Skipper Returns, Yanks Back to Winning Ways

It was nice to see Girardi back where he belongs, and even nicer to end the weekend with a victory.  What is it about these Rays?  They have really become a handful over the last three seasons.  The Rays can certainly hit and run and play defense, one more quality starter would really make them dangerous.  Regardless, Wang pulled the Yanks into the 7th and Joba was lights out again.

While the pitching was fantastic it appears the bats may be coming to life.  Despite scoring only two runs courtesy of Matsui, the line up totalled 9 hits for the second straight game and the middle of the order was a combined 6 for 11.  I am not exactly guaranteeing 1000 runs at this point, but it is certainly an improvement.  We all knew this lineup would hit, their bats will continue to warm with the weather.

Wilson Betemit looks like a fine defensive stand in as he did after his trade acquisition last year.  His base running gaff, however, doesnt make it easy for Girardi to call his number everyday.  It wasnt like it was a pure hustle play that came up short trying to stretch a base hit into a double - he committed the cardinal sin of making the first out of the inning at third base with the whole play in front of him.  When the ball arrived at third base, he wasnt even in the picture, and should have know when he rounded second and Upton, the Rays centerfielder, already had the ball that this was a bad decision to stretch for third.  Hey, it's April.

Hopes rest on Mussina for snaring a series split tonight...Let's hope the offense is there to back him up.

Go Yanks!