Was this a duel or a slugfest? There was great pitching and a bunch of homers.
The Rockies rookie and top prospect Juan Nicasio pitched a perfect game into the 5th inning, backed by a 3-0 lead on a sac fly and a pair of homers.
The Yankee bats woke up in the 5th: a Cano single followed by a Swisher HR followed by a Posada HR.
In the 6th, Ty Wigginton hit his second homer of the day off Ivan Nova, but the Yankees re-tied the game in the bottom of the inning on an RBI centaur single after Brett Gardner got on base with a bunt (omg!) hit.
Luis Ayala started the 7th inning but was lifted after allowing a single. In came Boone Logan (groan), but the lefty got 3 quick outs (against the top of the Rockies' order no less!). In the bottom of the 7th, a Jorge Posada walk was followed by an error and a pinch runner, who scored on a sharply hit ball by goat-in-waiting Eduardo Nunez.
David Robertson did his thing in the 8th, striking out 2 more batters. Tex added an 8th inning solo homer.
Rivera struck out the side. Just another middle aged guy doing his job.
Does D-Rob belong at the All-Star game? Long answer: He never complained about being pushed down the depth chart by Soriano and Joba, and when they both hit the DL he responded in a huge way. His 1.2 WAR is second among AL relievers, ERA is lower than any qualified pitcher who has recorded a save, and only Jonathan Papelbon has a better xFIP. In a year when few AL closers are distinguishing themselves, if I'm the manager, I have to give him a good long look.