The journey to the World Series and championship number 28 begins Friday evening in the Bronx. The Yankees will host Detroit in the best of five ALDS for the first two games Friday and Saturday evening.

In fact, the Yankees, even with a share of injuries to players, and with a suspect pitching staff went beyond expectations even if they had the highest payroll in baseball. Because they utilized veterans Freddie Garcia and Bartolo Colon, at the backend of a rotation, they got more than expected and with the ineffectiveness of A.J. Burnett, Garcia and Colon made a difference on the mound. Though Colon, in the second half, showed age and innings got to him and was not that effective.

Despite the outspoken objections from GM Brian Cashman about spending $43 million on the contract of bullpen set-up man Rafael Soriano, who sat out two months with a shoulder injury, the pen is one of the strong points that favor New York in October. In the end, Soriano in the pen makes the Yankees tough to beat in later innings that are close. Manager Joe Girardi can get seven innings from his starter, and it is a perfect set up getting to Mariano Rivera baseball’s all-time saves leader after he reached a milestone 602 save in mid September. And there is David Robertson the one-out specialist who leads all American League relievers in earned run average.

Robinson Cano had a MVP type season, the captain Derek Jeter achieved a milestone 3,000 career hit, showing no signs of an aging veteran, and Alex Rodriguez with knee, hip and thumb ailments is still a viable threat in the lineup. A potent lineup that once again led baseball in home runs, maybe attributed to the friendly confines of the new Yankee Stadium.

Regardless of how far they go, networks that televise the baseball post season, Fox and TBS, are thrilled that the Yankees are playing in October again and hope that they go deep and advance to another World Series. Because the Yankees are a vital cog to baseball network coverage when it comes to the ratings and revenue, and fans will watch because most of America has that anti Yankees approach. They like to see the second most expensive sports franchise go out the window early.

But an early exit for the Yankees may not happen. If their ace on the mound, CC Sabathia goes deep into the ballgame, the pen will take over. Rivera, who had some struggles, a 42-year old arm will do that from time-to-time, is considered the best post season reliever in baseball history. The rotation is set with the rookie Ivan Nova making more of an impression with every start. A.J. Burnett could come out of the pen and Phil Hughes, questionable for the first round, in September showed some side effects from a bad shoulder that sidelined him most of the season.

Yes, there are questions and a first round best of five with Detroit could be trouble for New York. There could be an eventual showdown with the Boston Red Sox, the adversaries and a team New York had constant struggles with again in 2011, that is, until the Red Sox had a late season collapse. But that showdown would be ideal for the networks because New York and Boston is the rival series in sports. A best of seven and who goes to the World Series will be a ratings bonanza.

But what defines the 2011 Yankees is their versatility and awareness once again that they came up short in 2010.  The veterans such as Jeter, Alex Rodriguez,  Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, as well as the manager Joe Girardi  know anything less than an appearance or winning of the World Series is a failure.

So the mission since leaving the field and losing to Texas in the ALCS last October was try and forget how close they got to defending championship number 27, and get number 28, back to the Bronx. Ownership, Cashman, Girardi and the Yankees believe they have the nucleus to do that, and saw a solid year from Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and possible MVP candidate Robinson Cano.

They may be older, this Yankees roster that begins the October part of their campaign, the second oldest in baseball. Though the wave of talented youngsters in the organization made some stops in the Bronx this season including rookie catcher Jesus Montero, considered one of their top prospects. And Eduardo Nunez, the 22-year old got a taste of the big club last season and is a versatile infield backup who filled in when Jeter and Rodriguez hit the disabled list.

Brett Gardner and Jeter, they get on base and what follows is a lot of runs scored again. In the end it comes down to that starting pitching. All in all, predicting the outcome of a short series in October is not easy. Good pitching will get you far in the post season.

But, will that pitching be enough for the Yankees to get championship number 28 and another parade down the Canyon of Heroes on Broadway? Time will tell as October baseball is here.

-email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

It was the continued strong pitching of starter Phil Hughes, and the consistent hitting of Robinson Cano that also continued, as the Yankees with four runs in the second inning never looked back and took the second game of a three-game series over the Baltimore Orioles 9-1.

