Yankees Slug Their Way Past Tribe

John Sterling must have had a blast tonight *no pun intended* after introducing a couple of new home runs calls. The Yankees slugged five home runs, with long balls by Robinson Cano, Ichiro Suzuki, Kevin Youkilis, Lyle Overbay and Brennan Boesch. This game was a laugher just about from the beginning, and the Yankees keep their hitting shoes on fire for a third straight game. The offense has scored seven runs or more in three consecutive games, something they did not do all of last year. After only two games in Cleveland the Yankees have scored 25 runs, which is amazing when you think about it. This offense has a perfect balance of power and speed, which provides for a lethal combination in games like tonight. Robinson Cano has just been on fire in these two games, raising his average to .303 and collecting  two more extra base hits, one of which was another home run to the opposite field. Cano drove in five runs tonight and deserves player of the game honors without a doubt. Another pleasing sight is watching Gardner and Ichiro come out of their slumps. Gardner collected four hits (two doubles) and Ichiro hit a line drive home run to right field. Travis Hafner was the only Yankees starter to not record a hit after collecting 4 RBI in yesterday's game.

Let's not forget about the performance of Andy Pettitte tonight. The 40 year old southpaw tossed seven innings of one run baseball. He did not have his best stuff with him tonight, but he is a horse and works hard to give the Yankees a chance to win. The young home plate umpire was not generous tonight, making Pettitte throw more pitches than he should have thrown after some questionable non-calls for strike three. Andy Pettitte is showing that age is only a number after throwing two consecutive gems to begin the regular season. If he performs this way for the entire season it could be something special for Pettitte, as well as for the Yankees.

The Yankees have won three straight games to put them at the .500 mark for the first time in this young season. They will try to extend their streak to four straight tomorrow night as Ivan Nova looks for a bounce-back start after not pitching well in Detroit. Brett Myers pitched in relief of Carlos Carrasco after Carrasco was tossed from the game after plunking Youkilis, so tomorrow's starter for the Indians is currently unknown.