June 7th versus Tampa Bay

Today's game was a big game, especially given the loss yesterday and the upcoming schedule versus the Sox and the Mets, two very good teams.  This win, the team's 20th come-from-behind victory, resulted from a quiet rally in the 8th, with the scoring plays being a walk with the bases loaded, and tow potential double play balls that could have ended the inning, one that was muffed by TB 3rd baseman Aybar, and the other Hideki Matsui legged out and beat the call at 1st.  I was particularly surprised by the Howell's walk of Robinson Cano to force in one run, and the fact that Hideki was able to beat the throw to first with his bad legs, and his lack of speed to begin with!  Good job for Aceves again, as he pitched a couple of solid innings, and Mariano was able to redeem himself after giving up the loss yesterday in the ninth.  Even Joba was good, except for his 6th inning, but still, not a bad start.  

The Yankees are really starting to develop a swagger and a great mentality going into each game.  Even in the game which they lost to Texas on Wednesday, it still never seemed like they were that far from the lead, and that at any moment, someone would step up and produce.  If they are able to maintain this chemistry and toughness, they could be a threat to beat anyone.  A big test coming up for the Yanks will be their upcoming series against the Red Sox.  So far, they are 0-5 against Boston, and if they are going to win the division, they have to do better than that.   If they can go .500 against Boston and the Mets, they will have done ok, because early next week, they have three games against the worst team in baseball, the Washington Nationals.  If they can win through this upcoming stretch, they can really be considered amongst baseball's elite teams.