Posada would reach base twice, drawing a walk and getting a single in the fifth. For the moment manager Joe Girardi has placed Posada in the designated hitter spot which posed the question:  Has Posada seen his last days as a catcher, or will he, return behind the plate when the doctors feel his foot has completely heeled?

“I would like George to catch again, I want him to catch again,” emphasized the Yankees manager. “I believe George has a lot of catching left.” In the meantime Posada has accepted his return to the lineup as a DH and it could be a permanent spot with Nick Johnson also disabled for the long run.

Girardi also likes to rotate that role with his lineup and having Posada’s bat back in the lineup is important, and as Girardi said, “We will do what we have to,” regarding keeping Posada healthy.

In the Yankees four-run second inning Posada had no trouble scoring from first on another two- run double from the hot bat of Robinson Cano who extended his American League high hitting streak to 16 games. Cano also hit a two-run home run, his 12^th of the season in the seventh inning and is batting .471 since May 17^th.

“Robbie has unbelievable hitting mechanics,” said Girardi about Cano. “When he hits the ball hard things happen,” he said about his second baseman who has evolved into one of the premier hitters in baseball.

Phil Hughes pitched seven innings, on six hits, striking out seven improving to 7-1. He admitted his curve was not effective but everything else was. Hughes has now held opponents with two earned runs or less in eight of his 10 starts this season.

“He’s been so, so good for us,” said Girardi about Hughes, one four pitches with most wins in the AL.  “He’s doing so many things right.” And if the pitching staff for the AL All-Star team was to be announced today, a team that Girardi will manage in July, Hughes according to Girardi would be on the team.

Prior to the game, Posada did not rule out catching again. He has been a good mentor to Francisco Cervelli who has done a bulk of the catching in his absence.  It was the fourth time in the last two years that he has been disabled.

“Tough to be a DH, it’s not an easy thing to do,” said Posada who commented afterwards that he wanted to test his foot and speed immediately when he got on base in the second inning. “Everything was fine. I’m in the lineup, that’s what matters,” he said.

And Girardi had nothing but praise for his veteran catcher. “Guy coming off a foot injury his first game back had to score from first,” he said. But is this role Posada will accept as the Yankees depend on his bat, realizing the veteran catcher is also 38- years of age.

“I’m going to do what is best for this organization,” commented Girardi when pressed about the issue regarding Posada. In the meantime, the Yankees go for the three-game sweep and fifth straight win Thursday afternoon in the Bronx with CC Sabathia (4-3) on the mound.

E=mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The two hottest hitters on the Yanks, Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher, combined to score the first two runs of the contest in the second. Cano led off the inning with an infield single and scored two pitches later as Swisher blasted his seventh homer of the month into the rightfield stands. After the contest, he commented on the scoring, “The good thing for us is we put some runs on the board and tacked on some more as the game went on. We’ve been scratching and clawing for runs lately.”

The two were also in the middle of the run-run Yankee sixth. After Mark Teixeira walked, Cano singled to center. Swisher followed with another single up the middle. Designated hitter Juan Miranda drew a bases loaded walk to score the first tally of the frame. The second run scored on a sacrifice fly to left by the next batter, Brett Gardner.

The first three Yankees batters reached base in the seventh. Derek Jeter beat out his second infield single of the game. Curtis Granderson, in his first game in the lineup since May 1, doubled to center. Teixeira drew a base on balls to load the sacks. Cano, the A.L. Player of the Month in April, started the month of May with a slump, but has again has been hitting torridly. Cano entered the contest with 15 hits in his last 36 official at bats. He continued the recent pace by driving in four runs with a grand slam to right.

Cano’s recent offensive performances have earned him the spot as clean-up hitter in the absence of Alex Rodriguez in the lineup on Friday. It was the first time in his Yankee career that Cano has batted fourth. After the homer, he remarked, “It’s good to feel what it’s like to be the clean-up hitter.”

