Offense to the rescue!
Darrell Rasner persevered through five and Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Brett Gardner drove in three runs apiece as the
Yanks ripped the Blue Jays 9-4 at the Rogers Centre. This wasn't a game for the time capsule -- each team made two errors and left a small army on the basepaths -- but it was the Bombers biggest offensive explosion since their 18-run outburst against the Texas Rangers on July 2.
Rasner wasn't sharp and gave up four runs in the first after Jeter spotted him a 1-0 lead in the top of the frame. But to be fair, the Ras was also betrayed by his defense. Bobby Abreu misplayed two balls in right (although neither play resulted in an error) and Chad Moeller was called for catcher's interference during the Blue Jays four-run first, but Rasner battled and didn't allow a run the rest of the way. In the end, he was rewarded with his fifth win of the season. And the bullpen relief of Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins combined to allow just one baserunner in four innings to seal the victory.
The Good:Derek Jeter. El Capitan got the Yankees off and running with an opposite-field blast to lead off the game. It was Jeter's first homer in nearly a month -- his last dinger came on June 13 against the Houston Astros. It was DJ's fifth round-tripper of the year and 200th of his career. Jeter also drove in the second run of the Yankees four-run second inning on an error by second baseman Marco Scutaro. It could (should) have been an inning-ending double play, but you can't assume the DP (for whatever reason) so Jeter was awarded an RBI. Then Jeter completed the trifecta by driving in Gardner with an RBI-single to center in the third to give the Yanks an 8-4 lead. Three innings -- three runs batted in for The Captain. Not too shabby. Jeter finished 2 for 5 with a run scored and 3 RBIs.
Alex Rodriguez. The final score doesn't reflect it, but the Yanks were down early and A-Rod's at-bat in the second inning was critical (at the time). The Yanks were down 4-3 and had the bases loaded with two outs. Toronto starter Jesse Litsch was on the ropes, but if he got out of the inning with the lead it may have turned his outing around. A-Rod didn't give him that chance. Rodriguez laced a two-run single to center to give the Yanks a 5-4 lead and they never looked back. A-Rod added career homer No. 537 in the fourth inning to pass Mickey Mantle for 13th place on the all-time list. It was an all-or-nothing afternoon for A-Rod. He finished with two hits, but also whiffed three times. Hey, these things happen. Rodriguez finished 2 for 5 with a run scored and 3 ribbies.
Brett Gardner. The rookie's average doesn't show it, but he really looks like he knows what he's doing at the plate (well, I hope he knows what he's doing, right?). Gardner cut into the Yankees three-run deficit with an RBI-single in the second after a tough at-bat. Then in the third, Gardner padded the Bomber lead with a two-run base hit to right that gave the Yanks a 7-4 lead. But he isn't just a punch and judy hitter -- the kid also has an eye. Gardner finished 2 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and 3 runs batted in.
The Bad:Jason Giambi. There was only one Yankee who didn't reach base Saturday afternoon and that man was The 'Stache. Giambi also seems like he's starting to hit the wall -- he's batting .137 so far in July. The fans decision to keep him out of the All-Star Game may be a blessing in disguise. The upcoming time off should recharge The Giambino's batteries for the second half. Giambi finished 0 for 4.
The Ugly:Paradise regained? The Yanks signed pitcher
Eric Milton to a minor league deal Friday. The left-handed starter was drafted by the Yankees in 1996, but was traded to the Minnesota Twins in a deal that brought second baseman Chuck Knoblauch to the Bronx before the 1998 season. Milton is recovering from Tommy John surgery he had last June and will continue his rehab at the Yankees Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla. "Obviously, we'll have to see how he does. But it's the beginning stages of him
getting back to the big leagues," Joe Girardi said. I'm not sure if the Yanks expect Milton to be able to contribute to the team this season, but I would be shocked if he could. I also hope this isn't the only move the Yanks are going to make to sure up the starting rotation.
Also, sad news from the Yankee family.
Bobby Murcer passed away Saturday after a battle with brain cancer. The former Yankee player and broadcaster was 62. Daily News writer Bill Madden has a great piece on Murcer and even though I never met him personally, his easygoing and friendly nature translated through the television screen. I was too young to remember Bobby Murcer the baseball player, but he has a special link to a player I grew up idolizing, Don Mattingly. Both players had the unfortunate fate of missing championship seasons during their careers in New York. Murcer came to the Yankees after their World Series run in the early '60s and was in Chicago during the championship years in the late '70s. Mattingly also missed out -- he arrived after that '70s run and left just before the dynasty of the late '90s. In a way, I think that endeared both players to the fans. Ask any Yankee fan who grew up during the late 1960s to name their favorite player and almost every one will respond with Bobby Murcer. Rest in peace, Bobby.
The Yankees will wrap up the first half Sunday afternoon and send Andy Pettitte (10-6, 3.93 ERA) to the hill. The Blue Jays will counter with A.J. Burnett (9-8, 5.23 ERA). I have no idea how Burnett is only one game over .500 with an ERA in the 5's, but it does seem to be a fact. I checked. Twice. Burnett earned his first win of the season against the Yanks on April 2, and is 4-2 with a 3.18 ERA in seven career starts against the Bombers. Pettitte has pitched like a man possessed lately. The crafty lefty is 7-1 in his past 10 starts and is coming off an impressive performance against the Tampa Bay Rays. Pettitte went eight shutout innings, giving up only four hits and no walks in a 5-0 Yankee victory. Andy is 11-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 17 career appearances against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Let's see if the Yanks can take the rubber game and finish with a win before the break.
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