What a strange game. The team is obviously better with A-Rod in the lineup, yet they've gone 21-3 this year without him and 0-2 since his return on Sunday. Funny how that works.
- Baltimore's last win in New York came almost exactly one year ago (Sept. 12, 2009) -
On that day, Brian Matusz beat A.J. Burnett -- the same pitchers of record as yesterday. The buzz after that game was that Burnett was the Yankees' biggest question mark as they approached the playoffs. He still is.
I can't disagree.
- Speaking of A-Rod: with two RBI yesterday, he reached 100 for the 14th time in his career, breaking a four-way tie between himself, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx. Some company.
- If you're going to be near Trenton, New Jersey on Thursday, you might want to attend the Thunder game. Andy Pettitte will make a rehab start for them in a Double-A playoff game.
- The Scranton Yankees finished their season as the top team in the IL's North Division with a 12-inning win over Lehigh Valley. Jesus Montero homered in the first inning. To quote the announcer -
I've only been here for two of the three years; that is the longest home run I have seen hit to left-centerfield by far. That was absolutely crushed.
Scranton will face Columbus in the first round, best of five series starting Wednesday.
- How much will the Yankees pay Derek Jeter? A rival blogger ponders that question.