It's really amazing what confidence can bring.

Alex Rodriguez erased a 1-0 deficit with a two-run double in the seventh as the Yanks scored six runs in the final two innings and dropped the Blue Jays 6-1 at The Stadium.  Roger Clemens pitched his heart out and (after a parade of relievers) Mariano Rivera came in and slammed the door as the Yankees won their fifth straight.

The Yanks would have lost this game a few weeks ago, but the team is now filled with determination and grit.  The Red Sox lost again so the Bombers are now 7 games back in the AL East. 

The Good:

Roger Clemens.  The Rocket's got guts and guts is enough!  Actually, Clemens isn't really "The Rocket" anymore, but his will to win is as strong as ever.  He can't blow batters away anymore, but that doesn't mean he can't give you an effective performance every fifth day.  Clemens worked in and out of trouble, but he kept the Yanks in the game.  Mike Mussina, are you paying attention?  Clemens' no decision: 6 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Alex Rodriguez.  It's amazing what a difference a year makes.  Last season, Yankee fans cringed whenever A-Rod came up in a big spot, but now he's Mr. Clutch.  He drove in runs number 91 and 92 on the season in the seventh to give the Yanks a 2-1 lead.  A-Rod entered the game batting a blistering .545 with runners on first and third.  That number will go up.  A-Rod finished 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Andy Phillips.  Phillips may not be the big name first baseman some Yankee fans crave, but his contributions have been huge.  He singled in two giant runs in the seventh to give the Yanks a 4-1 cushion.  Andy also made some nifty plays in the field.  Yankee fans have been screaming for more role players who do the little things right and come up big in key spots.  Phillips has done a nice job doing just that.  The Alabama native finished 1 for 4 with 2 ribbies.

The Bad:

Johnny Damon.  I don't want to beat up on Damon, but his average has dropped like a stone in the past month.  Is it possible that a player can lose it in just one season?  I hope not, but it sure looks that way with Damon.  He also made a terrible decision in the field when he tried to throw out Lyle Overbay at third on a base hit by Aaron Hill.  His throw wasn't close and it allowed Hill to advance to second.  The complete lapse in judgment didn't cost the Yanks, but what the hell was Damon thinking?  Johnny finished 0 for 3 and is now batting .236 on the season.

The Ugly:

No autographs!  Recently, a Japanese reporter asked Roger Clemens for an autograph and received a signed photo.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  Wrong!  For some reason, this is against "the rules" and the reporter was booted from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.  Seems kinda harsh, no?

The Yanks will bring out the brooms and go for the sweep on Thursday afternoon.  Chien-Ming Wang will get the honors and will go against Dustin McGowan.  McGowan has a thing for the number five; he's 5-5 on the year with a 5.05 ERA.  The Wanger will try and push his win total to 11 and extend the Yankees winning streak to six and move the team five games over .500 on the season.

Let's see what the numbers have in store for the Yanks on Thursday.