"It's great to be young and a Yankee."

Game 1:

Well, there you go. Javy shows up to the party. Unfortunately, the cool kids had decided the party wasn't worth going to, and hence our awkward pitcher was all by his lonesome.

The Yankees lost this one, mainly on account of the fact they were completely stymied by Porcello. I'm surprised actually. Not that Porcello isn't a good pitcher. He's alright. He's more shaky than anything, though, and his "good" starts are usually against lesser batters. The Yanks generally aren't ones to get baffled by the slider over and over. Only 4 hits on the game, from Cano, Swish. Posada, and...wait for it...Winn.

Detroit really wasn't much more effective, but their chincy bats were able to cough up 2 meak runs. Javy was brilliant. I don't get it. I just don't get this game. Much in the same way that my dad once announced--his voice drenched in troubled malcontent--"I just don't GET brisket." He was staring at our dinner with this complete look of defeat and confusion.

Similarly, I just don't GET pitchers these days. I mean, Dallas Braden has effectively given every mediocre relevant pitcher hope that in his next start, he could completely inexplicably transcend logic and fundamental convention, and turn into a god.

Perhaps THAT is why he pitched the way he did today. 7IP, 5 hits, 7Ks. Well done, kid. Is this pressure off now?

Game 2:

This time, the scoreboard was half full. It almost looked like we were gonna conclude the twin bill with a neat little 0-2, 2-0 palindrome.

But then the top of the 9th rolled around, and the Yanks basically looked at each, said, "What the hell, let's party" and then rolled out 6 "insurance runs." (Which, on a side note, makes my list of baseball expressions I hate. A.) it demeans the value of the runs scored. All of 'em are important. B.) it's like a fancy way of jinxing a team. C.) it's almost ruling out the possibility of a comeback, thereby dismissing the potential for the lasting innings.

So a 2 run lead was bad enough to face in the bottom of the 9th, 8 runs was a bit too daunting for the Tiggers, who had spent the evening being completely silenced by the inimitable Phil Hughes.

I think Damon put it best, because Damon loves the Yankees:

"On 15 to 20 teams, he's probably an ace. For the Yankees, he's the No. 4 starter."

Hughes is now undefeated in his last 10 starts. Just let this register for a moment. His 1.38 ERA is the best in the league. Our #4 starter is the best pitcher in baseball. He's also the youngest Yankees starting pitcher to win his first five decisions since 1950, when Whitey Ford was 9-0.

Jesus.

Our other pitchers for the game were just as smooth. Joba's now pitched 8 scoreless innings. Mo made a return to the field, which I'm sure just aggravated my sis since he had not played since I traded him to her, and when he finally comes in, it's in a non-save situation. However, I'm sure his 0.00 ERA isn't hurting anyone.

The first 2 runs came from ARod and Tex ribbies. Garnder continues to excel in the lineup, going 3 for 5, and stealing his 14th base of the year. Our other wonderkid, Cervelli, also came through, with 2 nice shots, a run and a ribbie. Looking good, guys, looking good.

In other news, Aces is on the DL, because I have to assume they're giving away free Kobe beef steaks and exotic dancers and free bags of money in there. His replacement for now is OF Greg Golson, who got his first major league hit in the 9th. I LOVE it, LOVE it (bears repeating) when after that happens, everyone makes sure the game ball is obtained to give the batter as a souveneir. Such an endearing, compassionate human tradition.

Kinda reminded me when Ramiro Pena got his first homerun and everyone in the dugout when to great lengths to give him the cold shoulder when he got back. For about 2 seconds, before they mobbed him. You had to know, after seeing that, that there wasn't a team in the league that was going to take down the Yankees.

And now? I still don't think there is.