I love it when a plan comes together.

Phil Hughes looked like an ace in only his fourth career start, A-Rod belted another long homer and the Yankees may have uncovered a new bullpen formula as they downed the Indians 6-1 at the Jake on Friday night.  The victory positions the Yanks five game back in the AL East and pulled them into a virtual tie with the (surprise, surprise) Seattle Mariners for the wild card lead.

The Good:

Phil Hughes.  Number 65 was dealing from the opening bell.  Sure, he found himself in a first inning jam when he allowed a two out double and then a walk, but the kid didn't panic and came back to strike out Jhonny Peralta to end the threat.  That was the only rally the Indians would muster against the rookie.  Hughes' nose-to-toes curveball was tight and his fastball looked, at times, overpowering.  The 21-year-old picked up his second career victory and strangely, both have come on the road.  Hughes' line: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR.  Way to go, Phillip.

Joba Chamberlain.  I'll admit I was a bit concerned when the Yankees called up Chamberlain from Scranton.  Oh sure, he rocketed up the minor league ranks and his numbers where borderline obscene, but I thought it was asking a lot from the kid to come and pitch in the late innings.  Well, Joba has quelled my fears.  The rookie came in and blew away a good hitting Cleveland lineup.  This could be the start of something special.  Chamberlain's eye-opening line: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

Alex Rodriguez.  It was another A-Bomb, from A-Rod on Friday night.  Rodriguez's 37th homer of the season (and 501st of his career) gave the Yanks an early 1-0 lead in the second.  The Indians couldn't keep the Yankee third baseman off the basepaths as A-Rod finished 1 for 1 with 2 walks, a run scored and his 110th RBI of the season.

The Bad:

Wilson Betemit.  Betemit was the only Yankee starter who didn't either pick up a hit or drive in a run on Friday night.  He did, however, lay down a pretty sac bunt in the second that led to a Yankee run.  That's how well things have been going in Yankee Land lately.  I'm nit-picking, but I have to criticize something in order to keep this team hungry. 

The Ugly:

Suspensions.  Roger Clemens was suspended for five games for drilling Alex Rios in the back during Wednesday night's game.  The suspension is dumb, but MLB has a knack for issuing dumb rulings.  But, why wasn't Blue Jays starter Josh Towers also suspended?  Both pitchers hit batters on purpose in that game.  Clemens won't appeal the suspension and began serving his sentence on Friday night.  This isn't the worst news in the world for the Yanks.  The time off will help The Rocket rest his weary bones and could bring up the third member of the Three Amigos, Ian Kennedy, from Triple-A.  It's always difficult, but maybe the Yanks could hit the trifecta with their young guns from the farm.

Mike Mussina tries to continue his momentum on Saturday and will go up against the wily Paul Byrd.  The Moose has won his last three starts and has gone into the sixth inning in all of them.  However, Mussina has struggled in his career against the Indians -- 10-9 with a 4.90 ERA.  Byrd has pitched extremely well for the Tribe this season sporting a 10-4 mark with a 4.13 ERA.  He's also coming off a complete game shutout against the Twins.

But right now the Yanks are showing that they can do more than just beat up on the also-rans in the league.

The summer resurgence rolls on.