Yankees Rout Sox in Crucial Game, Alone in First

Tonight was a huge offensive night for the Yankees as they tagged the Red Sox pitching for ten runs, nine of which came in the second inning where they hit four home runs. It was important for the Yankees to set the tone early on a night where they desperately needed a victory. As it so happens, the Orioles lost their game to Tampa Bay to give the Yankees a one game edge in the division with two games left in the season. This victory speaks volumes as to how much the Yankees want to win their division. What was once a ten game lead atop the AL East has turned into a dog fight to see which north-eastern team will come out on top. Many other good things happened for the Yankees tonight in their biggest win of the season.

Mark Teixeira came back from his calf injury and did not miss a beat when he blasted a two-run home run in the Yankees nine run second inning. Teixeira in the lineup does so much for the Yankees as he fills it out to its completion. It gives the Yankees so much depth that they have Eric Chavez batting ninth in games against righty starters. Also, Brett Gardner received his first at-bat since his elbow injury nine games into the season in April. He grounded out but him stepping up to swing a bat in a game says a lot to the Yankees as to his perseverence after essentially being told that this would be a lost season for him. If Gardner can get a start under his belt, it would not be unfathomable for him to be included on the postseason roster. Lastly, Melky Mesa was given his first career big league at-bat and singled up the middle for his first Major League hit and collected his first career RBI as Nunez scored the Yankees tenth and final run of the game.

CC Sabathia gave the Yankees eight solid innings of two run ball and gave the Yankees pen a rest after finding out David Phelps would be getting the start over Ivan Nova tomorrow night. If Phelps can give the Yankees three or four shutout innings tomorrow, the bullpen can come into the game to record double digit outs. He will be facing a weak AAA Boston lineup and Jon Lester will be on the mound for the Red Sox so the Yankees will not have an easy time getting runs if Lester pitches to his potential.

The Yankees clinched a playoff berth last night after the Rangers beat the Angels

The Yankees magic number for the division: 2