Brett Gardner delivers walk-off in 12th

The Yankees finished their sweep of the Rangers, but it took more than nine innings. After an excellent spot start by journeyman Brian Gordon, the Yankees finally got a hit with a runner in scoring position from Brett Gardner in the 12th inning.

Scoreboard Says:
Yankees 3, Rangers 2
W: Cory Wade*
L: Michael Kirkman

A-Rod’s A-Bombs down O’s, 4-3

The Yankees couldn’t afford to lose the series opener against the Orioles. Baltimore closer Koji Uehara was one strike away from a 3-1 win, but with a quick turn of the hips Alex Rodriguez made it 4-3. Then Mo handled his business. I think you get the picture.

Best of All: The ninth-inning blast was A-Rod’s second of the game, giving him 25 for the year. He needs five more in the 15 remaining games to give him 13 consecutive years of 30 homers and 100 RBIs. Nobody’s ever done that before. Ever.

A.J. Burnett wasn’t bad A.J. I’ll take 7 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 6 K out of him any day of the week.

Worst of All: Mark Teixeira went 0-for-5 with a couple of K’s. That’s about it.

Coming Up: Game 2 is Saturday night featuring CC Sabathia in search of his 20th win of the year.

Swisher says, ‘It’s pie time!’

I think it’s safe to say the reason why MLB.com wasn’t able to provide the box score right after the game was because Nick Swisher pied it.

Yes, Swisher was pied today. He hit a two-run, walk-off blast in the ninth to lead the Yankees to a 3-2 win over the Orioles. Baltimore was just two outs shy of sweeping New York.

Best of All: Ivan Nova pitched well enough for a win, but didn’t get the run support: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

The bullpen did a really nice job of holding the Orioles to two runs. A lot of times in the past we’ve scene the bullpen allow one extra insurance run late and that comes back to haunt the Yankees. Today, that didn’t happen and Swisher made the bullpen look like champs.

Worst of All: It would’ve been awful if the Orioles had swept the Yankees at home. It hasn’t happened since 1986.

The Yanks only had four hits and six base runners off Brad Bergesen. Really?

Coming Up: Three runs won’t be enough this weekend, as the Yankees head down to Texas for a three-game series.

Papel-bombed! A-Rod, Thames deliver ninth-inning heroics

After blowing a five-run lead, the Yankees trailed by two going into the bottom of the ninth against Jonathan Papelbon. The day after Mariano Rivera blew a save, the Yankees were the ones who came from behind, as Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer to tie it and Marcus Thames blasted a two-run shot to win it, 11-9, in walk-off fashion for the first time all year.

Best of all: Javier Vazquez, whose last relief appearance against the Red Sox in The Bronx goes without being said, earned the W by striking out Kevin Youkilis in the top half of the ninth.

Worst of all: The Yankees held a 6-1 lead after two innings. They should never have been trailing, especially with the emerging Phil Hughes toeing the rubber.

Line of the Night: A-Rod+Thames: 4-for-9, 3 R, 8 RBI, 2 HR.

Up Next: Game 2 of this two-game series is same place, same time, with CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett starting.

Yankees walk-offs 2009

The year 2009 may forever be known as “The year of the walk-off.” The new Yankee Stadium hosted 15 walk-offs for the Yankees. No, that’s surprisingly not the record. The Pirates did it 17 times in 1959 and 1977 (thanks Larry).

Anyway, here are all 15 13 of my game posts on the walk-off wins.
 
April 22 vs. A's — Melky Cabrera
May 1 vs. Angels — Jorge Posada
May 15 vs. Twins — Cabrera (2)
May 16 vs. Twins — Alex Rodriguez
May 17 vs. Twins — Johnny Damon
May 23 vs. Phillies — Cabrera (3)
June 12 vs. Mets — Rodriguez (2) — I was at my first concert! 
July 4 vs. Blue Jays — Posada (2)
July 20 vs. Orioles — Hideki Matsui
Aug. 7 vs. Red Sox — Rodriguez (3)
Aug. 12 vs. Blue Jays — Robinson Cano
Aug. 28 vs. White Sox — Cano (2)
Sept. 8 vs. Rays — Nick Swisher — Working a TV show at QU
Sept. 16 vs. Blue Jays — Francisco Cervelli
Sept. 29 vs. Royals — Juan Miranda
Oct. 9 vs. Twins — Mark Teixeria (ALDS)

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The most satisfying walk-off in my opinion was A-Rod’s third of the year against the Red Sox on Aug. 7, headlined “The best game ever played.” I watched it with my summer ball battery mate, a Boston fan. Even though his team came up on the losing end, he was a good enough sport to realize he had just watched an amazing game. It was especially inspiring to us because it was a pitchers’ duel. I’ll remember that night forever. Thanks, Gagey!

