I thought the Yanks would have to put on their hitting shoes to have a chance in Game 2.

Well, the Yankees proved me right.

The Bombers banged out 20 hits and shelled Tampa Bay 17-5 at The Stadium.  Matt DeSalvo didn't pitch well, but it didn't matter as every starter had at least one hit and Luis Vizcaino vultured his second win of the day as the Yanks swept the doubleheader.  The Yankees now stand 7.5 games behind the BoSox in the AL East and 6.5 behind the Indians for the wild card.

The Good:

Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod's subpar July has flown a bit under the radar, but he broke out of his slump in a big way on Saturday night.  His RBI-double capped a three-run Yankee first and his 33rd homer of the year put the finishing touch on a five-run sixth inning.  Rodriguez has alternated between hot and cold months this season.  Maybe A-Rod is getting a jump on a hot August.  Rodriguez finished 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs.

Johnny Damon.  I've been hard on Damon the last few days (and with good cause), but he showed why the Yanks are reluctant to take him out of the lineup.  Johnny got the start in left on Saturday and made a snazzy catch to kill a Devil Ray rally in the second inning and preserve a 3-2 Yankee lead.  He also had his most productive night at the plate for the first time in weeks.  Damon may have hit the ugliest, softest doubles in the history of baseball, but that's just his game.  He does everything ugly (hit, run, throw, field), but he gets the job done.  Damon finished 2 for 5 with 3 runs scored, a walk, a stolen base and 4 ribbies.

Bobby Abreu.  Abreu got the Yanks rolling with a two-run double in the first.  For some reason, Abreu holds the key to the Yankees' success.  On July 13, Abreu was batting .381 with 5 homers, 43 runs scored and 35 RBI in Yankee wins and .154 with 1 HR, 15 runs scored and 9 RBI in Yankee loses.  Thanks to LoHud for the stats.  Better keep hitting, Bobby.  Abreu finished 2 for 4 with a walk, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in.

Hideki Matsui.  The man just can't be stopped.  Godzilla launched his second homer of the day and 16th overall.  The tater didn't mean anything score-wise (it capped a five-run seventh inning for the Yanks and made the score 17-5), but it was Matsui's 8th dinger of the month.  Godzilla finished 1 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and 3 RBI.

The Bad:

Matt DeSalvo.  DeSalvo didn't have it and missed an opportunity for an easy win.  The Yanks presented him with a 7-2 lead and DeSalvo couldn't make it out of the fifth inning.  Looks like Kei Igawa is going to stay in the Yankee rotation.  For now.  DeSalvo was optioned back to Scranton after his disappointing performance and lefty reliever Sean Henn was called up.  The rookie's line: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K. 

The Ugly:

Great game, now get out.  Wil Nieves probably had his best game as a pro on Saturday night.  The Yankee backup catcher finished 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 2 sac bunts and 2 runs batted in.  His reward?  A ticket back to the minors.  The Yanks made a trade with the Angels for catcher Jose Molina during Game 2.  Nieves has been terrible as Posada's caddy and it was just a matter of time before the Yanks looked for an upgrade.  Molina is batting .228 on the season with no homers and 10 RBIs.  Doesn't sound like much, but Nieves is batting .164 with no homers and 8 runs batted in.  And that's after his game on Saturday.  Molina is also a much better defensive player.  See ya around, Wil.

The Yanks will try and make it three out of four against the Rays on Sunday as Andy Pettitte goes against James Shields.  Shields is one of two shining stars on the D-Rays pitching staff (Scott Kazmir is the other) and will enter the game with an impressive 8-5 mark and a 3.91 ERA.  The Yanks defeated the promising youngster on July 12.  Pettitte was the benefactor of that game and will be going for win number 6 on the season.  Pettitte has hit a bit of a rough patch, but he pitched well in his last start; going seven innings and allowing only one run in a no decision to the Blue Jays.

With the way the Yanks have been hitting, maybe Pettitte can pick himself up an easy victory.