This team can score runs!

Alex Rodriguez clouted a homer and drove in three, Robinson Cano continued his torrid hitting and Sidney Ponson did just enough as the Yanks crushed the Twins 12-4 at The Stadium.  This game was knotted at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the second, but that's when the Bombers seized control.  The Yankees put up a four-spot in the frame, two in the third and put the game away with three more in the sixth.  Johnny Damon made his return from the disabled list and contributed with a double and an RBI (and another broken bat), Derek Jeter blasted a round-tripper into the bleachers in right and the bullpen trio of Edwar Ramirez, David Robertson and LaTroy Hawkins was nearly flawless as the Yankees cruised to their fourth straight victory.

The Good:

Alex Rodriguez.  It's been a roller-coaster month of July for Rodriguez (personally and on the diamond), but it looks like he's ready to go on a tear.  At the plate that is.  A-Rod belted his 21st home run in the first to give the Yanks a quick 2-0 lead.  Rodriguez then knocked out Twins starter Nick Blackburn in the second with an RBI-single to left that put the Yankees up 6-2.  The Bombers have been scrapping on offense, but if A-Rod catches fire he may be able to carry this team like he did in the early part of 2007.  Rodriguez finished 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and 3 runs batted in.

Robinson Cano.  If only Robbie could bottle this second-half magic.  Cano continued to sizzle and pushed his average to .260 with another multi-hit game.  That makes four in a row.  Canu went upper tank in the third for his eighth homer of the year and second in four games.  He added an RBI-single in the sixth.  Robbie entered the game batting .345 so far in July.  That number will go up after Monday night.  Cano finished 2 for 5 with a run scored and 2 ribbies.

Jose Molina.  Wally Pipp anyone?  OK, that's beyond absurd, but the Yanks will be seeing a lot more of Molina (see: Ugly) and he responded with his first three-hit game of the season.  Even his out in the third inning was a productive one -- his ground ball to first moved Cano over to third base with one out.  Molina also showed he's got fire in the belly on a play at the plate in the second.  Brendan Harris rounded third on a base hit by Alexi Casilla and headed for home.  Bobby Abreu threw a strike to Molina and seemed to nail Harris.  Not so, according to home plate ump Mike Everitt.  It was a bang-bang play, but it looked like Molina made the tag.  The ball also beat Harris to the dish, which is usually a deciding factor.  Well, Molina was incensed.  He slammed his helmet to the ground and argued the call.  It went for naught, but it was good to see Molina fired up over the play.  Again, no one expects Molina to replace Jorge Posada offensively, but they won't lose anything defensively and I think the Yanks would be thrilled if he could hit around .240.  I think Molina is up to it.  Molina finished 3 for 4 with a run scored.

The Bad:

Jason Giambi.  Baseball is a humbling sport.  One day you're the hero, the next you're a bum.  All right, that's too harsh, but the Yankees banged out 16 hits on the night and not one of them came from Giambi.  Jay Jay was also the only starter to register a zero in the hit column.  It was one of those no-contact nights for Giambi -- four plate appearances equaled three strikeouts and a walk.  Don't fret, Jason.  There's always tomorrow.  Giambi finished 0 for 3 with a walk.

The Ugly:

Going under the knife?  The Yanks put Jorge Posada on the DL Monday.  I'm not a doctor, but even I could see that Posada's ailing right shoulder wasn't getting any better.  Jorgie tried his best to give it a go, but he couldn't throw runners out and was becoming a liability behind the plate.  Posada is scheduled to have an MRI on his shoulder Tuesday and will make a decision about season-ending surgery.  Jorge was going to have surgery at the end of the season regardless and the longer he puts it off, the longer it will take for him to come back next season.  The Yanks will definitely miss his bat and his leadership, but if I was Posada, I would have the surgery now and come back fresh next season.  Hopefully.

Darrell Rasner (5-7, 4.97 ERA) will go against Kevin Slowey (6-6, 4.26 ERA) in the middle game Tuesday night.  Slowey is 4-0 in his past six starts, but the Detroit Tigers blasted him for six runs on nine hits in his last start.  But the Twins came back to win the ballgame so Slowey picked up a lucky no-decision.  Slowey has made one career start against the Bombers and it wasn't a good one.  The Yanks five runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.  Rasner battled through five innings and picked up a win in his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays.  It was his first victory since he defeated the San Diego Padres on June 18.  The Twins handed Ranser and the Yanks a 5-1 loss on June 1 in Minnesota.  The Ras is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in two career starts against the Twinkies.

Let's see if Rasner can be the recipient of another offensive explosion. Leave a comment

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