Juan Miranda eats a pie, Yanks do it again

September call-up Juan Miranda grounded a ball off Kyle Farnsworth’s leg to drive in the game-winning run with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning. The 4-3 win over the Royals (64-94) was No. 102 for the Yankees (102-56).

Quick ‘Cap:
The Yanks couldn’t solve Royals’ starter Anthony Lerew until Mark Teixeira blasted his 39th bomb of the season in the sixth inning. That tied the score at 1, but Phil Coke’s fielding circus in the seventh allowed two unearned runs. Nick Swisher cut the deficit in half with a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh to begin breathing down the Royals’ necks.

Farnsworth came on to close out the game and struck out Brett Gardner to start the inning. Then singles from Francisco Cervelli and Eric Hinske set up Robinson Cano’s game-tying sacrifice fly. Then Hinske advanced to third when he stole second and catcher John Buck’s throw went into center field. Farnsworth intentionally walked the struggling Johnny Damon to get to Miranda, and the rest is history.

A.J. Burnett pitched his third straight strong outing, but didn’t get a win to show for it this time. David Robertson and Brian Bruney pitched the final two innings, and Bruney improved to 5-0 with the win. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
It was the 15th time this season the Yankees have walked off with a win. It’s truly incredible. This team’s balance is really being exhibited down the stretch here. With the division already wrapped up, most of my attention has been focused on the Twins and Tigers.

Line of the Night:
Burnett: 6-1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, 8 K. I’m content with that if he can do it in the postseason.

Up Next:
The Yanks could make it eight straight with a win on Wednesday. Joba Chamberlain (9-6, 4.72) toes the rubber against Robinson Tejada (4-2, 3.41).

This week on Pied: Francisco Cervelli

On this week’s episode of the new hit TV show on the Yes Network, Pied, Francisco Cervelli was, pied, in the face. Cervelli licked the whipped cream off his face after grounding a walk-off base hit into left to give the Yankees (94-53) a 5-4 victory over the Blue Jays (66-80). It was the 14th walk-off win of the season for the Yankees, which leads all of baseball.

Quick ‘Cap:
I feel like the same guys are providing the RBIs during the game, and then it’s a different guy to get the walk-off hit every time. Hideki Matsui’s two-run homer in the eighth inning tied the game at four. Brett Gardner led off the ninth with a line drive single up the gut, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and then scored on Cervelli’s hit.

Chad Gaudin pitched another solid game — not quite as good as last time, but still good enough to win. Then, as always, Joe Girardi used five pitchers to close out the final 3-1/3 innings of the game. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth to earn the win. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
Another day, another walk-off win for the Yanks. This is really a magical team. I’m not sure if it has what the 1998 team had, but let me tell you, it’s definitely close.

Line of the Night:
Damaso Marte: 1/3 IP, zeroes, K. That’s right. He pitched to one batter, a lefty, and struck him out. Now, let’s see him do that 27 times in a row.

Up Next:
The Yanks get an off-day on Thursday, but head out to Seattle for a weekend series. A series preview will be posted before the first pitch.

Cano’s walk-off homer downs White Sox

Robinson Cano’s three-run homer in the 10th inning led the Yankees (80-48) past the White Sox (64-65).

Quick ‘Cap:
The White Sox squeaked across two runs off CC Sabathia in the seventh inning to tie the game at 2. The only offense for the Yankees came on Derek Jeter’s leadoff homer in the first and Johnny Damon’s leadoff homer in the third.

Sabathia struck out 10 in his effort to reach six wins in August, but the game was handed to the bullpen after the seventh. Phil Hughes, Mariano Rivera and Brian Bruney each contributed a perfect inning. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
I’m really happy for Cano, who rarely comes through with runners in scoring position. Mark Buehrle and Sabathia lived up to the hype, as both were rock-solid all night.

