Finally the Yanks retaliate

The Yanks have been getting beat up all year by opposition pitchers and we all wondered when the Yankees would finally snap, last night Randy Johnson did, but it a productive way. After Jorge Posada was hit by a Jason Johnson fastball, the Yankee catcher barked at the pitcher, for some stupid reason both benches were warned. It may not of been intentional but the Bombers seem to be getting hit day in, day out at the moment and I'm not surprised JoPo wasn't overly amused.

Next inning and Randy buzzed one up and in and was promptly thrown out of the game along with Joe Torre. It was an important moment in most Yankee fans eyes as Randy finally looked nasty, he finally looked like the filthy ace of a staff he was brought in to be. He was daring hitters all night as he threw the pitches that made him famous, a nice potent fastball and a slider that fell away. He moved to 8-5 on the season but he defended his catcher, he showed that he was ready to be a team player and turned the jeers and taunts of the crowd into hearty cheers as he departed after 6 1/3 innings of four hit, one run ball and prompted hopes of a corner being turned.

The Yankees offense finally got to Jason Johnson in the 4th when Jeter lead off with a single and Giambi rattled one off the RCF wall for a double. A-Rod scored Jeter from 3rd on a groundout and Cano brought Giambi to the plate with a two out opposite field RBI single. Damon and Andy Phillips would both go deep in the 5th and 6th innings respectively to give the home side more than enough offense to win. Scott Proctor and Ron Villone pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball to preserve the victory.

The Red Sox went down to the Twinkies thus putting the Yankees in sole possession of first place in the AL East. Mike Mussina goes for the Bombers tonight as he looks to take his win tally to nine for the season.