Mostly All Good

The Yankees romped over the University of South Florida, 11-4, after their starting lineup produced 9 runs in 4 innings. The pitching was outstanding, with the exception of Kei Igawa, who as usual was the Japanese beetle in the ointment. But lets look at the positives first.

Joba Chamberlain (2 IP), Ian Kennedy (2 IP), Phil Hughes (1 IP), Jeffrey Martuez (1 IP), Alan Horne (1 IP), and Chase Wright (1 IP) retired 23 of the 24 batters they faced, with Kennedy allowing the only hit (a single).

Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada looked like they were in mid-August form, combining for 5 RBI. Posada with a double, and incredibly, a stand up triple in the mix.

And now for the downside.

Igawa was awful. If this were any other pitcher, you could chalk it up to spring training, February, 1st outing, etc.. But Igawa looked no different than he did last July. He walked 2 batters, including the #9 hitter and hit another. Then he made Eric Baumann's day. The 5'11" senior crushed an Igawa pitch for a grand slam. That was the only other hit of the day for the USF and provided all of their runs.

Jason Giambi went for the collar in 3 at-bats.