Line of the Night:
Hughes: 1 IP, zeroes, 3 K. All three strikeouts were swinging. That’s nasty.

Up Next:
Jose Contreras (5-12, 5.09) was finally announced as tonight’s starter, and he will face Sergio Mitre (2-1, 6.82).

Robbie Cano, don’t cha know! (seriously)

Heading into today’s game, Robinson Cano was batting .203 with runners in scoring position this year. Cano overcame the percentages and delivered a walk-off single in the 11th inning to lead the Yankees (71-43) to a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays (54-59).

Quick ‘Cap:
Johnny Damon and Cano hit solo shots in the third and fourth innings, but the Blue Jays tied the score at 3 with two runs in the sixth off A.J. Burnett. Burnett worked his way out of numerous jams in his six innings of work, surrendering 10 hits in the process.

It would stay tied until Cano hit one off the wall, easily scoring Alex Rodriguez from second base in the 11th. Phil Coke, David Robertson, Phil Hughes and Chad Gaudin combined for five innings of shutout relief. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
Cano is absolutely on fire right now. Good to see him come through with runners on, finally. It was the 11th walk-off win for the Yankees this season

Note: Derek Jeter scored after being hit on the foot with a curveball in the first inning. His X-rays came up negative, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a day or two off.

Line of the Night:
Hideki Matsui: 0-for-5, 2 K. Mark Teixeira gets a day off finally, and this is how Matsui replaces him in the No. 3 spot.

Up Next:
The Yankees head to the west coast for a four-game series with Seattle. Full series preview up tomorrow.

The best game ever played

Four-hundred-ninety-four pitches, five hours and 33 minutes, 15 innings, one home run. If you did not watch the game last night, you should seriously consider buying the game from MLB.com and watch the entire thing.

The Yankees (67-42) beat the Red Sox (62-46) on a two-run, walk-off home run by Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the 15th inning to break a scoreless tie.

Quick ‘Cap:
Since runs were a foreign language to the Yankees and Red Sox last night, the only thing to talk about is the pitching. A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett, in their third matchup this season, finally lived up to expectations. Burnett fell one out shy of eight complete innings, and Beckett’s night ended after seven.

Fourteen strikeouts for both teams, but the MVP of the bullpen goes to Alfredo Aceves. He pitched three innings, struck out three and obviously did so in shutout fashion. Full box score here.

Line of the Night:
Johnny Damon: 0-for-7, 2 K. Way to show your former team, Damon.

Up Next:
The Yankees can with series with a win on Saturday. Remember, the Red Sox are still 8-2 against the Yanks this season, but now the Yanks are 4.5 games ahead.

Yanks win 2-1, again

If you haven’t heard, the Yankees (55-37) won 2-1 last night against the Orioles (41-51) on Hideki Matsui’s walk-off homer in the ninth. Eric Hinske homered for the fourth time as a Yankee in as many starts. The win ties them with the Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

Peter Abraham is reporting it is the first time in team history they have won three straight games by a score of 2-1.

Posada, Yankees walk off with win in 12th

Jorge Posada singled in the winning run for the Yankees (47-33) in the 12th inning to beat the Blue Jays (42-40) 6-5 on Independence Day.

Quick ‘Cap:
The Yankees collected five runs off Roy Halladay, four coming off home runs by Hideki Matsui, Posada and Johnny Damon. Damon’s two-run homer in the seventh tied the game up at five, and it would remain tied until Posada’s hit in the 12th.

Chien-Ming Wang pitched 5-1/3 quality innings, but left with a right shoulder strain immediately after surrendering a two-run homer to Adam Lind. He left with just 66 pitches, and seemed to be on his way to his first great outing of the year.

The Yankees bullpen pitched the last six innings in shutout fashion, and Brett Tomko ended up with his first win of the season. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
Wang’s status might be more important than this one win, as he could bring many more wins to the Yankees if he’s healthy. I’m happy for Jorge and still shocked that the Yankees banged out nine hits off Halladay.

Line of the Day:
Robinson Cano: 0-for-6, 10 players left on base. Fans are asking for his head, yet he still holds the second highest batting average on the Yanks.

