Wang, Cano Sink Mariners 9-2

5 run outbursts keys victory

The arrival of Chien-Ming Wang and Robinson Cano early last season helped turned the Yankees 2005 campaign around and opened the door for other young players, like Melky Cabrera, to contribute this season as well. Wang and Cano have been even better than last year. Last night, Wang pitched a brilliant 7 innings to earn his 15th win and to give the tired bullpen a much needed rest as the Yankees topped the Seattle Mariners 9-2. Cano was the biggest contributor on offense driving in the first two Yankees runs with a single and knocking in the last one with a double. Cano now has 16 RBI in his last 10 games.

The Yankees knocked around Mariners sensation Felix Hernandez from the beginning, though he did retire the 1st 2 hitters to start the game. It was all downhill after that. A Bobby Abreu single and walks to Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada loaded the bases. Cano delivered a pair with a single up the middle.

Hernandez worked out of a jam in the 2nd and retired the side in order in the 3rd, but the Yankees knocked him out of the game in the 4th. The Yankees loaded the bases on a walk to Cano and singles by Melky Cabrera and Nick Green. Green was starting at 3rd base in place of Alex Rodriguez who sat out with a throat infection. Johnny Damon singled to drive to drive in 2 and both Damon and Green advanced an extra base when the rightfielder Chris Snelling misplayed the ball. A two-out walk to Abreu loaded the bases again and Giambi made the Mariners pay with a 2-run ground rule double that just stayed fair. Jorge Posada's RBI single increased the lead to 7-0 and finally sent Hernandez (10-12) to the showers.

Posada's sacrifice fly and Cano's RBI double in the 8th off of Joel Pineiro accounted for the final scoring. Mike Myers and Octavio Dotel worked an inning each to close out the win.

Wang (15-5) dominated from the outset, something he has struggled to do on the road this year. He allowed just 3 hits over the 1st 6 innings before a controversial umpire's call cost him a possible shutout. With 2 out and the Mariner's Richie Sexson on 3rd, Jose Lopez hit a ball back up the middle. Cano ranged far to his right, backhanded, and apparently threw into time to first to get Lopez. But 1st base ump Jeff Nelson ruled Lopez safe and the M's were on the board. The Mariners added another run on a bloop single by Yuniesky Betancourt.

Notes

With 2 hits last night, Bobby Abreu is now hitting .393 in 23 games with the Yankees. He also has 12 RBI, 18 runs scored, a .505 on-base percentage and is slugging at a 1.066 clip.

With the victory last night Chien-Ming Wang has won 23 games in his 46 major league appearances.