Thanks to another great pitching performance, this time from Andy Pettite, the Yankees extended their winning streak to nine games, cut the Red Sox lead in the AL East to 7.5 games, and are within 3.5 games of the Tigers in the Wild Card race:
When the Yankees played in Chicago last week, Manager Joe Torre considered giving Alex Rodriguez a day off. Torre guessed that Rodriguez might be worn down mentally by the swirl of stories about his private life, and worn down physically by playing every game this season.
But Rodriguez seems to be rejuvenated, Torre said, and the best rest he could give him was a start at designated hitter yesterday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees, as always, were happy to have him.
Rodriguez had three hits and figured in all three scoring rallies in Andy Pettitte?s 7-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. It extended the Yankees? winning streak to nine games on the eve of this weekend?s series with the Mets at Yankee Stadium.
The nine-game winning streak is the longest by any team in the majors this season, and Rodriguez?s torrid play has more meaning than it did in April, when the Yankees won nine games all month.
?It feels better, just because we?re winning games,? Rodriguez said. ?It feels like you?re in the flow of things a little bit better.?
Rodriguez has driven in 21 runs during the winning streak, and he is batting .391 in June. He has a major league-best 68 runs batted in this season, a total he did not reach last year until July 16, and he leads the major leagues with 25 homers.
?I think he?s relaxed,? Torre said. ?That?s the best part of Alex right now, because if you?re relaxed, all of a sudden you?re going to just allow your ability to do what it does, and he?s got special ability. That?s the best thing I see about Alex right now, that he?s having some fun.?
Quite honestly, it seems like the whole team is having fun. Which, on some level is the key to winning. Constantly being under the pressure of The Boss to win can’t be good for morale. Finally winning and being able to enjoy what you do can only make things better.
Which is why Boston and Detroit need to be looking in their rear view mirrors for an oncoming train from New York.