Up Next:
The Yankees can take the series on Sunday’s matinee game, as they send out Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.89) who will face Scott Richmond (6-5, 3.69).

Yankees resume walk-off ways

In the beginning of their recent winning streak, the Yankees used three walk-off wins to gain momentum. After the streak finally ended last night, the Yanks may have gotten back on track with another walk-off win. Melky Cabrera’s RBI single in the ninth propelled the Yankees (25-18) to a 5-4 win over the Phillies (23-18).

Quick ‘Cap:
The Yanks and Phils scored a run in the second inning, and the game remained tied until the fifth. Raul Ibanez hit his league-leading 17th homer, and Nick Swisher’s groundout scored Robinson Cano. Lefties J.A. Happ and Andy Pettitte were both strong throughout the game, but Pettitte ran into trouble in the fifth inning.

Phillies rookie John Mayberry wacked a three-run homer to left to open up the game, but Pettitte would stay strong through seven innings. Yankee captain Derek Jeter started the eventual comeback with a solo jack in the sixth to make the score 4-2.

Brad Lidge entered in the ninth inning looking for his ninth save, but the Yankees did not go quietly. Johnny Damon drew a leadoff walk, and after Mark Teixeira struck out, Alex Rodriguez tied it up with one swing. It was his sixth home run in eight days. The Yankees weren’t done, as Robinson Cano singled and stole second with still just one out. Cabrera singled to right-center field and Cano scored easily.

Thoughts:
Another walk-off win for the Yankees – their fourth on this homestand alone. A walk-off win occasionally is bound to happen, but this many so quickly is a sign of real clutch hitting. It is the best way to win, and it seems the Yankees are the best at it.

Noteworthy Performances:
- Phil Coke tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings after Pettitte left. He allowed one hit to Chase Utley, but was a big key to the win.

Up Next:
Sunday’s afternoon matchup in in line to be a great one. Two stud lefties Cole Hamels (2-2, 4.95) and CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.43) will duel in the rubber match.

Yankees clinch series with Damon’s walk-off

I think the Yankees are running out of pies. Each time the Yankees walk off with a win at home, the player who had the game-winning hit takes a pie in the face.

Johnny Damon was the recipient of the latest pie, as he crushed a solo homer in the 10th inning for the Yankees (20-17) to beat the Twins (18-20) 3-2. For the Yankees, it was their fifth consecutive win and seventh of their last nine.

Quick ‘Cap:

A.J. Burnett and Kevin Slowey matched zeroes through six innings, but both succumbed in the seventh. The Twins scored their first run on a walk and two singles, and their second came on a wild pitch – Burnett threw two against Joe Mauer and Nick Punto came all the way around to score from second base.

After Jonathan Albaladejo finished the seventh for Burnett, Alex Rodriguez led off the bottom of the inning. He homered to left on the second pitch he saw from Slowey. That hit regained the momentum for the Yanks, and Hideki Matsui immediately followed with a double. Then the Yankees played a little small ball to tie it up. Nick Swisher lay down a sac-bunt to move Matsui to third, and Melky Cabrera hit a sac-fly to left.

The Yankees almost won the game in the ninth inning on a quirky play. With Brett Gardner at second, Francisco Cervelli hit a comebacker to the mound and it was knocked down by the pitcher. Mauer scrambled out from behind home to grab the ball and throw out Cervelli, but he faked the throw when he saw Gardner bolting around third. As Gardner dove for home, Mauer dove for Gardner and barely tagged him out before his hands touched the plate.

Alfredo Aceves relieved Mariano Rivera in the tenth and shut the Twins down once again. After Derek Jeter grounded out to lead off the 10th, Damon followed with the walk-off bomb. Full box score here.

Thoughts:

A Yankee fan could not ask for any more excitement in these past three games. Three walk-off win’s in a row, are you kidding me?

Noteworthy Performances:

- The hero, Damon, was 3-for-5 in the game with the home run. He is now batting .324.

- Burnett pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up six hits and two runs, but struck out seven. He walked six Twins hitters in his 123-pitch outing

- Brett Tomko and Mark Teixeira may have saved the game in the top of the eighth. Tomko entered the game with the bases loaded and one out. He induced a hard grounder to Teixeira that he nabbed with a dive to his backhand, and then came to his feet to throw out the runner at home.

