Yankees' flashback

Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter carried the Yanks to a 5-0, credibility enhancing, win over the impressive Rays at the Stadium Tuesday night. The old school champs showed the next generation "it ain't over till it's over." Pettitte pitched eight shutout innings and reminded us how he has a history of stepping up for big games. His mound opponent Scott Kazmir, had referred to the Bombers as "sort of desperate," they ain't dead yet, kid.

Derek Jeter reminded the army of Yankees' followers who have jumped off his bandwagon why he has four rings. A clutch two out double set the tone in the third putting two runs on the board. The captain put an exclamation point on the night by making a spectacular defensive play in the seventh that aborted a Ray's rally. Actions speak louder than words: "They can criticize me all they want," Jeter said. "I could care less. My job is to try to play defense, be consistent."
But could that play serve as a message to the critics?
"I guess you've got to ask the people who criticize me and maybe they'll write a different story," Jeter said. "Send them a tape."--LoHud

The Yankees played a "statement game" in the Bronx last night and their play put the upstart Rays on notice that the old guys will go down fighting. Three big wins have the Yanks back on their feet. Momentum gets the ultimate challenge today as Sidney Ponson takes the mound for the Bombers. Do you believe in miracles?

Notes:

• "Something worth paying attention to."--John Flaherty (YES.) Flaherty openly discussed a transition that the Yankees' brass is reluctant to acknowledge--Jose Molina is the unofficial starting catcher, routinely replacing a gimpy Jorge Posada. Half a season into a four year guaranteed contract, Posada's shoulder is a major issue that isn't going away. The good news is that Molina's defense, "is a weapon behind the plate...if you throw out 30 percent of runners trying to steal you're an above average catcher, Molina's 48 percent is sick."--Flaherty (paraphrased.) The bad news is that his anemic offense (lifetime: .240/.276/.340) is a major hole. A starting lineup featuring Gardner, Cabrera and Molina won't get it done.
• The Yankees' hype-machine is in overdrive trying to get Jason Giambi elected to the final All-Star spot. Let the ballot stuffing begin. Giambi continues to be a fan favorite despite all odds. Jason had an abysmal April, recovered with a prodigious May and settled into a mediocre June. His clutch numbers are poor. His defense is a liability. Tough lefty on the mound? Betemit at first, the Giambino takes a day off. But the bottom line is popularity is more relevant than production. Let's talk about the moustache.

Photo/NY Daily News, AP