Jeter Sinks Bucs in 10th

It wasn't exactly a screaming line drive, but it'll do.

Derek Jeter dribbled an infield single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th to give the Yanks a 5-4 victory  over the Pirates on a hot, hazy Friday night in the Bronx.  This was a very encouraging win if you're a Yankee fan.  The Bombers received another solid starting performance, battled back from 2 two-run deficits and Mariano Rivera pitched effectively as the Yanks won their 4th in a row.

The Good:

Andy Pettitte.  Pettitte may have needed therapy if the Yanks lost this one.  Once again he pitched brilliantly and once again he failed to get credit for the win.  Pettitte's only real mistake was the homer hit by Xavier Nady in the second.  A bloop single accounted for the other run and a misplay in center drove in two more.  Pettitte's no decision went down like this: 8 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K.  Hang in there, Andy.

Hideki Matsui.  Matsui's two-run bomb in the sixth drew the Yanks even at 2-2 and injected some life into the team.  He didn't deliver with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, but I'll cut him a break.  It's just a matter of time before he catches fire.  He finished 2 for 5 with 2 ribbies and a run scored.

Derek Jeter.  The base hit may have only traveled 40 feet, but it was good enough to give the Bombers the victory.  The Captain finished 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and 2 big runs batted in.  Just another ordinary night for Jeter. 

Mariano Rivera.  It was a little bumpy, but Rivera navigated his way through 2 innings for the win.  Mo's record now stands at 2-3 and his ERA has dropped to a still strange but dipping 4.12. 

The Bad:

Melky Cabrera.  It wasn't a good night for Melky.  He finished 0 for 3 with two K's and butchered a line drive in center that turned into a two-run inside-the-park home run off the bat of Chris Duffy.  Still, the Melk-Man battled back as he delivered a clutch sac bunt in the 10th.

Ducks on the pond.  Every Yankee player left at least one runner on base during Friday night's contest as the team finished with a total of 21 stranded base runners.  Robinson Cano was the leader with five with Matsui coming in at a close second with four.  Both guys did contribute to the win (Cano with a leadoff double in the 10th and Matsui with his two-run blast) so it worked out.

The Ugly:

Tom Gorzelanny vs. the mound.  Something was up with Gorzelanny and the Yankee Stadium mound.  He stumbled a few times while pitching and floated one delivery to Posada that went WAY high and WAY wide when his footing slipped.  Everyone was smiling after that play.  Even Gorzelanny chuckled after the pitch.  He also freaked out on a couple of comebackers.  Odd.

In case you've been hibernating in a cave on the planet Neptune, Roger Clemens will make his 2007 debut for the Yankees on Saturday afternoon.  The Pirates will go with another lefty, Paul Maholm, who sports an ugly 2-8 record and a 5.35 ERA.

Can The Rocket push the Yanks streak to 5?