Shut 'Em Down

Randy Johnson gave the Yankees what they needed today:  a shutdown performance.  8 innings, 3 hits, 1 ER, 5 K.  94 pitches, 63 for strikes!  If not for Miguel Tejada, we might have seen a no-hitter.  Tejada had all of the Orioles 4 hits, and took the Unit deep in the 2nd.  But The Unit settled down and only made that 1 mistake.  He looked nothing like he did in Toronto.  This is what I've come to expect from Randy.  He gives up the occasional longball but has good enough stuff to keep the opposing bats at bay.  With a potent offense behind him, he could easily win 20+. 

The hits seemed to come easy for the Yanks against Bruce Chen.  I'm still not sure why they were trying to steal bases when they were hitting him so well.  The team was having success against Chen, the middle of the order was up, why try to move up a base?  Let the bats move the runners around.  I like to see an aggressive approach on the basepaths, but it didn't seem necessary or even like a good idea, all things considered.  Flashback a few days ago to Toronto.  2 outs, Jeter was on 2nd, Sheffield on 1st, A-Rod was up.  The Yankees pull of a successful double steal.  A-Rod then gets intentionally walked.  Giambi comes up against the lefty and pops out (I think) to end the inning.  The double steal took the bat out of the reigning MVP's hands.  With 1 out, I like the double steal.  With 2 outs and A-Rod at the plate, bad move.  Each attempt, today and in Toronto, backfired on the Yanks.  Let's learn from this.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.

Giambi was the man today.  3-4, 2 HRs, 5 RBI.  He came so close to HR #3.  It was good to see him flash some opposite field power.  I know there's "chatter" of Giambi possibly being on the "juice" over at Bleeding Pinstripes, but I just don't see it.  The risk definitely doesn't outweigh the reward.  That goes for everyone, not just Giambi.  If on the off chance he is juicing, he has to be doing it on the down low.  I can't see Jeter or any of the Yankee brass allowing anyone to tarnish the Yankee image of "Pride, Power, Pinstripes."  A positive test to any Yankee would tarnish that image.  I'd like to think Donnie Baseball has a big hand in Giambi's success and comeback. 

Robinson Cano is doing an exceptional job batting in the bottom of the order.  He's hitting over .400 on his recent 12 game hitting street.  Cano getting on base is a great way to turn the lineup over to Damon and Jeter.  All Cano needs to work on is drawing a walk every now-and-then.  But if he keeps hitting the ball, I won't fault him for that.

The Captain continues to hit the ball well, another multi-hit day.  I voted "no" in the Mad Dog's poll on whether or not Jeter would win the MVP.  I may have to reconsider my vote if Jeter continues to swing the hot bat.  He's certainly playing well enough to get some MVP consideration.

The Yanks will enjoy an off-day tomorrow and then continue the homestand when the Devil Rays come to town for a 3-game set.  Let's hope we don't have a repeat of last year where the Rays take 11 of 19 from us.  That should never happen.  The Moose gets the ball for the series opener.  I feel pretty confident the Yanks will roll and win their 3rd straight.  Let's hope MC Hammer is right and the Yanks catch fire.  I asked my Yankees Magic 8-Ball if they will and "all signs point to yes!"  Have you ever known a Magic 8-ball to be wrong?

Let's Go Yankees!!

J