Yankees Streak to Six

Don’t look now, but the Yankees are winning again. Friday night they dispatched the Indians 5-4 and currently sit in second place, 3 1/2 games behind the disgruntled Boston Red Sox. Friday’s victory was due to solid, but not spectacular pitching from rookie, Chien-Ming Wang. Wang raised his record to 6-3 and has become an integral part of this team. With Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright all on the disabled list, the Yankees will be counting on Wang heavily in the second half of the season.

Melky Cabrera, the newest rookie playing for the Yankees, got two hits while scoring a run. Cabrera, who has a total of nine games of experience above AA ball, has been brought up for his defense, but he seems to be comfortable at the plate as well. With Wang, Cabrera and Cano all being asked to contribute now, the Yankees have their first real youth movement since 1996. The question is, will they stick with them when they inevitably struggle as all rookies do?

The Yankees finish the first half of the season with two more games against Cleveland. Saturday is Old Timer’s Day and the Yankees will be starting the newly acquired, Darrell May. Gothamist would prefer a combination of Ford, Guidry, Gossage and Righetti. Randy Johnson will close out the series on Sunday.

Photo by Bill Kostroun/AP via ESPN.com