Slam, Bam, Thank You Ma'am

Raul, you're so cool. - photo courtesy of northjersey.com

When it comes to hitting home runs, you won't find two more prodigious teams this season than the Yankees (144) and the Toronto Blue Jays (131). So it came as no surprise that a home run decided Monday night's series opener between the two AL East teams.

With the game tied 2-2 in the 8th, the Yankees loaded the bases with one out with a pair of singles off of Jays' reliever Aaron Loup and a hit batsmen when Jason Frasor plunked Mark Teixeira on the toe.

It's been difficult not to cringe when the Yankees have loaded the bases this season. Though they have had more than their share of grand slams, they've failed to get a big hit more times than not.

When Frasor froze Nick Swisher with a 3-2 breaking pitch for the second out of the inning, it was difficult not to think 'here we go again'. But after falling behind in the count (3-1) to Raul Ibanez, Frasor threw one right in the outfielder's wheelhouse and the 40-yr old deposited it in the right field seats for a 6-2 lead.

The Blue Jays scored a run off of Cody Eppley and Rafael Soriano, but Soriano had his shirt untucked after catching Colby Rasmus looking at a called third strike to end the game. The Yankees have won three of four since the All-Star break.

Russell Martin homered for the first time since he hit a pair of shots against the Mets back on June 10.

Robinson Cano had a pair of hits and an RBI and extended his hitting streak to a career high 19 games.

Phil Hughes threw another stellar start- 7 IP 4 H 2 ER 3 BB 4 K and allowed a solo home run to Adam Lind.

Alex Rodriguez was forced to DH after coming up with a stiff neck. It didn't bother him when he swung the bat, but he was in pain when making throws to 1st base.