I thought so, but Vizcaino pitched out of the jam and went on to vulture his third victory of the year.  Vizcaino has been a disappointment this season, but he has pitched well of late.  He hasn't allowed an earned run in his last five appearances.  Vizcaino improved to 3-1 with this: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB (intentional) and 2 K.

The Bad:

Tyler Clippard.  Clippard was awful in his second career start against the Mets.  The rookie was hit hard and allowed at least one run in his 3.1 innings of work.  Clippard also lost his poise as he allowed a run to score on a balk.  Clippard's ERA has now soared to 6.33 on the year and the Yanks may be ready to give Kei Igawa another shot in the rotation.  Clippard's sickly totals: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 1 Balk.

Kyle Farnsworth.  Once again, Torre had the perfect no-pressure situation for Farnsworth and once again Farnsworth proved that he can turn any lead into a potential deficit.  Farnsworth entered the game in the eighth with the Yanks up 10-5 and immediately walked the lead off hitter.  Two batters later and it was 10-6 Yanks.  Now, Farnsworth worked out of the inning, but his act is getting old.  I really don't see Kyle surviving the rest of the year in pinstripes.  Farnsworth's line: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

The Ugly:

E-Z Pass.  The Mets continued to swipe bases with impunity.  The Metropolitans stole five bases on Saturday afternoon and have 10 steals in two days against the Yanks.  What the hell is going on?

The rubber game will be under the lights as the Mets and Yanks play the ESPN Sunday night game.  Former Yank Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez will go against Chien-Ming Wang.  So far this weekend, these teams have played to a pitcher's duel and a hitter's paradise.  

Any guesses for Sunday's game?

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