Happy Happy Joy Joy

Yankees pound Twins 8-0

It was a rare fun night at the ball park in the Bronx last night, as the Yankees rolled over the Twins 8-0. Chien-Ming Wang was far from his best, but still blanked the Twins for 7 innings. Bobby Abreu had 3 hits for the 2nd straight night and Robinson Cano hit his 1st home run since June 1st.

Wang struggled with his control, remarkably walking 3 straight hitters as the Twins mounted a threat in the 4th. But Jorge Posada erased the first walk, throwing out Jason Bartlett attempting to steal 2nd. Justin Morneau's one-out single loaded the bases for Torii Hunter. But Wang induced Hunter into hitting into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. Twins' first base coach Jerry White argued that Andy Phillips was pulled off the bag and it was indeed questionable.

The Yankees jumped on the board in the first when Derek Jeter followed singles by Johnny Damon and Melky Cabrera with an RBI ground out. In the 4th, Abreu reached on an infield single and Cano ended his HR drought with his 4th of the season off of starter and loser Carlos Silva.

A 5-run 6th busted the game wide open. Jorge Posada's line drive to center eluded Hunter for a lead off triple, and Silva's wild pitch brought Posada home with the 4th run. Hideki Matsui doubled to right and came home on Abreu's single. After Andy Phillips nearly hit one out of the park, Ron Gardenhire sent for Juan Rincon from the pen. Rincon would fare no better. After Abreu stole 2nd, Rincon hit Cano on the foot on a 3-2 pitch. Damon's ground out moved the runners up and Cabrera brought them home with a single to right. Jeter's single brought home the night's final run.

Then it was fun time- but first Joe Torre couldn't let Scott Proctor go 2 days without pitching- Edwar Ramirez made his MLB debut and lived up to his new nickname, K-Ram- striking out Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau, and Lew Ford with a lively fastball and wicked changeup.

K-Ram's post-game interview.