That's More Like It

It's feast or famine with this team. Let's just hope that tonight's offensive explosion was a sign of things to come, rather than a blip on the radar.

Sidney Ponson reverted back to his usual garbage self, but to be fair, he was facing a monster lineup that had been held in check for two consecutive games. It was bound to happen. The same can be said for every pitcher the Rangers trotted out there.

Two things I want to talk about, then I'm heading to bed. The first is Brett Gardner's first hit. The hit itself was nothing, a broken bat single over the Kinsler's head into shallow right. What he turned the hit into is another thing. He stole second, after almost being picked off. Then he tried to steal third, but Damon fouled the pitch off (breaking his bat in the process!!!!). Damon singled through the left side, and Gardner flew around third, beat the throw to the plate to score what was still a meaningful run at that point. I don't know if the kid is going to hit enough at this level. The early results haven't been heartening, but it's still very early. Either way, he has to be on this roster the rest of the way. Even if he can't hit a lick, they need his speed off the bench. Best-case, he turns out to be a .300 hitter with a .350+ OBP at the bottom of the lineup who drives pitchers crazy every time he gets on base. Worst-case, whenever the Yanks need a run late in the game and Jorge Posada, Jason Giambi or any of the other speed-challenged vets finds himself on base, Girardi has a secret weapon to go to.

The other thing I want to talk about is A-Rod's home run. I'm 100% convinced that he came up to the plate in that situation looking to hit a home run to right field. He was keyed in on the outer half and you could tell by the swing he took earlier in the at bat that he was going that way, and going that way with power. I don't know if he did it for fun, just to see if he could. I don't know if he did it because he had a scouting report showing they were going to work him away with fastballs. I have no idea why, but he did it with premeditation, and he made it happen. Amazing.

Player of The Game: The Giambino, his salami was huge.
Team Record: 45-40
Damon: 1 tonight (42 on the season. The graphic will be back over the weekend).

Tomorrow is the first of 4 against the Sawx. Check out Who Made You Mirabelli for you Bahston fix. I'll be in attendance on the 4th. It'll be my daughter's first regular season game. Looking forward to it. By the way, if the Yanks sweep the series, they're in 2nd place.