The offensive onslaught was not the only Yankees change in its recent play. Starter Phil Hughes reverted to his early season excellence. After two less than impressive starts, Hughes began the game looking un-hittable. He struck out the first five batters he faced. He surrendered his first hit, a double by shortstop Jason Donald, with two out in the third.  Hughes gave up his first run of the game during a shaky fourth inning by Hughes. After retiring seven consecutive batters, Hughes gave up his second run on a lead-off homer by first baseman Russell Branyan in the seventh. His use of his off-speed pitches was quite effective. Yankees skipper Joe Girardi said, “He did a batter with his pitch count today…he was able to put people away.”

Each pitched six successful innings without surrendering a run. Takahashi exceeded his expected pitch count of 85 by throwing 101 pitches, 73 for strikes. He gave up five hits and walked one batter. He faced threats in only the third and fourth innings. He walked Francisco Cervelli to open the third. Kevin Russo followed with a single to center, his first Major League hit. Vazquez sacrificed the baserunners to second and third, but the Japanese born hurler retired the next two batters, Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner. The Yanks threatened again in the following inning. With one out Alex Rodriguez beat out a single and moved to third on a double by Robinson Cano. Takahashi, as in the previous inning, retired two batters to end the rally without a score.

After the contest, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi commented about Takahashi, “You have to tip your hat to their pitcher. He made some good pitches when he had to.” Jerry Manuel said of his starter, “He pitched very well. He’s in the rotation.”

Vazquez was even more impressive on the mound than his opponent. He did not give up his first hit until 4.1 innings had passed. Angel Pagan singled to center in the fifth, but was erased in a double play on the next play. The only other baserunner was Alex Cora, who walked in the first and fourth innings. Cora, in the first, was the only runner to remain on base at the conclusion of an inning pitched by Vazquez. He was thrown out trying to steal in the fourth.

Vazquez ended his time on the mound unexpectedly. In the top of the seventh, in his attempt to deliver a sacrifice but Vazquez was bruised above the right index finger. He successfully sacrificed, but when removing his batting glove in the dugout noticed his finger was bleeding. Vazquez spoke about the rare accident, “I’m pretty embarrassed because I’ve been doing these things for a long time in the National League, and this never happened.” Vazquez has more than 600 plate appearances in the majors. He has bunted for sacrifices 96 times, including the two on Friday. Vazquez was confident that he will not miss time because of the injury, “I’m pretty sure I’ll make my next start.”

He spoke optimistically to reporters about his improved work on the mound, “I feel pretty good, but I’m still working on some things. I’m making more quality pitches out there, especially the fast ball.” Vazquez has only given up two earned runs in his latest two starts, a total of 13 innings pitched. Mets manager Manuel credited him for a job well done, “He kept us off balance. He executed pitches when he had to. Javy had good stuff, and when you have good stuff you can stop the batting.”

The outcome was decided in the Yankees seventh. Swisher led off the inning with a single to center. A potential double-play ball hit by Cervelli was thrown away by second baseman Alex Cora. Russo hit a double to right for his first extra-base hit and first runs batted in as Major League player.

Russo, a 25 year-old native of West Babylon, thrilled his brother, niece and all the Yankees fans in attendance with his clutch batting heroics. After the game, he recounted his emotions, “The first hit was great, my first major league hit. The second hit at the end, it turned out to be the bigger hit so they were both great. I was just trying to get a run in. I knew it was a sacrifice fly opportunity and luckily I got that hit. I was just trying to drive in one run and luckily I got two. I’m just glad I could contribute and help out the team.”

The Yankee captain, Derek Jeter, was most responsible for the 6-4 victory on Friday night. Jeter led off the Yankees half of the first with a single to left. He moved to second after Mark Teixeira walked. He scored the first Yankee run of the evening after Alex Rodriguez doubled to cut the deficit to 3-1. A single by the red-hot Robinson Cano drove in Teixeira. In the top of the fifth, with the Yankees trailing, 4-2, Jeter tied the contest with a two-run homer. The game was knotted at four when Jeter came to the plate in the seventh frame. A long triple to right scored Francisco Cervelli and Brett Gardner. There was no further scoring by either team.

