GAME 98: Yankees vs A's

YANKEES (59-38, First AL East)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Ransom 3B
Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 4.76)

Athletics (41-55, Fourth AL West)
Kennedy 3B
Cabrera SS
Hairston LF
Cust DH
Suzuki C
Sweeney RF
Barton 1B
Ellis 2B
Paterson CF

Starting a New Streak: The Yankees lost their first game after the All Star Break yesterday, but today they send Sergio Mitre out to the mound to start a new streak.
Gardner to DL: Brett Gardner was put on the DL with a broken left thumb. He injured it in the first inning yesterday and still hit a triple and made two diving catches later in the game. That is why I love this guy. Jonathan Albaladejo has been called up to take his spot today. It is expected they will get a position player tomorrow to fill the spot.

UPDATE 1:40: Leave it to Cano to clear the bases and still make the last out in a RISP situation. Anyway, I'll take it, 4-2 Yankees.

UPDATE 1:50: Michael Kya said he has tickets for a Barry Manilow concert. For a birthday gift for his sister...riiiiiight.

UPDATE 2:41: I remember back at school, some Red Sox fans were actually happy they got John Smoltz and thought he'd be a good back end of the rotation guy. He's 1-3 with a 6.31 ERA and is losing 5-0 to the Orioles right now in the 4th inning. Sergio Mitre is doing a better job as a fifth starter than him (knock on wood).

UPDATE 2:48: That's it for Mitre. 5 innings, 3 runs, and 9 hits. Not bad for a fifth starter (better than Smoltz) but now in a 1-run game the Yankees bullpen needs 12 outs. I wonder if they go Coke, Hughes for 2 innings, then Mo? Those are the only guys I trust right now. Maybe Aceves if necessary.

UPDATE 2:57: I'm assuming Coke gave up a HR. I didn't see it as I am watching Rickey Henderson's speech, but I turn back to find the Yankees trailing 5-4.

UPDATE 3:06: I gave away my tickets for this game, but it is pretty much like most of the games I have attended. Yanks get on the board early. Give the lead back. Then come back and re-take the lead. 6-5 Yankees on Jeter's RBI single.

UPDATE 4:00: Hughes gets into a jam in the eighth. Bruney gets a key strikeout. Now Mo is on with second and third and two outs for a four out save.