WHY JORGE'S HEART BEATS STRONG

(Photo: NY Daily News)

One at bat does not define a season. Nor does one game for that matter. But the soon-to-be-40-year-old Jorge Posada (his birthday's Wednesday) came pretty damn close to making a case that his performance today is enough to keep him on the post season roster. Let's hope Joe Girardi and the rest of the Yankees see it the same way!



Behind the solid starting pitching of Phil Hughes, Jorge led the Yankees to the "W" column today with a 5th inning grand slam that had Yankee stadium rocking and broke the game open for the Bronx Bombers. Heading into the 5th the Yankees were holding onto a two run lead. When the 5th inning was over the Yankee lead was 7. In fact, 6 of the Yankees first 7 runs were by way of Mr. Jorge Posada! The Yankee DH finished with 6 RBI's today on three hits. Last time Jorge Posada had 6 RBI's in a game = September 2006. Also, surprisingly, 6 RBI's are not a career high for Jorge. He once had 7!

(Photo: AP)

Despite the sick day at the plate for Jorge, the other big story today has to be the performance of Phil Hughes. I mean the guy has now put together 3 solid outings in a row and really shut down the homer-happy Rays today, not an easy task. Hughes gave the Yanks five outstanding innings earning his 3rd win of the year and, more importantly, made his case to remain in the starting rotation. Girardi and the Yankees have to seriously consider Hughes over Burnett.

So the final line on Phil Hughes today was 6 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.



Although Posada was really the only story on the offensive side today, a few other Yankees were able to pad up their stats. Granderson's MVP season continued when he hammered his 33rd HR and knocked in his 94th RBI of the year.



Grandy, Cano, Tex, and the Captain each had 2 hits and Swish used his good eye at the plate to earn 3 BB's. The Yankees banged out a total of 16 hits and also walked six times.

(Photo: NY Daily News)

Overall just one of those fun games to watch today. Yankee fans love Jorge, make no mistake about that. The standing ovation and curtain call he received proved that. Despite Posada-gate earlier this season, Yankee fans are in Jorge's corner and it's days like today that make me smile from ear to ear. I just love Posada and how do you ignore Hughes progressing while AJ regresses? Let's hope the Yankees do not base their decision on who stays in the starting rotation vs. the bullpen on $82.5 million. Let's hope Yankee brass care about the "W"'s over the $$$'s!

OTHER GAME NOTES FROM TODAY:

(Photo: AP)

Before today's game Derek Jeter was honored for his 3,000th career hit. He donated his batting gloves and batting helmet from that July 9th game to the Hall of Fame.



Also, Yankees signed former Yankees RHP Scott Proctor to a minor league contract. Hmmmm....



FINAL SCORE: New York Yankees 9 - Tampa Bay Rays 2



Rubber match of the series tomorrow at 1:05pm. Freddy Garcia will face RHP James Shields who has six complete games this year.

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer

Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com

Twitter: @MikeyBlu23



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