Jeter knocked in four runs and scored a fifth. Jeter netted three of the seven hits of the Yankees. Jeter’s hits moved him to first place in career number of base hits among active players. He surpassed the previous leader Ken Griffey, Jr. Last season, Jeter passed Lou Gehrig to become the Yanks career leader in hits. He is also the franchise leader in singles, hit by pitch and at bats, and is moving up the ladder in many other career categories.

After the contest, someone in the ballpark likened Jeter to God. The enthusiastic speaker was not a teenage girl, nor a member of Yankees management, but was the skipper of the Chicago White Sox, Ozzie Guillen. The baseball veteran did not mean his words to be sacrilegious but rather as compliment to the Yankee captain.

In response to a reporter’s query of whether Guillen had previously compared Jeter to the deity, the manager said, “Yes, I did. He is God all the time. It’s fun to watch him play the game. He’s the number one ambassador in this game. The guy always has good looking women around him too. I mean, God bless him.” Of Jeter’s homer off starter Freddy Garcia, Guillen commented, “Jeter got him, but Jeter’s a professional hitter.”

The Yankees’ 12-3 win on Sunday afternoon was an old-fashioned slugfest. Despite the absence of Alex Rodriguez, resting, and Curtis Granderson, placed on the DL on Saturday the Yankee bats were extremely active on Sunday. Six Yankees, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada and Brett Gardner, had multi-hit games. The first Yankee run was scored in the second as Cano doubled to lead-off the inning and was driven in by a two-out single by Gardner. Each of the two also homered later in the game. Gardner hit a 3-3 pitch into the right field stands for his first round tripper of the year in the fourth.

He jokingly told reporters after the game, “Now I know how other guys feel when they hit them like that. That’s not my game.” The homer was Gardner’s first since June 26, 2009.  The outfielder is batting an impressive .342. One who is not surprised by Gardner’s productivity is manager Joe Girardi. After the game, he observed, “I’ve always thought of him [Gardner] as an everyday player. I love what he brings to the table.” The pitchers like him as well, Sunday’s starter, Phil Hughes, stated, “He’s [Gardner’s] been great. He tracks down everything in the outfield. Every time he’s on first, he seems to steal second.”

Cano’s three run homer in the fifth was the second baseman’s fifth of the young season. Cano’s .387 batting average ranks first in the majors and he is especially hot at the plate right now. Cano has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games with an average of .455 during that period. Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer in the sixth, his second straight game with a round tripper. He also singled twice. Mark Teixeira is obviously aware of the calendar. After his usual slow start in April, Teixeira’s bat has awakened this month. During the first month of the season, Teixeira only managed to hit safely 11 times. During the first two contests in May, Teixeira has six hits, two on May 1 and four on May 2.

In addition to the team’s fine hitting, four of its five starters are doing excellently. Phil Hughes earned his third victory by hurling seven innings of shutout ball. He gave up only four hits and a walk to lower his ERA to 1.44. Manager Girardi commented, “It’s hard to say that Hughes hasn’t done everything right for us. He’s doing everything you can ask of him.”

It was very obvious the moment King James set foot on the Madison Square Garden for his first and only visit this year, MSG is really where he wants to be. From the very first quarter, LeBron went out of his way have his own victory parade on his own. He started out a first quarter the way Michael Jordan started out his own first in the infamous “Double Nickel” back in 1995.

“LeBron’s first eight minutes were ridiculous,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “A freight train coming at you.”

The Knicks could have had six men on the court and they were not going to stop LeBron’s special night. Normally not a great jump shooter, James was fading away and hitting wet jumpers that would make Larry Bird proud. There was no other way to say it but LeBron was in the “zone”! He would score 19 first quarter points and also contribute six assists.  James capped the quarter by faking out Jared Jeffries at the perimeter and drained a three pointer that everyone in the building knew it was going in.

Could it have been more ironic that LeBron’s favorite baseball, the Yankees, were sitting courtside still feeling the high of their World Series victory. Right after the first quarter ended, the Garden acknowledged the presence of  Alex Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Joba Chamberlain, Melky Cabrera, and Robinson Cano. As they made their way to center court to wave to the adoring New York crowd, who do you think was among the crowd who gave the Yankees a standing ovation?  Of course, none other King Janes who had as a big smile as a little kid at the candy store. He would not have wanted to be any other place in the world than Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

He was swishing jumpers, driving to the basket like a monster, and providing his teammates with the most beautiful no look passes you will ever see. As he sat down for the first half of the second quarter, LeBron was celebrating anytime his team scored a basket. He was dancing to any hip hop song that came on and was seen talking to many friends in the crowd. It’s nice to be the King, ain’t it?

