(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)The Yankees didn't have too much trouble putting Saturday's frustrating loss behind them, scoring two runs in the first inning on Sunday, and building up an 8-0 lead by the fifth.
They could have stopped at two, because for the sixth straight time CC Sabathia held an opponent to less than two runs while pitching into the eighth. In seven innings yesterday, the big lefty allowed just one run on six hits, walked one, and struck out one while racking up his 12th win of the season. Along with the 12 wins, CC enters the All-Star break with a very nice 3.09 ERA.
The only run Seattle scored came on a Chone Figgins RBI single in the sixth. CC got into a couple other jams, but thanks to two timely double plays he avoided any further trouble.
Mark Teixeira had a huge day at the plate, going 4-for-5, with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. His four-hit day raised his average to .254. Not too bad considering this guy was hitting under .200 in the middle of May.
Marcus Thames is making his presence felt since returning from the DL. He went 2-for-5, with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored.
Derek Jeter had a big two-run double in the Yankees three-run fourth. It was his only hit of the game and he enters the break with a disappointing .274 batting average.
(If I told anyone that the Yankees would have the best record in baseball at the break, and Jeter, A-Rod (0-for-5) and Tex would be hitting .274, .269 and .254, they'd think I was crazy.)
Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano also had RBIs in the game.
With a seven-run lead Joe Girardi decided to use this game to give some relievers who haven't pitched a lot lately some much-needed work. Chad Gaudin pitched a perfect eighth, and Dustin Moseley allowed a run on a Casey Kotchman solo homer in the ninth.
The Yankees head into the break with a MLB-best 56 wins. Both Tampa and Boston won, so nothing changes in the standings, but I think most Yankees fans are pretty satisfied with a two-game lead heading into the break, I know I am.
After a nice four day vacation the Yankees will restart the 2010 season on Thursday as they open a series with the second-place Rays at the stadium. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. and the game will be on MY9.
