Pavano Gets Some Respect

Yankees Cruise 8-2

Carl Pavano did what no Yankees starting pitcher had done so far this season- get past the 5th inning. Pavano was outstanding, throwing just 79 pitches in a 7 inning performance.

The Yankee bats gave Pavano plenty of support early. Jorge Posada's 2-run double highlighted a 3 run 1st inning. Then in the 2nd, Bobby Abreu smashed a long 2-run HR off of former Yankee (I cringe when I even think that he worn the pinstripes) Sidney Ponson. Abreu had 4 RBI on the night. Alex Rodriguez also kept his hot hand with a 2-run HR, increasing his major league leading totals to 5 HR and 13 RBI.

This was all about Pavano though. He was aggressive and it paid off with 1st pitch strikes. He gave up single runs in the 5th and 7th before turning things over to Brian Bruney and Kyle Farnsworth to finish it off. Pavano scattered 6 hits, while not walking a batter, and struck out two. The victory is also the 1st for a Yankees starter.

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Robinson Cano's 18 game hitting streak, including 5 games this season, came to an end on an 0-4 night.

Derek Jeter went 3-5 and has reached base safely in all 6 games.

Johnny Damon was back in the starting lineup for the first time since Opening Day and had a pair of hits (4 straight carrying over from his at-bats on Sunday).

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