Matsui con Leche = Wins

The difference between splitting a 4-game series and winning one is only one game in the standings, but psychologically, it can't be measured. The Yankees needed this win today, and it didn't look like it was going to happen after the Twins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

Kei Igawa is a disgrace. I'm going to leave it at that. What started out as so many of the 42 Yankee losses have, turned into a game in the bottom of the second inning. Robinson Cano got the ball rolling with home run deep to right field. Miguel Cairo tied the game up with a double deep to left, Johnny Damon walked and then Melky stepped to the plate and put the Yanks in the lead with a three-run bomb.

The score stayed tied until the bottom of the eighth, when Hideki Matsui stepped to the plate against the Twins’ exceptional set-up man, Pat Neshek. Matsui deposited a Neshek offering in the seats to give the Yanks a 7–5 advantage. Mo came in and closed out the victory in atypical Mo style (He gave up a run on a couple of hits, but did strike out 2).

Joe Cobra of Cobra Brigade asked earlier today, “What’s Wrong With the Yankees?” His conclusion: They need a glue guy. A guy who refuses to lose, and will do anything to win. I responded that they have that guy in Melky Cabrera. Today is a perfect example of what I was talking about. Melky electrifies this team when he plays well, in the field and at bat. Moving him to the #2 slot will be the turning point of this season, mark my words.

Player of the Game: Melky Cabrera, 3 for 5, 1 HR, 3 RBIs. Matsui’s bomb was huge, but this game slips away from the Yanks if Melky doesn’t hit that early HR. They were back on their heels, and Igawa was not going to keep the Yanks close if they didn’t show some life early.