Kei Igawa was cruising until the sixth inning only surrendering one unearned run due to an error from Bobby Abreu which resulted in Mike Piazza reaching third base to start an inning and later score.

However, in the sixth he gave up a two run homer to Eric Chavez and Kyle Farnsworth couldn't hold it and gave up a gopher ball to Nick Swisher on a 2-0 pitch to tie the game at 4.

The Yankees jumped out to a 1-0 lead and then scored three more runs on four consecutive singles, a bases loaded walk and a run scoring double play ball. They had a great chance in the eighth to take the lead when A-Rod led off with a single and was chased to third when Giambi doubled down the line in right. Posada then lined to first for the first out of the inning. Mientkiewicz hit a bouncer over the mound which the pitcher fumbled with but was able to force A-Rod at the plate before retiring Melky Cabrera to end the Yankee threat.

The Bombers also had chances in extra innings but couldn't get the big hit when they needed it. In the 11th, Brian Bruney had been cruising but gave up a triple to Buck with only one out. He eventually scored the winning run when Mienktkiewicz fielded Kielty's soft grounder but threw wide to home and Posada couldn't keep contact with the plate.

A's starter Danny Haren was effective early but weakened due to a high pitch count and was left the game early losing.

Carl Pavano is scratched from today's start and will be replaced by Darrell Rasner. Andy Pettitte pitches the finale on Sunday afternoon.

Peter Abraham spoke to Brian Cashman who told him that Moose has not been placed on the DL and it is likely that Mussina will miss one start and will be back in the rotation after that.

Mo had been pulled after two innings on Wednesday thanks to a strained left hamstring.

Via Dave and Aziz.

Edit: Actually, it's 5 42's... Torre's wearing it, as well. I got caught up on the 44 4's Jay-Z tie in, I guess. Thanks Mike.

Sunday against Oakland, Derek Jeter, A-Rod and Cano (as well as Mo, of course) will all wear number 42, in honor or Jackie Robinson.

In addition to what James said, Tyler Kepner mentions that only one player has hit more home runs than A-Rod in the first seven games - ever. That'd be Mike Schmidt in 1976 with 7 HR. That included a 4 HR game.

One common thread? Larry Bowa had a front row seat in both situations. He was the Phillies' shortstop.

Edit: Actually, it is historic: no Yankee has ever done it.

The Yankees won their first series of the season with ease, taking the second straight from Minnesota, 10-1. Pettitte (following Pavano's above average performance) continued to calm the concerns regarding the staff with a 4 hit, 3 strikeout gem through 6 complete innings. It was my first time seeing him pitch this year and I was right at home: Vintage Pettitte, except he didn't go inside on righties with the cutter. Hopefully that pitch is tucked up his sleeve.

Scott Proctor pitched the 7th, and had trouble with his command, causing him to have to groove pitches for strikes. Vizcaino replaced him and bridged the gap to the future President of Panama, who vetoed Minnesota's 9th inning.

The offense hinged on two important swings. Rodriguez's first inning jack to grab the lead, 2-0, and Damon's fifth inning shot to place the game out of reach, 6-0. Melky broke his slump with a 2nd innning RBI. Giambi, Abreu and recent callup Kevin Thompson all added RBI's in the rout.

MLB Extra Innings gave me the Minnesota home TV feed, and the broadcasters compared Cano's swing with Rod Carew's side by side...it looked like the same guy in a different uniform.

I also understand that Rob Cucuzza has ordered a special bat for Alex with a composite handle...when he handles regular wood bats they burst into flames.

Not a full recap - just wanted to mention that Alex (age 31 season) has now tied Manny Ramirez (age 35 season) on the all-time list with 470 HRs. Next up on the list for the both of them will be Jim Thome (age 36 season) at 474. It'll be interesting to watch and see who among the three can get to the magical 500 first.

Barring injuries, those guys (as well as Frank Thomas (age 39 season) - 488 HR) will all get there eventually this season. It's just a question of when and how high they will climb on the all-time list. Eddie Murray stands at the entrance (#20 all-time) with 504 and with a total of 40 HRs total this season, A-Rod will be tied with him. Wow.

