Bronx Bombers Blast Twins, 12-4

The Yankees are on a roll, winning their fourth straight game, and eight win in their last eleven games, as they pounded out 16 hits last night, at the Stadium, that powered the Bronx Bombers to a 12-4 victory against the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins entered this three game series with a "red-hot" 23-8 record since June13th, and in a virtual tie with the Chicago White Sox for first place in the AL Central. But, the Twins trip to New York came in the middle of some of the hottest days of the year; and, also, in the middle of a Yankees hot streak. The four-day All-Star break clearly has energized the Yankees, and Yankee bats.

Alex Rodriguez gave the Yankees an early 2-0 lead, by belting a long two-run homer in the bottom of the first. The homerun was A-Rod's 21st of the season.

Yankees starting pitcher, Sidney Ponson, allowed the Twins to tie it up in the top of the second; but, one of the runs did score on a close play at the plate that catcher, Jose Molina, argued was "out", with home plate umpire, Mike Everitt. The normally calm Molina was adamant that the runner, Brendan Harris, was out; and, was almost thrown out of the game by the ump. But, Joe Girardi arrived on the scene in time to prevent Molina from taking his obviously valid argument too far, and maybe being kicked out of the game.

It was especially important that Jose Molina remain in the game since Jorge Posada was put on the disabled list before this game. And, Molina's role in the Yankees lineup as starting catcher will increase, as it looks like Posada will need surgery on his injured right-shoulder, which will basically end Jorge's season.

The Yankees regained the lead off Twins starter, Nick Blackburn, (7-6), in the bottom of the second by scoring four runs. The Bombers loaded the bases with three straight singles, then Johnny Damon hit a ground ball to second base that scored Melky Cabrera on a bad throw to the plate by Twins second baseman, Alexi Casilla.

Derek Jeter then singled, and Bobby Abreu hit into a fielder's choice to complete the scoring in the inning, and move the Yankees lead to 6-2.

In the bottom of the third, the Yanks scored two more runs, including a long leadoff homerun by Robinson Cano, that landed half way up in the upper deck rightfield seats. For Cano, who was (2-for-5), this was his fourth straight multi-hit game, which raised his season average to .260. Also, Robinson Cano is now (10-for-19), .526, in his last four games. As the weather is heating up, so is Cano. The Yankees can expect much of the same from Cano in the final 63 games of this season.

In the meantime, Sidney Ponson was pitching okay, getting in and out of a few jams, but certaintly pitching well enough to win. He ended up throwing 100 pitches, over 5 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs, on 9 hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. Ramirez replaced Ponson, and recorded the final out of the 6th inning with a strikeout.

The Yankees added three more runs in the bottom of the 6th, highlighted by Derek Jeter's leadoff homer. Bobby Abreu then scored the second run on a wild pitch; and, a RBI single by Cano, plated A-Rod, giving the Yankees an 11-3 lead.

The Yankees finished their scoring with a run in the bottom of the 8th; and, the Twins scored one more run, off LaTroy Hawkins, in the top of the 9th, before Hawkins closed out the Yankees 12-4 win.

Overall, the Yankees bullpen once again pitched great, especially, David Robertson's scoreless 7th inning of relief, which included a strikeout. Robertson now has an ERA of 1.64; and, little by little is making his presence felt as a very effective and dependable reliever who [in my view] will become the Yankees 8th inning set-up man before the end of this season.

David Robertson is becoming the new Joba in the Yankees bullpen, as the "Bridge To Mariano". It's only a matter of time before Robertson is officially given this very important role. 

Sidney Ponson, is now 2-0 as a Yankee; and, has a 6-1 overall record this season [including his four wins with the Texas Rangers]. Also, the Yankees are 4-0 in all four games that Ponson has started so far for the Yanks.

The Yankees continue to stay right in the mix in the AL EAST, with a 54-45 record, 4.5 games behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays (58-40); and, two games behind the second place Boston Red Sox (58-43), in the loss column.