The Bat is Mightier than the Sword

Tyler Clippard only worked 5 innings apiece in his last 2 starts, but came away with victories both times. This time he didn't make it out of the 4th, but the Yankee's offense bailed him out as they romped 13-6, sweeping the 3 game series. The victory was their 6th straight and 9th in the last 11 games.

The Yankees had given Clippard a 3-0 and 5-2 leads against former Yankee Shawn Chacon (2-1), but the rookie got hammered in the 4th, allowing a 2-run double to Chris Duffy and a 2-run single to Jose Bautista. The Pirates lead was short lived though.

With 2 aboard in the bottom of the 4th, Alex Rodriguez blasted his 23rd HR of the season off of , putting the Yankees back on top for good. The Pirates offense was done, but A-Rod wasn't. Two innings later and with a man on, he went the opposite way against Japanese rookie Masumi Kuwata for his 24th HR of the year. The 5 RBI gave up him 61 on the season.

A-Rod wasn't alone though. Bobby Abreu continued his hitting resurgence, going 4-4 with 3 RBI and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Over the 10 game span, Abreu is 19-48, raising his average from .228 to .272.

Sean Henn (2-0) picked up the win with 2 innings of work, with Luis Vizcaino, Scott Proctor, and Mike Myers combining to throw 5 1-3 innings of scoreless relief.

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The kids in today's crowd got Jason Giambi replica bats. Very appropriate since Giambi is a replica of his former self.