Alfonso Soriano!

You thought that Soriano couldn't top what he did in last night's game against the Angels? Let's recap: last night he drove in six which was a career high at the time while hitting two home runs and an RBI single. Tonight he topped even his own records by driving in SEVEN runs by hitting a grand slam, a two run double and a solo home run for giggles. He has raised his average back up to .255 after two incredible nights. Tonight, Soriano did not make an out as he went 3-3 with three runs scored, seven runs batted in and even managed to get walked through all of the craziness. The Yankees wouldn't have been on the run they are on right now if it was not for Alfonso Soriano's heroics. After remaining cool for the majority of his early games back with the Yankees, Soriano's bat has heated up as he has gone on the biggest two game tear of his long career. Soriano wasn't the only offensive force in the lineup, as Robinson Cano too had a night he will remember. Cano went 4-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk. The Yankees 3-6 hitters reached base in thirteen of eighteen plate appearances, going 10-15 with nine runs, three doubles, two home runs, nine RBI and three walks. The man in the center of it all though, was the one and only Alfonso Soriano who at age 37 has found the fountain of youth with the Yankees in a time they need it most from him. The Yankees have not lost a season series to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim since 2008 and with tonight's win they guarantee themselves at least a series win in the four game series versus the Halos.

Let's not forget about Ivan Nova, who tossed 7.1 innings, allowing only three runs. He gave up ten hits but struck out seven batters and didn't walk anyone. This game was a laugher early, so Nova could easily have started to implode himself, but he didn't. Nova pitched well and gave the Yankees their fourth straight win. The Yankees have not had a four game winning streak in months so it's nice to see them winning consistently. Nova is the first Yankee right-handed pitcher with seven straight starts of seven innings and three or less runs. The last time this was accomplished by a Yankee RHP was in 1998 when David Cone did it. Nova has gone 5-3 with a 2.17 ERA and 69 strikeouts in eleven appearances since coming off the disabled list.

The Yankees have a chance to sweep this four game series at home against the Angels tomorrow afternoon with Hughes on the mound. Phil Hughes has been awful for the Yankees this year in most starts and his 4-11 record shows it. It will be an afternoon game when the balls carry further so Hughes may have another rough outing tomorrow. If Alfonso Soriano and the Yankees keep scoring runs at this pace, there may be a chance that they can bail Hughes out. With the Rays winning tonight, the Yankees remain 5.5 games back in the wildcard race and with the Red Sox losing, the Yankees gain one game on Boston and are 8.5 games behind the dominant Sox.