Vazquez Gets West Coast Trip Off On Right Foot

Javier Vazquez remembers back in April when the boos outweighed his fastball. But since then Vazquez has pitched at an All-Star level. The new and improved Vazquez continued last night when he pitching seven strong innings to earn his 7th win in the Yankees 3-1 victory over the Oakland A's.

Vazquez pitched to a 9.00 ERA in the first month of the season and was booed lustily by Yankees fans who still erroneously blamed him for the game 7 loss in the 2004 ALCS. But despite being skipped over in the rotation once, Vazquez hung tough and has recorded a 6-4, 3.57 mark since May 1. He's been even better since June 1, putting up a 2.93 ERA and has held opponents to under a .200 average.

The Yankees needed a good start from Vazquez since the team's offense couldn't muster much against A's starter Ben Sheets. The Yankees got on the board in the 2nd inning with a trio of clutch two out base hits.

Nick Swisher doubled into the right field corner and came around to score on Curtis Granderson's triple. Francisco Cervelli then served one back up the middle for an RBI single and a 2-0 Yankees lead.

Oakland got a run back in the 4th on a one out triple by Cliff Pennington and a sacrifice fly by Coco Crisp. But Mark Teixeira smacked his 14th home run of the season in the 6th to re-establish the two run lead.

That's all Vazquez, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera, who earned his 19th save, would need to take the first game of the three game set.

Notes

With Brett Gardner red hot at the bottom of the lineup, Joe Girardi decided to shake things up a bit and put him in the lead off spot. Derek Jeter moved back to his old number two spot in the order. Gardner was 0-4, but is expected to get a shot at using his speed at the top of the lineup.

Curtis Granderson and Colin Curtis made back to back diving catches in the 7th inning to take away a pair of Oakland hits.

Jorge Posada will still need another day or two, according to Girardi, before being able to return to the lineup after a foul tip left him a sprained left ring finger on Sunday.