Wang Just What the Manager Ordered (5/17)

Posada sparks offense again in 4-3 win

After Tuesday night's wild 14-13 victory, the Yankees were looking to Wednesday's starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to be a little more successful than his predecessor, Shawn Chacon. Wang (4-1) gave the Yankees exactly what they needed, going 8 innings for the second consecutive start and picking up the win in a 4-3 victory. Mariano Rivera, one night after giving up the go ahead run in the ninth, was back on the hill tonight in the ninth to pick up his 8th save. Rivera threw 14 pitches to retire the dangerous trio of Phil Nevin, Hank Blalock, and Kevin Mench in order.

Jorge Posada received a huge ovation his first time up after being the hero of Tuesday's scorefest. Posada continued his hot hitting by stroking a two-out single to left to score Derek Jeter from second. With the score tied 1-1 in the fifth Posada was the center piece of another rally. Rangers starter Kameron Loe (2-4) quickly retired Johnny Damon and Jeter to start the inning, but Jason Giambi doubled in the gap in left-center and Alex Rodriguez followed with an infield single to put runners on the corners. Posada rip a line drive up the middle to score Giambi and put the Yankees up for good 2-1. Robinson Cano committed two errors on the night and had left two men in scoring position, but came through in his third at-bat with a line drive single to center for a 3-1 lead. Bernie Williams finished off the Yankees scoring with an RBI single through the right side.

Wang has had trouble this season putting together solid back-to-back start, but after going 8 innings in a victory over Oakland five days earlier, he was on his game again. He got 18 outs via ground outs and allowed only 3 fly ball outs. Gary Matthews Jr. slugged his 3rd home run with a man aboard in the 8th to cut the lead to 4-3 and ensure that Rivera would be used. After allowing the home run, Wang retired Michael Young and Mark Texeira on ground ball outs to end the inning.

Notes

Wang struck out 3 hitters after only striking out 2 over his last 2 games combined.

One has to wonder if Johnny Damon is just in a slump or if his sore shoulder is hampering him. Damon went 0-5 Wednesday night lowering his season average to .276 and making him just 14-63 (.222) in May.

Derek Jeter went 2-4 to raise his average to .353. Jeter is 6-9 over the last 2 games and has had multiple hit performances in 15 of 38 games played.

Jason Giambi returned to the lineup after missing 1 game due to a strained neck.

Carl Pavano lasted just 1 innings in his Double-A start at Trenton before having to leave with a sore tricep. He'll be re-evaluated on Thursday.