Got Melky?

I'll tell you right off the bat that I watched the 2 hour season finale of Lost last night and went back and forth to the Yankees-Red Sox on commercials. I did see the game leading up until 9:00. Do to the horrendous pitching of Randy Johnson and even more horrendous pitching of Matt Clement, I didn't see many innings in 2 hours.

To say this was a huge victory would be an understatement. After losing 2 of 3 to the Mets and having no Jorge Posada or Johnny Damon in the starting lineup last night, the odds of winning were not great. Clement throwing for the Sox was of course a bit of an equalizer. You need someone to step up in these games and last night that guy was Melky Cabrera. The Yankees rushed this kids to the majors last season and he was totally overmatched at the plate and in the field. His return this season looked like it was a 2005 redux as he dropped a wind blown pop up against the Sox at The Stadium. A lot has changed since then, however, as Melky has not only played better in the field, but has shown he's got a major league stick. He's also had some huge at-bats such as the 11 pitch walk against Billy Wagner that help rally the Yankees to victory against the Mets last Saturday.

Last night Cabrera came through twice in spots where veterans have failed this season. The Yankees were trailing 2-1 with 2 outs in the 2nd inning when Cabrera came up with the bases loaded. He pulled one past a diving Kevin Youkilis for a 2-run single to right to give the Yankees the lead. Moments later Derek Jeter doubled in Kelly Stinnett to put the Bombers on top 4-2.

Randy Johnson gave that lead right back though. Already having given up a 2-run homer to Manny Ramirez in the first, Johnson served up a fat one to Youkilis with a man aboard to tie the game 4-4. One inning later, Jason Varitek singled in the go-ahead run and the Sox still had two on and none out. Johnson (6-4) then, improbably, struck out Wily Mo Pena, Dustan Mohr, and Alex Gonzalez to end the inning.

The Yankees went after Clement (4-4) again in the fifth as Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Bernie Williams, and Terrence Long stroked consecutive singles to put two on the board and put the Yankees back on top 6-5. With another two-on, two-out situation facing him, Cabrera came through again, delivering another two-run single for an 8-5 lead.

Despite having retired 8 of his last 9, Torre pulled a pleading Randy Johnson to start the 6th. Torre obviously wanted to make sure Johnson finished the game on a high note. Erickson gave Torre just what he needed, a scoreless inning to turn the pen over to the late inning guys. Mike Myers K'ed David Ortiz to start the 7th before giving way to Scott Proctor. For the 2nd straight night Proctor served up a home run ball to Manny Ramirez to cut the lead to 8-6.

Kyle Farnsworth took over in the 7th and immediately got in a jam due to an error by Stinnett. A one-out single and a stolen base by Alex Gonzalez put the tying run in scoring position with the top of the order coming up. Farnsworth blew a 97 mph fastball past Youkilis for the 2nd out of the inning, but then wildly walked Mark Loretta to load the bases. The last pitch was actually a wild pitch, but for some reason Wily Mo Pena didn't break off of third. He would have scored easily. So here was the situation again. David Ortiz in a clutch situation against the Yankees. No one could be blamed for looking away from the screen. Farnsworth came through though, freezing Ortiz with a breaking pitch for a called third strike to end the inning.

Manny Ramirez destroyed the Yankees in the series. Four home runs, 10 RBI, and not one pitch pushing him off the plate in the process. Mariano Rivera finally did that to a degree in the 9th as Ramirez overreacted as if the pitch were closer. Ramirez should just thank his lucky stars the Yankees don't have the balls to throw at anyone. Rivera retired Ramirez, Varitek, and Mike Lowell in order for his 10th save and the Yankees could enjoy their day off on Thursday.

Notes

Johnny Damon sat out the game with a sore back. Jorge Posada is scheduled for an MRI today to take a look at his ailing tendon. Rawlings will also be sending a representative to rework the straps on Posada's shin protector.

The Yankees bolstered their minor league infield with the acquisition of Nick Green from Tampa Bay for cash. Green was hitting just .077 when the Rays opted to dump him.

El Duque is back in New York, but in the wrong uniform. The Mets acquired Orlando Hernandez from Arizona yesterday for disappointing relief pitcher Jorge Julio. There's no question that Duque's stock is not what it used to be, but AZ could do no better than Julio?

Octavio Dotel threw a 30-pitch, 3-inning extended Spring Training outing yesterday. A June activation from the DL is still hopeful.

Before the game, the Yankees demoted Kevin Reese and recalled left-hander Matt Smith.