This night was not about the pathetic Knicks who were easily defeated by Cleveland 100-91. It’s about the dream scenario about what would happen if New York ever had the NBA’s best player. As great as Partick Ewing was for his career, he was near at the top as one of the top players in the NBA. LeBron would easily take the cake as the greatest player ever to put on a Knicks uniform.

If that was not enough, LeBron went out of his way to talk to Knicks second year forward, Daniilo Gallinari. Gallinari, who never met James before, has shown flashes of brilliance so far this season that has caught the attention of James. He scored 17 points last night and has made Donnie Walsh look pretty good in making him the 6th pick in the 2008 draft.

“He just told me to keep working hard and keep taking care of my back with stretching,” Gallinari said. “He’s a great guy, great person. We talked before the game and after the game.”

It’s a pretty good indication that New York is in his radar because Danillo could be that guy LeBron needs to win a title in New York . To have never talked to the young Gallinari before last night can only be a good thing for Donnie Walsh.

But first things first, the fans still have 76 more games to go before this looming nightmare Knicks season is over. But the dream is not far from reality!

The New York Yankees are World Champions again, and after Robinson Cano made the putout to Mark Teixeira at first that ended the Philadelphia Phillies one year reign as champions the celebration began. The Yankees after a 7-3 win over the Phillies, in their billion dollar ballpark gave their gift to the boss who made it happen.

“The Yankees won,” said team president Randy Levine on the field and moments later in a victorious clubhouse that was wilder than the 26^th Yankees championship in 2000, their last one when they beat the cross-town Mets. So Levine wasn’t kidding when he said, “The world is right again.”  Levine, instrumental in getting a new stadium for the Yankees was also proud that the Yankees won it for New York and people of the Bronx.

Because to the Yankees, it isn’t right unless they win a World Series and they did it by spending money again. Though one Yankee fan outside the press gate felt that that the spending habits of the Yankees is not the way to do it bringing in the players, a half billion dollars worth of talent this season in pitchers CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and a hitter and defensive first baseman like Teixeira.

Regardless of what that fan was saying, these Yankees set out to accomplish what they had to do when they assembled in spring training back in February.  Every word in that champagne celebration, in the early hours of Thursday morning, conveyed a message to the boss.

Thank you, the players said for putting us together. For bringing the brilliant arm of Sabathia to the Bronx and for signing pitcher Andy Pettitte again, 2-0 in this World Series, a record 18 postseason wins and now a world champion for the fifth time along with other members of the core, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera.

Pettitte would become the first pitcher in history to start and win all three clinching games in a single season postseason, the ALDS, ALCS and the World Series. Jeter would go 3-for-5, his second three-hit game of this World Series and Rivera pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in four appearances.

“It feels better than I remember it, man,” said Jeter about being world champs again after a nine year hiatus as to being called the best. The Yankees came close as they continued to struggle over that span while spending money, but it came together in May when Alex Rodriguez returned from hip surgery.

It came together with a healthier Hideki Matsui, though playing with two bad knees. Matsui, along with Rodriguez got their first world championship. They too thanked the boss, general manager Brian Cashman and of course the manager Joe Girardi.

“My teammates, coaches, and the organization stayed by me,”’ said Rodriguez who finally became a true Yankee, his first championship with a memorable postseason setting a franchise record with 18 runs batted in. “And now we stand here as world champions,” he said.

Matsui, designated hitter for a majority of the season was named the Series Most Valuable Player the first Japanese player to do so, also the first DH to get that accomplishment.  He made a statement as to the Yankees renewing his contract next season going 3-for 4 with a double, homer, and a World Series record tying six runs batted in and batted .615 with three homers and 8 runs batted in six games.