Up Next:

The Yankees look to sweep Monday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Two southpaws Glen Perkins (1-2, 4.27) and Andy Pettitte (3-1, 4.00) will start in the duel.

Teixeira’s big day and A-Rod’s ‘A-Bomb’ boosts Yanks past Twins in extras

How does two walk-off wins in a row sound to you? Last night it was Melky Cabrera, and today it was Alex Rodriguez. Although, it was Mark Teixeira’s perfect day at the plate that propelled the Yankees (19-17) to a 6-4 victory over the Twins (18-19) in 11 innings.

Quick ‘Cap:

Down 1-0 in the third, Teixeira crushed a three-run jack to right-center field to give the Yankees a lead they would hold until the eighth.

Both M&M boys Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau homered for the second straight game to keep the Twins in the game. Mauer’s came off Joba Chamberlain in the fourth, and Morneau’s was off Phil Coke. Coke had saved Jose Veras in the seventh by escaping a big jam. But after taking care of Mauer in the eighth, he grooved one to Morneau and he didn’t miss. A walk and a double later, the Twins were on top 4-3 and Coke was gone.

In the bottom of the eighth, Hideki Matsui led off with a pinch-hit ground-rule double – that was originally called a home run by John Sterling (he didn’t see it bounce). Luckily for the Yanks, Teixeira, who could not be retired by any Twins pitcher, drove in the tying run with two out for his fourth hit of the game.

Mariano Rivera pitched through an easy ninth and a scary 10th, but the Yankees couldn’t score for him. Alfredo Aceves pitched a 1-2-3 11th to give the Yankees’ meat of the order a crack at breaking the tie. Tex led off with a walk, and A-Rod smoked a no-doubter to left-center. It was the Yanks’ second walk-off in as many days, and their fourth straight win.

Thoughts:

Even though the win is a great sign for the Yankees, who have forgotten how to lose, the more important story is the emergence of Teixeira. Ever since his two-homer game against the Red Sox on May 4, he has been on a hitting tear. He’s batting .327 with five homers and 14 RBI. Last night it was the kids who won the game, and today it was the vets. The Yankees lineup is as potent as ever, and the starting pitching has put them in position to win ballgames.

Noteworthy Performances:

- Teixeira went 4-for-4 with four RBI and a walk. This is what the Yankees have been waiting for, and it paid off today.

- Rodriguez went 1-for-4, but his one hit was a walk-off homer. However, he’s still batting just .154. Hopefully today’s game can jumpstart his bat.

Up Next:

The Yankees look to take the series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m., and the game will be aired on TBS for those who don’t get the YES Network. Kevin Slowey (5-1, 4.91) will pitch against A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.36).

Melky’s walk-off gives Yanks third straight win

Maybe the battle for center field between Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner is a meaningless. After Johnny Damon was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, Gardner took over the game and again ignited a late comeback. But Cabrera became the hero in the ninth as the Yankees (18-17) nipped the Twins (18-18) 5-4.

Quick ‘Cap:
Justin Morneau homered twice off Phil Hughes – his second gave the Twins a 3-0 lead in the fifth. The Yankee captain Derek Jeter began chipping away at the deficit with a solo shot to where else but right field. Hughes left after the fifth, and Phil Coke allowed a bases-empty home run to Joe Mauer in the seventh.

Francisco Liriano was taken out after six innings of work (six walks), and Gardner took advantage of the situation. He blooped a fly ball barely fair down the left field line and the ball took a top spin hop past Denard Span, opening the door for Brett “the jet” to use his wheels. He sped around all three bases and dove in head first at home for an inside-the-parker, making the score 4-2.

Joe Nathan came on in the ninth looking for his seventh save, but the Yankees had other plans. After a leadoff triple from Gardner, Mark Teixeira singled up the middle to bring in Gardner. A couple of walks and a couple of outs later, Cabrera stepped up to the batter’s box with the bases loaded. He jumped on the first pitch he saw from Nathan and inserted it in the gap in left-center field. “And the Yankees win the game!” – Michael kay. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
I think Melky and Brett do better when both are in the game at the same time, even though there’s only room for one of them in center field. Anyway, what a way to start a homestand. That’s three in a row, and five out of seven.

