Pettitte Pitches Yanks To 4-2 Victory, Winning Streak Is Now 7

Talk about a quick game. Finally! For once I'm going to get to bed by 11pm. I don't remember the last time I got close to having 8 hours of sleep. Assuming I can fall asleep by 11:30, I may get to squeeze in close to 7.5 hours. It's tough when you've got two kids under two and have work (and the Yankees!) on top of it. Tonight's W made it 7 straight for the Bombers and they kept pace with the Red Sox. If only those silly Orioles could hold onto a lead. The Sox have a much easier schedule heading into the ASB and I said I'd be happy if the Yanks were within 5 games come the break. If they keep playing like they are, they should come in under the 5. Knock on wood.

Andy pitched a beauty today, making only one real mistake, which was Griffey's HR. He definitely deserves the game ball and WWE championship belt. A very solid outing indeed. It's hard to believe that Andy has a record of 8-3 and leads the staff in wins. He's kind of like Jekyll & Hide. He wins (5/29). He loses (6/3). He wins (6/8). He loses (6/13). He wins (6/19). He doesn't lose but isn't good (6/25). He wins (7/1). See a pattern? His ERA has climbed each month. It was 2.96 in April (4 starts), 4.95 in May (6 starts), and 5.06 in June (5 starts). Outside of last season, Andy has typically had better numbers in the latter half of the season. July is off to a great start. Andy has 2 more starts to make before the all-star break. Let's hope the above pattern doesn't continue.

Michael Kay mentioned at the conclusion of the game that the Yankees offense was "clicking." Sure, they're winning games, but I wouldn't say they're clicking. They never really got much going tonight. Sure they hit 3 HRs (thank you Yankee Stadium), but they grounded into 3 DPs and went 0-2 with RISP. They're doing enough to win, but I wouldn't call it "clicking." Maybe a shade below clicking. There's a little room for improvement.

I really want to say that A-Rod is back but I'll hold off on saying that for a few more games. He's been on a tear over the last 7 games. His homer tonight was his 4th in the last 6 games. He's now driven in 13 runs in the last 7 games, and 15 in his last 9 games. I'd like to see a few more multu-hit games. He's only had 1 multi-hit game in the last 7. But he's hitting the ball very well. The extra rest seems to have done him some good. I hope Alex is back because it will only mean good things for Mark Teixeira. Tex has really cooled down since he went 4-for-5 back on June 10th. Over his last 18 games, Teixeira is hitting 16-for-71 (.225). He hasn't gone deep in 16 games. I don't think it's a coincidence that he cooled off once Alex started slumping. Now that Alex is hitting, Mark needs to follow suit.

I can't think of a better way to "mariano" this post than to talk about the G.O.A.T., Mariano Rivera. Mo picked up his 20th save on the season with another 1-2-3 9th inning. It was his 16th straight converted save opportunity and 6th straight game without allowing a run. In those 6 games Mo has allowed only 1 hit over 5 innings. He's the G.O.A.T. and I'm glad he's closing out games for my team. God bless ya Mo.

CC goes tomorrow. He's bee pretty damn good lately. A series sweep and the team's 8th straight win isn't out of the question. Take it to 'em CC.

Peace, love and Pinstripes,

J-Boogie