New York Yankees: Offensive Explosion

The slumbering giant awoke in the Bronx last night, leading the Yankees to a lopsided 18-7 victory over the Texas Rangers.

The downpour of runs was more than twice the amount the Yankees could score their past four games.

Finally, Yankees fans could relax and enjoy a game, although no one knew what the outcome was to be for sure until the final third of the game.

Jason Giambi capped the night with a majestic grand slam in the third inning and finished the night with six RBI in all.

Bobby Abreu would end up getting two hits in five trips to the plate, driving in a pair of runs and scoring three on his own.

Alex Rodriguez would also play a large part in the game, hitting a three-run shot as part of a nine-run seventh inning.

In three official at-bats, A-Rod would end up with two hits, score four runs, drive in three, and walk twice.

That's production from the middle of the order.

In total, A-Rod and Giambi would combine for four hits in seven at-bats, driving in nine runs, and scoring six of them. That accounts for 15 of the Yankees' 18 runs last night being either scored or driven in by the two sluggers.

The new guy, Brett Gardner, finally recorded his first major league hit—an RBI single—and stole two bases for the Yanks. He looks extremely fast; a race between Gardner and Jose Reyes might be very interesting.

Check out Texas rookie Wandy Madrigal's ERA after his first Major League appearance—162.00. Ouch. How could the Rangers' management put the kid into his first Major League outing at Yankee Stadium in the seventh inning with merely a one run lead? That's just not right.

With the Boston Red Sox coming into town tonight, winning—and winning big—against Texas must be a little weight off the Yankees' shoulders.

New York must, however, win at least three out of its four games versus the reigning World Champions to even gain ground on them in the standings.

Boston comes in looking a little different than usual, without Big Papi David Ortiz hitting third in the order and without Mike Timlin coming out of the bullpen.

The Yankees are slated to have arguably their four best starting pitchers take the hill in these four games.

Pettitte (9-5) starts tonight against Jon Lester (6-3). Tomorrow Darrell Rasner (4-6) takes the hill against Josh Beckett (7-5). On Saturday it's Mike Mussina (10-6) against Justin Masterson (4-2). The series finale on Sunday will have Joba Chamberlain (2-2) go up against Tim Wakefield (5-6).

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