Yanks Sweep Astros But Lose Wang

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees	0	0	3	0	0	8	0	2	0		13	16	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	7	1

The Yankees completed the sweep of the Houston Astros today with a 13-0 beating at Minute Maid Park. But the win doesn't come without some very, very bad news; Yankees' starter Chien-Ming Wang injured his right foot running the bases in the 6th inning and had to be helped off the field. I would imagine he's going to miss at least a month, and most likely more, but then again that's just speculation. Foot injuries are never good, though, just look at Jason Giambi last year, and Brian Bruney this year.

Wang pitched great up until that point allowing no runs on 6 hits in 5 innings pitched, while striking out 3 and walking none.

Ross Ohlendorf, Edwar Ramirez, Latroy Hawkins and Dan Giese all pitched scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wang (W, 8-2)	5.0	6	0	0	0	3	0	4.07
Ohlendorf	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	5.65
Ramirez	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2.25
Hawkins	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	5.65
Giese	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1.23

ASTROS PITCHING

The Yankees offense pounded out 13 runs on 16 hits today and really looked great on the road trip. The first runs came in the 3rd inning on a bases loaded walk to Jorge Posada and a 2-run bloop single by Robinson Cano.

They were still leading 3-0 heading into the 6th, but then exploded for 8 runs to blow the game open. Derek Jeter hit a 2-run single, Hideki Matsui followed with an RBI single of his own, Alex Rodriguez hit a 3-run HR, his 12th of the year, and Jorge Posada hit a 2-run HR, his 3rd.

The Yanks scored their 12th and 13th runs in the top of the 8th on another bases loaded walk to Robinson Cano, and an RBI groundout by Melky Cabrera.

Johnny Damon continues to swing a hot bat as he went 4-for-6.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	6	1	3	0	0	0	0	.332
Jeter, SS	4	1	2	2	0	0	0	.273
a-Gonzalez, PH-SS	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	.191
Matsui, LF	5	2	2	1	1	0	1	.325
Rodriguez, 3B	4	3	2	3	1	0	1	.326
Hawkins, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
c-Molina, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.217
Giese, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Giambi, 1B	2	2	1	0	1	1	0	.262
Ohlendorf, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Ramirez, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
b-Moeller, PH-C	2	1	1	0	0	0	2	.262
Posada, C-1B	2	1	2	3	3	0	0	.318
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	3	1	1	2	.225
Cabrera, RF	5	0	0	1	0	2	8	.258
Wang, P	3	1	0	0	0	2	4	.000
Betemit, 1B-3B	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	.224
Totals	42	13	15	13	7	6	22
a-Grounded into a forceout for Jeter in the 7th. b-Doubled for Ramirez in the 8th. c-Reached on error for Hawkins in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Matsui (13, Oswalt), Moeller (5, Villarreal). HR: Rodriguez (12, 6th inning off Wright, 2 on, 2 out), Posada (3, 6th inning off Wright, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Damon 4; Jeter 2; Matsui 3; Rodriguez 5; Giambi; Moeller 2; Posada 5; Cano 2. RBI: Posada 3 (17), Cano 3 (24), Jeter 2 (30), Matsui (34), Rodriguez 3 (37), Cabrera (31). 2-out RBI: Posada 3; Cano 2; Jeter 2; Matsui; Rodriguez 3. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Wang; Cabrera; Betemit; Moeller. GIDP: Gonzalez. Team LOB: 10. BASERUNNING CS: Damon (5, 2nd base by Oswalt/Ausmus).

ASTROS OFFENSE

The Yanks had a great road trip, and have been playing their best baseball of the season, but I can't help feel that the loss of Wang will be a killer. Hopefully it's not long-term, but if it is the Yankees will have to hope that either Ian Kennedy (who will be back in a week or two), Dan McCutchen, or Jeff Karstens can fill the void left behind. If they can't then the Yanks may be forced into trading for C.C. Sabathia. Anyway, it's all irrelevant until Wang has his MRI tomorrow and we learn the full extent of his injury.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Chein-Ming Wang (5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: The Yankees' Offense (13 runs on 15 hits and 7 walks)

The Yanks have an off day on Monday, and will travel home to start a 3-game series on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Andy Pettitte will start for the Bombers, with Randy Wolf starting for the Padres. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and the game will be on YES and WCBS 880.