Yankees Get Away With One

Chien-Ming Wang was effective enough and the offense came back to life, as the Yankees salvaged the final game of the 3 games series with the Orioles, 10-6. After failing to solve Jeremy Guthrie or Brian Burres, the Yankees took advantage of early wildness by Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera to jump out to a 4-0 lead after 2 innings.

But Wang (12-5) struggled with his command and exited after 6 with a 4-3 lead. Leading 5-4 in the 8th, the Yankees finally broke the game open. Melky Cabrera started things with a 1-out single against Paul Shuey. Jorge Posada, pinch-hitting for Jose Molina, drew a walk and the Yankees were in business. Johnny Damon, whose 9th inning double play grounder killed a potential big rally on Saturday, delivered his 3rd hit of the day, an RBI double to give the Yankees a 6-4 lead. Derek Jeter walked, which sent Shuey to the showers in favor of Danys Baez. Bobby Abreu, who K'ed for the final out on Saturday, singled to right to plate both runners for a 8-4 lead. Hideki Matsui drove in the 9th run with a ground out and Robinson Cano brought home the final tally with an RBI double.

The Yankees would need all of those runs, because once again Kyle Farnsworth spit the bit, allowing a 2-run home run to Brian Roberts. After the game, Farnsworth had the balls to blame inactivity for his lack of command. Granted it was only the 2nd time he had pitched in 11 days, but that's because he STINKS.

Cabrera's (7-11) control issues have plagued his career and they did to start the game. Cabrera issued walks to Damon and Abreu sandwiched around a Jeter single. He managed to escape with the Yankees scoring just 1 run on Matsui's sac fly.

Cabrera wouldn't be so lucky in the 2nd. Andy Phillips and Melky Cabrera stroked back to back doubles for a 2-0 lead. After a sac bunt by Molina, Damon singled through the right side for a 3-0 lead. Back to back walks to Jeter and Abreu brought Alex Rodriguez up for the 2nd time with the bases loaded. A-Rod, who has not had a hit since his 499th home run, bounced into an odd double play that both scored a run and ended the inning. Abreu, smartly stopped between 1st and 2nd as Orioles' 2nd sacker Roberts threw to 1st. With the force off, Damon crossed the plate with the 3rd run of the inning. With Abreu in a run down, Jeter raced for home. He appeared to elude the tag of catcher Paul Bako, but home plate umpire Sam Holbrook called him out. The play would have a far greater impact as Jeter jammed his shoulder and would leave the game in the 8th inning. Of course he said he will play on Tuesday.

Wang uncharacteristically walked 4 hitters, including the light hitting Bako 3 times. It got him into trouble in the 4th when Luis Rodriguez single in a pair of runs, and again in the 5th, when a Roberts single cut the lead to 4-3.

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Hideki Matsui drove in 3 runs in the game without a hit. He had 2 sacrifice flies plus an RBI ground out.

Melky Cabrera's 3 hits raised his average to a season high .291.

Andy Phillips' 2nd inning double extended his hitting streak to a career high 11 games.

The start of the game was delayed about 40 minutes by the threat of rain. It never did actually rain. The fans didn't mind though as the Orioles played part of the hall of fame ceremonies on their big video screen. Orioles great Cal Ripken was among those honored.