A Much Needed Victory

Turns out all the Yankees needed was a good starting performance from CC Sabathia and a big night from Nick Swisher to snap a three game losing streak. Sabathia was spectacular in his return, going 7.1 innings and allowing one run on an Asdrubel Cabrera home run. Aside from that, Sabathia mowed down the Indians lineup and got out of a couple of jams with runners in scoring position. In his 7.1 innings of work, Sabathia struck out nine batters and walked one. The Yankees will need their big ace lefty to be healthy if they want to go deep into the playoffs. With another lefty healthy (Andy Pettitte), the Yankees are almost guaranteed a lethal starting three in the playoffs.

The only offense the Yankees received tonight was courtesy of Nick Swisher, who was a triple short of the cycle. He had all three RBI in the game for the Yankees and without Swisher, the Yankee lineup did almost nothing against a below average pitching staff that is put out by the Indians. The offense slumping is just a phase the Yankees are going through in their extended stretch of not playing up to their potential. My opinion on the light hitting for the Yankees right now is that it is better to get it out of the way with thirty-seven games remaining rather than it happening again in a crucial playoff game. You have to give credit where credit is due. Nick Swisher has had many clutch hits for the Yankees and tonight is a prime example of his patient and selective approach at the plate.

Tomorrow, the red-hot Hiroki Kuroda will face the Tribe opposite Justin Masterson as the Yankees try to make it two straight against a reeling Indians team. Tomorrow, the Yankees need to bust out their hitting shoes because they can't have another nail-biter like they did tonight in the ninth inning. Soriano worked into and out of trouble in the ninth with the tying run at second base with no outs. A night where the Yankees score ample runs would be what the doctor ordered for a struggling offense.