“No, I have no idea right now,” commented Matsui when asked about next year. “Certainly it’s been a long road and a long journey,” he said about reaching the pinnacle of being with a championship team after a successful career in Japan. “I’m just happy that after all these years we were able to win and reach the goal that I had come here for.”

So eight years to the day, November 4^th 2001, the first time the Series was played that late, the Yankees lost to Arizona in seven games, they are champions this time. And it was a total team effort.

It was also the leadership of Girardi, wearing number 27 to signify what he wanted to achieve. When he took on the managerial responsibilities in his first and disappointing season of last year, when the Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons.

“This is what the Steinbrenner family has strived for year after year, said Girardi. “George Steinbrenner and his family are champions. To be able to deliver this to the Boss, this stadium that he created and the atmosphere he has created around here is very gratifying for all of us.”

And now Girardi becomes the first manager to play and manage with the same team to a World Championship since Billy Martin guided the Yankees in the 1977 world title. ”The joys is the same, but it is different type of joy,” he said.   As a player its what you dream about ever since you were a little boy, and for me it was listening to Curt Gowdy and do all the World Series games.”

And for Girardi there was more satisfaction with the efforts of players who contributed during the course of a long season. Pitcher Sergio Mitre who filled in nicely as a number four starter when Chein-Ming Wang was shut down for the season and infielder Ramiro Pena brought up form Triple A.

They, too were tasting the champagne and on Friday morning will be a part of their first victory parade down the ”Canyon of Heroes” on Broadway. Girardi said all along it was the contributions of every player as we saw in this World Series. Damaso Marte, who struggled with arm problems, had his best pitches out of the pen in the six games against the Phillies.

“It’s an honor to win a championship with those guys,” said Teixeira about Rivera, Jeter, Posada and Pettitte. “It’s my first championship and their fifth, they are Yankee legends.”  On top of the Baseball world again are the Yankees and now Girardi may be looking at wearing uniform number 28.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

Lee had the confidence with a good slider, an effective changeup and his usual good fastball and limited the Yankees to six hits, striking out 10 and issuing one walk. In his World Series debut, Lee got his third win in the postseason and lowered his ERA to 0.54, the seventh lowest all-time in postseason play among pitchers with at least 20.0 innings.

More importantly, Lee showed no signs of being nervous and now the Yankees are faced with trying to even the series at home Thursday evening, facing another lefthander, the familiar face of Pedro Martinez. It is the first time this postseason that the Yankees trail in a series.

“Game time is the time go out there and have fun and let your skills take over,” commented Lee who was acquired by the Phillies from Cleveland before the trading deadline on July 29^th. And his acquisition could be a major reason why the Phillies are in position to win consecutive World Series titles.

Sabathia got off to a slow start and got out of a bases loaded situation in the first inning on a misty and cold night in the Bronx. The Yankees, back in the Fall Classic after a six year absence knew they would expect Lee to be on his game. Sabathia also threw two  solo home run balls to Chase Utley who became the second left handed batter in World Series history to hit two home runs off a lefthander pitcher in one game.

“It’s kind of weird,” said Lee about his performance that had the record new Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,207 come to a hush when he constantly retired the powerful bats in the Yankees lineup. “Boils down to confidence and trusting your teammates,” he said.

Lee’s 10 strikeouts were the most by a pitcher in a World Series game since Florida’s Josh Beckett fanned 10 on October 21, 2003 in game 3 when the Yankees opposed Florida. “He kept us off balance,” said Yankee manager Joe Girardi about Lee. “He got us to chase some pitches when we were down in the count, up in the zone. He used his cutter very well. He used his curveball very well.”

The Yankees seemed to be frustrated, though Girardi downplayed that thought. “As far as  being frustrated, our guys will grind it out,” he said. I’m not concerned about that” The only concern may be how the Yankees bounce back Thursday evening when A.J. Burnett takes the mound.  Girardi also said he would also contemplate keeping catcher Jorge Posada in the lineup instead of inserting Joe Molina who usually is in there when Burnett is on the mound.

“He mixes it up,” said the Yankees Derek Jeter about the variety of pitches that Lee throws. Jeter had some success with three hits, including a single in the ninth inning that for a moment had Yankees fans thinking of another ninth inning comeback that was such a trademark of their season.