Noteworthy Performances:
- Alex Rodriguez received cheers before his first at bat, but after he struck out with the bases loaded in his second AB, he heard the boos. He finished his Yankee Stadium debut 0-for-1 with four walks.
- Gardner went 3-for-3, just a double short of the cycle. His hot hitting as of late has lifted his average to .256.

Up Next:
Game 2 of the series will be a Saturday matinee featuring Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32) and Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89). First pitch is set for 1:05.

Posada hits walk off No. 2 at Yankee Stadium

I saw the best game of any Yankee fan tonight. I saw the first three innings, went on a two-and-a-half-hour dinner break, and then saw the Yankees' ninth inning rally. This is probably the best win at the new Yankee Stadium thus far - a six-run come-from-behind win.

Quick 'Cap:

The Yankees scored early off Jered Weaver. Jorge Posada capped the four-run rally with a two-run bomb to right. Weaver settled down for the next four innings, and Andy Pettitte continued to put up zeroes until the sixth inning.

The Angels connected for four singles off Pettitte to force him out of the game. Mark Melancon, entering the game with an 0.00 ERA, allowed a bases-clearing triple to Gary Matthews Jr. giving his team a 6-4 lead.

The Angels extended their lead to 9-4 with three runs off Jose Veras, but unfortunately for them, Melky Cabrera and Ramiro Pena were coming up in the eighth. After Melky drove in one run with a single, Pena scored two with a single of his own to bring the game within one run. Then the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs against Angels closer Brian Fuentes for Jorge Posada. With the less-than-filled Yankee Stadium crowd on their feet, Posada delivered the key two-run single to left-center. Full box score here.

Thoughts:

Another walk-off, another win for the Yankees. Before this series, I predicted a sweep on Fletch's blog. I am sticking to it.

Offensive Notables:

- Posada hit a homer and a walk-off in the same game. Enough said.

- Pena had his first career three hit game. Who needs A-Rod, when you have Pena?

Pitching Notables:

- Jonathan Albaladejo and Edwar Ramirez were the only two to hold the Angels scoreless, as they finished the last 2 1-3 innings of the game.

Up Next:

The Yankees look to clinch the series tomorrow afternoon with their $161 million man pitching. CC Sabathia (1-2, 4.73 ERA) takes on Matt Palmer (1-0, 6.00 ERA).

The Melk man delivers in extras

In a game that should have been won in the seventh inning, Melky Cabrera homered twice - his second being a walk-off homer in the 14th inning. It's hard to remember that CC Sabathia started the game, but he did, and was less than impressive. The win makes it three straight heading into Boston for the first of 18 games in the season series.

Quick 'Cap:

The first seven innings were completely different than the last seven. The first seven featured both teams in a game of tug of war and both were still tied by the end of the seventh.

The game remained tied at seven for six and a half innings behind superb pitching from both squads - Dan Giese for the A's and Jose Veras for the Yanks.

After Nick Swisher walked for the third time in the game in the bottom of the 14th, Cabrera delivered the with a booming line drive to a half-empty set of right field seats. Full box score here.

Thoughts:

I thought it was a huge win because of the confidence it gives to the bullpen. 7 1/3 innings of shutout baseball is very nice to see, especially coming after Sabathia's wretched start.

Also, the emergence of Melky could be today, as he has upped his batting average to .304 with his two homers today. Brett Gardner pinch hit for Cody Ransom in a bases loaded, one-out situation, and popped up to third. So even though Gardner blew Cabrera out of the water in spring training, Cabrera is proving that he can do it in the majors. It will be interesting to see how Joe Girardi splits up their time in center the rest of the season.

Offensive Notables:

- Cabrera's two homers were the difference in the game. He totalled three RBI, but also struck out three times. Go figure.

- Each of the Yankees' starters collected one hit and seven collected at least two. They combined for 16 hits and seven walks leaving 13 men on base.

Pitching Notables:

- Sabathia pitched terribly and it showed on his line: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB and 2 K.

- Jose Veras pitched 3.1 terrific innings. He baffled the A's with his breaking pitch and struck out four to earn the win.

Up Next:

The Yankees will enjoy an off day tomorrow and travel up to Boston to begin a three-game weekend series. The first matchup is Joba Chamberlain vs. Jon Lester at 7:10 p.m. on Friday.