by Cole Hoyt, Contributing Writer and Loyal Yankees Fan
Minutes before the trade deadline late Tuesday afternoon, the New York Yankees signed Casey McGehee to help the club while first baseman Mark Teixeira is on the bench with an injury. McGehee’s first act as a Yankee was to shave his two-year-old beard.
The pinstripes welcomed back middle reliever Joba Chamberlain who hasn’t pitched in the Majors since June 5, 2011. Even after giving up two runs and four hits, the die-hard Yankees fans gave him a standing ovation for his long awaited return. After the win starting pitcher Phil Hughes picked up his 11th win. As impressive, Hughes did not allow a home run for the fifth time this year. Hughes has accomplished this by keeping the ball down and in while also keeping hitters off balanced. When talking to reporters about Joba Chamberlain after the much-needed win, Hughes “He’s almost like a trade acquisition.” Outfielder Nick Swisher also told reporters, “You seen the size of that dude? That guy’s a beast”. If Joba Chamberlin can get into this beast mode, the Yankees will surely get back to their winning ways. The Bombers bats have been consistently on fire throughout the entire season and their starting pitching has been very decent as well. But with a strong set-up man in Joba Chamberlin, then the lights out closer, Rafael Soriano, the Yankees should be expected to extend their lead in the American League East.
Second base superstar Robinson Cano hit a gran slam in the third inning against Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Britton. Even with a stormy afternoon at Yankees stadium the Bombers captain Derek Jeter recorded three hits and also drove in three. With the win the Yankees reclaim a 6.5 game lead in the American League East.
Off the topic, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined the New York Yankees “Bleacher Creature” and took part in the historic “Roll Call”. However, she only stayed in those seats for the first inning and moved to closer seats later in the game. Some may recall her injunction that forced an end to the almost eight month strike by the baseball players’ union.
Tonight the Yankees take on newly acquired outfielder Ichiro Suzuki’s former team, the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees will try to snap a seven game winning streak for the Mariners and All-Star CC Sabathia will start the series for the Yankees as Kevin Millwood of the Mariners will try to stop the thundering Yankees bats. What he doesn’t know: the Yankees are planning to homer in 21 straight home games.
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