As for game two being classified as critical for New York Jeter said, “Critical they’re all critical now. As you go further in the postseason the games get tougher, so does the pitching.” And Jeter should know about the importance of winning the first game. He is playing in his seventh World Series all as a Yankee.

“We definitely don’t like this situation,” said Johnny Damon. “We can’t lose three more,” he said about the urgency now for the Yankees to take game two, If the Yankees don’t prevail Thursday evening it makes things that moiré difficult because the Series shifts to Philadelphia for the next three games.

These are the Yankees and everyone expects them to rebound with Burnett on the mound. Not that Sabathia had an off night in losing his first game this postseason, after going 3-0, his first loss as a starter in the World Series.  Of his four hits in seven innings, two were the home runs hit by Utley and he struck out six,

“I was just trying to get my fastball over the plate and missed my location,” said Sabathia about the pitches thrown to Utley in the third and sixth innings, which was enough run support for Lee.  As for any panic after a game one loss Sabathia said, “This is a pretty good team and veteran clubhouse. We know what is at stake.”

Rodriguez had a horrible World Series debut and made no excuses. Lee was that good. “When a guy comes out like that, you tip your hat and go on,” he said about Lee. “He made some pretty good pitches.” Philadelphia got the first draw, their first win over the Yankees in World Series play having been swept by the Bronx Bombers in their previous World Series meeting back in 1950.

And drama in game two with Pedro Martinez on the mound for the Phillies and hearing the taunts of Yankee fans at the new stadium. “It’s all just being fans,” said Martinez Wednesday about his return to the Bronx and pitching again in New York, “I have all the respect in the world for the way they enjoy being fans,” he said.

And for the Yankees they hope they can enjoy some of Pedro’s pitches. If not the Phillies could be that much closer to becoming the first team since the Yankees to repeat as champions.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

And this eight-game winning streak is coming with hits and plenty of runs.

Once again the home run bats of the Yankees produced the runs they needed and nine of their hits were three more long balls. The second inning home runs staked the Yankees to a 3-0 lead that helped starting pitcher Phil Hughes at the time who got the win.

The home runs came in three consecutive at bats from Nick Swisher his ninth and first one at home in the new Stadium. Robinson Cano got his 7^th and Melky Cabrera hit one deep to right for his fifth of the season. Swisher hit a fastball, Cano a changeup and Cabrera a curve which made the home run inning that more interesting and all were hit to right field which has become a Yankees home run alley.

“Its baseball and you start to get a good feeling of yourself when you walk in the clubhouse,” commented manager Joe Girardi about the winning streak and attitude of his Yankees. The streak started with a Yankees 8-2 win on their last road trip up in Toronto.

All the home runs came off Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-4) who now has given up an American League leading 11 home runs. “We got within good striking distance but the real bugaboo was the big inning that they put up in the end, more so the home runs,” said Orioles manager Dave Trembley.

The Yankees at their new home in the Bronx are coming accustomed to hitting the long ball. The three home runs in an inning was the 11^th time in franchise history that was accomplished and first since June 21 of 2005 vs. Tampa Bay  and the team took over the AL lead in that category with 64.

The combined six home runs hit by the Yankees and Orioles now have provided a total of 71 home runs hit at the new Yankee Stadium in the fist seven weeks of the season.

A six run eighth inning where the Yankees batted around made it easier for Mariano Rivera to register his first save of more than one inning this season, his 8^th. “And for Hughes, who had his best stuff of the season the early run support was a relief.

“When you get run support it’s a lot easier to pitch,” said Hughes who impressed Girardi enough and will make the Yankees warrant some decisions with injured pitcher Chien-Meng Wang due back from injury soon.

Hughes gave way to Phil Coke and Alfredo Aceves out of the pen who pitched scoreless ball.  Mariano Rivera recorded a four-out save his 8th of the season and gave up a run to Nolan Reimold, the first of his career.

The Yankees look to sweep the three game series in the Bronx Thursday evening. Joba Chamberlain (2-1) will make the start for New York opposing (2-4) Adam Eaton of the Orioles..