For the first time in history Joe Torre’s bullpen management worked in the Yankees’ favor

Sunday’s 8-6 triumph over the Dodgers was hands down the best win of the year. Eight innings of bullshit was erased by two innings of glory.

In case you didn’t see it, the Yanks rallied for four runs in the ninth off Jonathan Broxton — who had allowed four runs all year entering Sunday — to tie it up. Down to their final two outs, A-Rod singled and Cano followed with an RBI double. Georgie kept it going with a 10-pitch single that made it first and third before Grandy drew a walk to load the bases. Chad Huffman came through with the biggest hit of his life, a two-run (his first career RBI) single, and Colin Curtis added an RBI groundout to knot things up at 6. What’s funny is that Huffman wouldn’t have even been in there if not for Gardner getting beaned in the wrist in the third inning. Gardner has a bruised right forearm but x-rays were not necessary.

Girardi:

"Their doctor saw no reason for x-rays, but he’s going to see our doctor tomorrow."

Mo came in for the bottom half and the game went to extras. Cano’s 15th jack of the year in the 10th, which also scored A-Rod, gave Mo — who earned his second WIN in five days — more than enough breathing room and the Yanks ended their road trip at 4-2. Did I mention that Cano homered off George Sherrill, who had held Cano to 0-for-11 with four strikeouts prior to Sunday? Also, Sherrill hadn’t allowed a homer to the last 160 lefties he’d faced in the regular season. Take note Girardi, that’s why you shouldn’t always go by the book with pitcher matchups.

A-Rod, who also had a two-run homer:

"I’m done talking about Mo, he’s the greatest. He never seems to disappoint…I don’t remember last year having a win like this."

I’d be remiss if I don’t give credit where credit is due. So before I go any further, I’d like to thank Joe Torre for not only bringing in Broxton while up four runs in the ninth but leaving him in for a career-high 48 pitches. Somewhere Scott Proctor is laughing his ass off. It’s things like that that make me glad he’s not at the helm of the Yankees anymore. Joe, I’ll always love you for what you did with the club but it was time you started swigging your Bigelow Tea in a different clubhouse.

Check out the WPA graph for this game. Beautiful.

Early miscues from Pettitte on bunts looked like they were going to doom the Yanks, but the team fought back and earned its first win of the year when trailing by four runs. In fact, the victory was the first time the Yanks had come back from down five runs since May 1, 2009 and the first time they had came back from down four runs in the ninth inning since April 19, 2007. Holy shit what a win that was.

Girardi:

"Amazing. It was unbelievable we ended up scoring four runs. It was our night. It seems like it’s our first come from behind win all year. It’s a big win for us to come out West and win two series."

Pettitte didn’t look bad — going five innings and giving up five runs (two earned) on six hits with five Ks to three BBs — but his errors on those bunts killed him. The Dodgers’ three runs in the third tied a season-high for Andrew Euguene (even though only one of them was earned); he’s now given up three runs in one frame thrice this year. It was also the most runs Old Man Pettitte’s given up in a start since May 20 (7 vs. Tampa Bay).

"I felt like I gave the game to them. I gave them three runs in that inning. What can you say, what a great win for us. It was fun and the guys were fired up. It was almost like a playoff atmosphere watching it…it was amazing to watch, guys drew great at-bats."

After taking that win the Yankees still lead the division by two games over the injured Red Cox. The reeling Rays have fallen to three games back.

The Yanks will have an off day Monday before taking on Cliff Lee and the M’s on Tuesday. After having his last start skipped, Phil Hughes will go for the Yanks on Tuesday. LET’S GO YANKS!!!!!!