Nine-run sixth sparks Yanks’ third straight win

Following an 11-5 drubbing of the Tigers, the Yankees won their third game in a row and in the process took 3-out-of-4 from Detroit. They currently own the division lead by 1/2 game, though the Rays are in action late tonight in Oakland so it could be tied when all is said and done. Or the Yanks could be sitting on a game lead. We’ll have to wait and see.

After getting no-hit for the first three innings, the Yanks sent seven men to the plate in the fourth and put up a pair of runs to tie it up. However, the big story of the game was the nine-run sixth inning where they broke the game wide open. The Yanks batted around and also hit for the cycle in the fateful sixth.

Lost in the offensive onslaught was Phil Hughes’ great game. Philthy went six innings and gave up two runs on four hits while fanning six batters and not issuing a walk to move to 15-5. He probably could have went longer if not for the 40-minute sixth, but it’s a moot point because they didn’t need him to and it saved him some innings on his season limit. He earned his first back-to-back wins since June 13 and 19 against the Astros and Mets, respectively. He’s pitched into the sixth inning in each of last five starts (six straight after today) and put up solid numbers in the process.

Proving once again that saves are a stupid stat, Sergio Mitre threw three innings of relief while giving up three runs on six hits with three punch outs to one walk to earn his first save of the season. Let that soak in for a while.

Every starter, sans Gardy and Pena, had at least one hit. Cano, though, showed them all up with a 3-for-5 day to go along with a homer, a double, three RBI and three runs scored…don’t ya know.

Girardi on Cano:

"He’s a dangerous hitter and he had a tremendous day today. He stepped up today and he stepped up all year for us."

Austin Kearns had a great day as well, going 2-for-4 with a two-run double. I think Yankee fans have started to come around on this guy.

Fun facts:

• The Yanks’ season average with the bases loaded is .423.
• Posada recorded his 1,559th hit to move past Thurman Munson and into 17th place on the franchise’s all-time list.

The Yanks will now host the Mariners for three game starting Friday. The pitching match ups are as follows for the weekend set:

Friday: AJ vs. King Felix

Saturday: Javy vs. Jason Vargas

Sunday: CC vs. Luke French

GO YANKS!!!!!