This just in: Alex Rodriguez is good. The Yankee third basemen put another ball out of the park Monday night in the Yanks' 8-2 victory over the Twins at the Metrodome. A-Rod now has 5 home runs in 6 games and leads the league with 5 HR, 13 RBI and a not too shabby slugging percentage of 1.080. A-Rod is finally beginning to actually earn the boo birds...on the road.

The real story of tonight's game though was Carl Pavano. He gave the Yankees' their first quality start of the season, going 7 full innings (gasp!), allowing only two runs on six hits. The bullpen probably still just needs a day off on the schedule the way they've been worked, but tonight they only had to go two innings, as Bruney (7 strikeouts in 3 and 2/3 scoreless innings...eek) and Kyle Farnsworth each pitched an inning of scoreless relief.

Offensively, despite A-Rod's current home run tear, most of the damage was done by Bobby Abreu, who went 3-5 with a homer and 4 RBI. Derek Jeter also added three hits and Johnny Damon went 2-4. Posada drove in two runs as well. Robinson Cano's 5-game hitting streak to start the season was snapped.

The Yankees will resume their series in Minnesota tonight at 8:10 E.T. Andy Pettite will be making his second start and will face second-year pitcher Boof Bonser. Pettite had a rather rough outing his first time around and failed to get through the 5th in the freezing temperatures but pitched an inning of scoreless relief on Sunday.

Sorry for being a week or so late but here I go anyway.

Pitching:

Wang: 15 wins (he will drop off a little bit due to injury and poor defense).

Pettitte: 13 wins (age will catch up with Andy but he will be steady for most of the season).

Mussina: 12 wins (I think Mike has lost quite a bit on the fastball and his early start was not that impressive, he worries me at this point)

Igawa: 12 wins (He will not be much above .500 due to his lack of control but will get some wins due to Yankees offense).

Rasner/Karstens, etc. etc. etc. (This 5th starter position will be a committe type position all year long. Rasner is not the answer and Karstens may replace him when he comes off the DL. Don't be surprised if Philip Hughes is in the Bronx in a month or two.)

The Yankees starting pitching does not look good after the first week of the season.

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After a dramatic walk off win on Saturday afternoon thanks to A-Rod, the Yankees couldn't provide the magic on Sunday afternoon in the Bronx.

Again, the starting pitching is woeful. We have not had a starter yet this season get past five innings. The Yankees jumped out to a 3-0 lead early thanks to another homer from A-Rod, but Darrell Rasner was victimized by the gopher ball. Kevin Millar hit a two run shot and light hitting catcher Paul Bako hit a three run shot later to put the Orioles ahead for good.

The Yankees defense continued its poor play. Robinson Cano dropped a routine pop up and as a result Miguel Tejajda reached second and later scored to put Baltimore ahead 6-3. The Yankees scored one more run and had runners on base but could not get the big hit.

The Bombers are 2-3 on the season and head to Minnesota for an ESPN game tonight. Luckily, they will miss Johan Santana in the series since he pitched yesterday.

Johnny Damon has returned in a pinch hitting role and looks decent running but Hideki Matsui was placed on the 15 day disabled list with a strained hamstring.

This is my weekly recap of the performance of the YanksBlog.com teams in the Yankees Bloggers Fantasy Baseball League.

Last Week

Ben (River Ave. Blues) didn't have any problem with my team, winning 7-3. This puts my team in 9th place.

Jennifer (NoSenseWorrying.com) defeated Seamus by the score of 6-3, putting him in 8th.

Finally, Joseph (River Ave. Blues) defeated James in a close one, 5-4, putting James in a tie for 6th place.

As you can see, it could have gone a lot better for both our teams and the Yankees this week. As a collective, we posted 3 losses by a combined score of 18-10.

This Week

Patrick (3-7-0) vs. Jennifer (NoSenseWorrying.com) (6-3-1).

Seamus (3-6-1) vs. Mike (River Ave. Blues) (9-1-0).

James (4-5-1) vs. E.J. (Pinstripe Potentials and Pending Pinstripes) (4-5-1).