Production From All

This was truly a team win. Hits from 8 different batters, and two 'reserve' pitchers combined to hold Tampa Bay in check. The Yanks were down 4-1, but came back to win despite the absence of Melky, Damon and Abreu, and Giambi and Posada going 0-7.

Hideki hit his first HR since May. The pitcher, James Shields, tried to throw 4 consecutive changeups, but the last one wasn't outside enough, and Matsui crushed a liner off the third deck facade.

Jeter's hit streak continued with a first inning single. Later in the game he also hit a 2-out rbi single (but then k'ed with runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out).

Arod hit a clutch 2-out, 2-run single to give the Yanks a 7-4 lead. However, the offensive hero was Robbie Cano again - hitting in the 3 spot. He had three 2-out rbi. He lined a double off Carl Crawford's glove that tied the game at 4. Then he lined another pitch to left to drive in the go-ahead run. The commentators said that Cano will be hitting in the 3 spot later in his career. I concur with this sentiment, and if he can learn plate discipline, and hit in 2-1 counts more often than 1-2 counts, he'll be an MVP candidate.

Why did Kaat call every offspeed pitch thrown tonight a 'changeup'? Some were clearly curves and sliders. It was almost like he wasn't watching...

On the pitchers:
Karstens made the emergency start because the Yanks didn't want to waste Wang on a rainy night. Jeff had his worst control of the season. His fastball was all over, and even Mr. Reliable, his change, was often thrown not where he wanted to. Despite that, he put together a gutsy outing, holding Tampa to 4 runs in 5 innings. Apparently his fastball has slowed during the course of the year. His AA coach said he was hitting 91-92 early this year. I guess the fatigue has gotten to him, because he only hit 89 tonight.

Rasner was again impressive. 4 innings of 1 hit ball. And it was great to give the pen a full day off. I wonder if either of these guys will make the postseason roster. Perhaps ahead of Lidle?

7-4 Yanks

3*: Rasner, 4 ip, 1 h, 0 bb, 5 k
3: Cano, 2-4, 2 2b, r, 3 rbi
2: Matsui, 1-3, HR, 2 r, rbi, bb
1: Arod, 1-4, 2 rbi
1: Jeter, 2-4, r, rbi
1: Thompson, 2-4, 2b, r