So, this is some of the best the American League has to offer?
Pffffft.
The Bombers banged out 19 hits, A-Rod went deep twice, Jason Giambi blasted a monster pinch-hit homer and Mike Mussina looked like The Moose from circa 2001 as the Yanks ripped the Indians 11-2 in Cleveland. The win keeps the Yanks tied with Seattle for the lead in the wild card race and 5 games back of the Red Sox in the AL East.
Watching the Indians offense struggle reminds me of how this Yankee squad was playing earlier in the season. The Tribe lineup is strong from top to bottom, but for some reason, everyone is slumping at the same time. The Yanks were able to put it together, but it was a long, arduous climb.
And nobody is going to feel sorry for you.
The Good:
Mike Mussina. The Moose was in total control on Saturday night. He worked quickly and efficiently and was throwing every one of his pitches for strikes. Mussina's turnaround has really been amazing. In his last four starts, Mussina is 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA. I gotta tell ya, I didn't see this coming. Mussina has been streaky at times during his career and it looks like he's in the middle of a hot one. The Moose upped his record to 8-7 with this gem: 7.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K.
Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod continued his quest for the MVP. His first two-run clout capped a seven run second inning for the Yankees and his two-run bomb in the eighth gave him five multi-homer games this season. Rodriguez is putting together perhaps the greatest single-season ever by a Yankee right handed batter. A-Rod finished 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Rodriguez's season totals to date: .301, 39 HR, 114 RBI.
Jose Molina. Jorge Posada missed his second game in a row with a stiff neck, but Molina and the Yanks haven't missed a beat. Molina had the first four-hit game of his career and is batting .300 since joining the Bombers. With all the movement on the Yankee roster recently, the acquisition of Molina may slip under the radar, but it's nice to know the Yanks now have a backup catcher who can get the job done on offense and defense. Molina finished 4 for 5 with a run scored.
The Bad:
Shelley Duncan. Duncan was the only Yankee who didn't pick up a hit on Saturday night. The reason? He was the only Yankee who didn't get an at-bat. Frankenstein went in to play first in the bottom of the ninth. Still, his name is in the box score and there's a goose egg in the hit column. C'mon Shelley -- you gotta want it! I kid, I kid. Duncan did make his presence know when he dived into the stands on a pop up down the first base line. He didn't get it, but it's nice to see that Duncan's motor is always running -- even in the ninth with the Yanks up 11-2.
The Ugly:
Ethan Hawke? During the Yankee broadcast on YES, Michael Kay shamelessly promoted his upcoming CenterStage and the guest was Ethan Hawke. Ethan Hawke? Hey, I loved Training Day and thought he was great, but Ethan Hawke? I guess things are going so swimmingly in Yankee Land that this has to be part of my "ugly" segment. I don't know -- it just seems like an odd guest to appear on the Michael Kay Show. I mean, CenterStage.
The Yankees will take out the brooms and try and make it a season sweep against the Tribe on Sunday afternoon. The Yankees swept the Indians in a three-game set at The Stadium in April. Andy Pettitte will be looking for his third straight victory and he'll oppose Cleveland righty, and former Yankee, Jake Westbrook. Pettitte had a rocky July (six starts, 6.96 ERA), but so far in August, he is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA. Westbrook pitched against the Yanks in April and was lathered for 8 runs and failed to make it out of the second inning. But, Westbrook has pitched well in his last two starts (2-0, 0.64 ERA).
The Yankees haven't swept an away series since way back in the beginning of May (three game sweep against the Rangers, including a doubleheader).
They'll get another shot on Sunday.
