Statement game for the Yanks

After a 5-4 heartbreaker Tuesday, the Yanks came out Wednesday and made a statement via an 8-3 shellacking of the O’s to improve to 13-7.

CC didn’t have his best stuff, but he still owned the Birds for the most part. He went 7 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on 11 hits while fanning five and walking two. With the win the hefty lefty moved to 10-1 all-time against Baltimore.

"I had no idea the numbers (10-1) was like that, but it is what it is. I got a lot more starts against them.I just would’ve felt a little better (staying in the game longer) but a win is a win. These guys swung the bats well and scored a lot of runs, I was very appreciative of that."

The offense woke up and pounded out 15 hits, while every starter except A-Rod (and Posada who got beaned* in the second inning and left the game; diagnosis was a right-knee contusion) recorded a hit. A-Rod is now 1-for-his-last-17. Cervelli stepped up in Georgie’s absence and went 2-for-4 with an RBI, he’s hitting 8-for-19 (.444) in seven games this year.

*Posada was hit by Jeremy Guthrie, the same clown who beaned Tex and Cervelli in a Spring Training game. We’ll see if AJ gets any revenge Thursday night…I’m hoping for a fastball at Matt Wieters’ head.

Girardi:

"I really don’t think he’s doing it on purpose, but he hits a lot of people and it’s frustrating us. What do you expect me to be happy our guys are getting plunked? I’m frustrated by it, I wish he had better command tonight.He’s (Posada) probably not a player for us tomorrow."

Posada:

"The knee is fine. Just need the swelling to go down."

Nick The Stick and Tex were the only two to get “just” one hit. Granderson busted out of his 0-for-17 slump with a 2-for-5 performance, and Jeet (2-for-4, 2 RBI, R) tied The Hitman for third on the Yanks’ all-time doubles list with his 442nd two-bagger. Swish Dog tied a career-high (set in 2006) with his second triple of the season and went 3-for-5 (his second straight three-hit game) with two runs scored and as many RBI. Robbie Cano continued his torrid April and went 2-for-5 with a solo jack — his sixth of the campaign and 15th career against the O’s (tied for most against any team — BOS).

The offense as a whole was better Wednesday, they went 4-for-11 with RISP as opposed to yesterday when they were 1-for-8 in that situation. However, they left nine men on base both days.

Jeter:

"You can’t let up, you have to continue to try to score some runs. I thought we came out with a lot of energy today and swung the bats well. But anytime you have big lead with CC pitching you feel pretty comfortable."

Perhaps most importantly the bullpen was on point, as Joba and Mitre combined to throw 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief. Granted they had a five-run lead to work with, but it was refreshing to see them shut ’em down and close it out.

Overall it was a good win, but it might have gone a little different if it was a team besides the O’s. Though, as CC said, a win is a win. I’ll take it.

AJ will take the hill (and hopefully crack some skulls, Richard Vernon style) on Thursday night against young lefty Bruan Matusz in the rubber match of this series in a game featured as MLB Network’s Game of the Week.

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