Yanks Move into Tie for First

Baseball has a way of yielding the results we come to expect. The game just always seems to even out.

The Yankees struggled in April and early May while Toronto jumped out to a sizzling start in the tough American League East. Talent wise, the Bronx Bombers came into the 2009 campaign with a much improved roster and was arguably the team to beat in the division.

Now, that talent is coming together. The proverbial "cream is rising to the top." Toronto has lost nine straight. Tampa, the reigning AL East champs, have looked nothing like the team that won the division last year. With injuries and decline to slugger David Ortiz, even Boston has taken a step back of late.

Enter the Yankees. Propelled by their 10-game homestand and two wins in Texas, New York now has a share of the AL East lead. The Rangers defeated the Bombers 7-3 Tuesday night, but the Yankees won 9-2 Wednesday, taking two of three from Texas. New York will now continue its road trip. The Yankees head to Cleveland tonight to open a four-game set.

The Yankees have won 12 of 15 and are tied atop the division with Boston. It is the first time this season New York has been in first place in the AL East.

New York was dominant Wednesday in Texas both on the mound and at the plate. AJ Burnett pitched six shutout innings to win for the first time since April 14 and Hideki Matsui homered twice, while the Yankees reached double-digit hits for the fourth straight game with 15 in the victory.

Mark Teixeira homered for the seventh time in 10 games and 10th time since Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. Matsui homered twice for the third time in his career and first since July 31, 2007 against the White Sox.

Despite the offensive outburst, the story was Burnett. The right-hander, who was 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA over his past seven starts, said he wanted to stay aggressive against a hard-hitting Rangers lineup. Burnett (3-2) allowed three hits, walked four and struck out seven, fairing much better than Joba Chamberlain the night before. Tuesday, Chamberlain lasted four innings for the Yankees, allowing three earned runs. After getting hit in the knee in his start, Chamberlain didn’t look 100 percent. Chris Davis homered twice for the Rangers providing starter Kevin Millwood all he would need on the mound. Millwood scattered nine hits, allowing just three runs in 5 2/3 innings as he beat the Yankees for just the second time in his career.

All in all, another good series for the Yankees. Anytime you can take two-of-three on the road, you’re in good shape. Andy Pettitte will take the hill Friday for New York opposing Cleveland’s Cliff Lee. Pettitte looked dominant at times during his last start. If only he could have two pitches back, he may have earned the win. Pettitte allowed two home runs to the Phillies on Saturday. The left-hander surrendered just five hits in taking a no-decision. The Yankees came back to win the game, saving Pettitte from his first loss since April 26.