Who says the Yanks buy all their players?

The bottom of the order, all brought up through the Yankee system, drove in five runs, Kei Igawa kept the Yanks in the game (despite giving up two more homers) and Mariano Rivera wiggled out of a ninth inning jam as the Bombers took Game 1 of two in the Bronx, 7-3.

The Good:

Robinson Cano.  Robbie continued his hot second half on Saturday.  He drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the sixth to give the Yanks a 3-2 lead.  The inning began with the first two batters reaching base, but Cano's hit came with two outs.  It would have been a real letdown if Robbie didn't get that base knock.  He's batting .360 in his last seven games and is hitting .323 in the month of July with 4 dingers.  Cano finished 2 for 4 with a run scored and a big ribbie.

Hideki Matsui.  Godzilla continued with his power surge as he belted his 7th homer of the month.  His two-run shot in the fourth tied the game at 2-2 and breathed new life into the Yanks.  Matsui finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.  So much for people thinking Matsui was finished.  History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men . . . Godzilla!

Andy Phillips.  Phillips is really starting to become one of my favorite players.  His two-run single extended the Yankee lead to 5-2 and really changed the tenor of the game.  Andy also continued to make nice plays at first.  It's hard not to root for this guy.  Phillips finished 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBIs.

Shelley Duncan.  Duncan capped off the five-run Yankee sixth with his first big league round-tripper.  He was so excited when he reached the dugout that he nearly took off Andy Phillips' head and almost ripped off Melky's arm.  Maybe Duncan can inject some more life into the Yankee lineup.  So far, so good.  Duncan finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and 2 runs batted in.

The Bad:

Scott Proctor.  Proctor had another shaky outing and forced Torre to bring Rivera into the game in a non save situation.  I like Proctor -- I like his stuff and I like his make-up.  It just seems like he's putting too much pressure on himself.  Maybe he needs to light another bonfire to set himself straight.  Proctor's line: 1+ IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR.

The Ugly:

I'm tired of rumors starting.  Maybe Proctor was affected by the trade rumors swirling around him.  His name has surfaced in many trade scenarios this season and the latest had the Yanks shipping Proctor to the D-Rays for utility man Ty Wigginton.  Wigginton has had a good year, but this deal really makes no sense for the Yanks.  Why would they trade a bullpen guy, and an important one, for a bench player?  Again, it's just speculation and rumor, but I hope this hypothetical doesn't come to fruition.

This was a big win for the Yanks.  It snapped a mini two-game losing streak which doesn't seem like a big deal, but the Yanks can't afford to lose to teams they should be beating if they want to make a run for the playoffs.

Game 2 of the double dip is set for a 7:05 start.  Matt DeSalvo will start his second stint in pinstripes as the Yanks go for the sweep.

Hope the Yanks have some more big hits left in their bats.