NYY: Games 2-3: Yankees def. D-Rays

With the hole the Yankees have to dig themselves out of, it would be unfair to bring up the horrific 12-2 loss they suffered to Baltimore last year right before the five game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway. For one, in Saturday's day-night doubleheader they were facing the Devil Rays and not the Red Sox. Big difference. But man, that 14-4 disaster from Friday seemed like it happened a long time ago, didn't it?

Game 1

Final Score: Yankees 7, Devil Rays 3
WP: Vizcaino (7-2, 4.35 ERA)
LP: Ryu (1-2, 6.65 ERA)

Igawa continues to make it difficult to know what to make of his outings. If you just looked at his line from Saturday afternoon, you would think he had an acceptable outing for a fifth starter. 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 6 K. He gave up two solo homeruns, to BJ Upton and rumored Yankee target Ty Wigginton, but without allowing walks ahead of them it would appear that Igawa minimized his damage.

The problem is Igawa's unpredictability. He managed to wiggle out of jams Saturday, including bases loaded at one point, but it's hard to know whether to chalk his success up to Igawa's talent or to luck. The high number of strikeouts continues to suggest that Igawa has the stuff to be a successful pitcher eventually in the major leagues. His love of the high strike can work if mixed effectively with his change-up and his slider low in the zone. But right now, his problem (like much of the Yankee pitching staff...looking at you, bullpen) is consistency. At least Jaret Wright's outings last season were more predictable and easier to prepare for.

The offense appeared to be asleep for the first part of the game, until a 2-run homer from matsui in the 4th inning off Hammel. The Yankees remained knotted at 2-2 until the 6th inning, where the bottom of the order came through. Robinson Cano drove in Bobby Abreu, and Andy Phillips followed with a 2 RBI single.

But the highlight of the afternoon had to be Shelley Duncan, who followed Phillips with a 2-run homerun - the first of his major league career. He was greeted with a curtain call from the Stadium and laughter form his teammates following a few, shall we say, exuberant high fives from the obviously thrilled Duncan.

Andy Phillips about two seconds from having his bell rung by a helmet slap courtesy of Shelley Duncan - Photo credited to AP/Bill Kostroun

The score was then 7-2 and would remain that way until the 8th inning, when the struggling Scott Proctor surrendered a homerun to Raul Casanova. Proctor was relieved by Rivera in the 9th inning to secure the victory.

Game 2

Final Score: Yankees 17, Devil Rays 5
WP: Vizcaino (8-2, 4.24 ERA)
LP: Howell (1-4, 7.36 ERA)

It was too bad DeSalvo couldn't get through one more out to secure himself a win. He pitched well at the start, allowing two runs over four innings. But DeSalvo struggled with that final out in the fifth, and Torre chose to make the change to Bruney despite the team's 7-4 lead. With Bruney pitching through the first out of the 6th inning, that would become a 7-5 lead, but the Yankees broke the game open easily after that with five runs scored in both the bottom of the 6th and 7th.

Amusingly, the only Yankee starter without a run scored was the recent clutch-hitting hero for the team: Andy Phillips. But it wasn't for lack of trying, on a two hit night. Every Yankee starter had at least one hit in this game. In fact, every Yankee starter sans one had a multi-hit game. The exception was Hideki Matsui, but he made his hit count: a 3-run homerun off of Stokes in the 7th.

(Yes, that means Wil Nieves had a multi-hit game. More on him in a moment.)

There were some defensive gems as well. Johnny Damon, who has had a terrible month of July thus far, not only contributed to the cause with four RBI but with two sparkling catches in left field. Not to be left out, Melky Cabrera contributed his own - a diving catch in left-center in the 9th inning. But I give a lot of credit to Matsui, more for game one of this doubleheader than the second game. His homerun did a lot to wake the line-up from its funk. Between that jumpstart and the energy provided by Duncan's homer, the Yankees steamrolled right over Tampa Bay in game two.

For those keeping track, Luis Vizcaino now has eight total victories this season. Eight. That makes him second on the Yankee staff to only Chien-Ming Wang, with ten wins. Vizcaino has been lights out of late, but that he's second on the staff in wins at the end of July is mind-boggling.

As for tomorrow? It's a quick turnaround for the Yankees as they look to win this four-game series against the Devil Rays in a Sunday matinee.

LHP Andy Pettitte (5-6, 4.10 ERA) vs. RHP James Shields (8-5, 3.91 ERA)

Pettitte is certainly hoping to see some of the offense the Yankees unleashed on Saturday after picking up a no-decision in Toronto. He gave up one earned run over seven innings that outing and seemed to take a huge step towards the level of pitching he offered the Yankees earlier int he season.

In his last outing against the Angels, Shields picked up the win with seven innings and only two earned runs. His July 12th start against the Yankees, however, was less than stellar. Shields took the loss, giving up five earned runs over six innings - including three homeruns.

Trade News: It was announced during the Saturday night Yankee game that Brian Cashman had sealed a trade for a new backup catcher. Longtime Yankee AA pitcher Jeff Kennard will be dealt to the Angels for catcher Jose Molina. This will effectively end Wil Nieves' time in the Bronx. He is set to be designated for assignment as soon as Molina arrives. If Molina is unable to report tomorrow, Nieves will remain on for an extra day before being sent out.

Down on the farm: Scranton/WB took a 5-1 loss on Saturday night against the Charlotte Knights. Tyler Clippard was the losing pitcher on record, going five innings and giving up three runs on nine hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Brett Gardner recorded the lone S/WB RBI on a bases loaded force out at 2B in the bottom of the 5th, scoring Chris Basak. Justin Christian grounded out to end the Yankee threat.

Edit 12:07pm: I forgot to mention yesterday, RHP Matt DeSalvo was optioned back to AAA following his Saturday night start. He will be replaced by LHP Sean Henn.