Extra, Extra - Abreu Delivers As Yanks Win Another

NEW YORK  - Bobby Abreu hit a line drive double into the gap during the tenth inning, another nail bitter in the Bronx. On a hot Wednesday afternoon game against the AL East leading Rays, Abreu shines with a game-winning double as the Yankees won 2-1.

With his first walk off hit as a Yankee it couldn't come at a better time as Jeter hustled all the way from first to score.

The dugout poured out onto the field for the second time in four days as Yankees players hustled towards Abreu to mob him at second base.  Abreu was also drenched with Gatorade from teammate Robinson Cano while getting interviewed.

"This team has great chemistry right now and we are just finding ways to win," Abreu said during his on-field interview.

A game in which was followed by a Yankees win on Tuesday night against the Rays, the Yankees have won four straight after losing five of six.  They are now just 6 1/2 games back in the East after this two game sweep of the Rays.

Sidney Ponson was dominant as he went six strong with his only mistake being a game tying home run off of the bat of Carlos Pena in the sixth.

The Yankees had scored earlier with Jeter crossing home on a Giambi single in the first.  Oddly enough, the first 20,000 fans received a replica "Giambi Mustache" in hopes it would help with the AL final vote for the All-Star game.

The Rays standout rookie Evan Longoria is currently leading the votes over Jermaine Dye and Jason Giambi, while it is a close race, it looks like Longoria will take the spot, and he is deserving of it.

Edwin Jackson got the start for the Rays today and matched Ponson.  Both starters today recieved no decisions as this game was all tied up at one run a piece heading into extras.

Mariano Rivera pitched two scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth to secure the win for the Yankees. 

The Yankees had a big opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with Justin Christian on stole third with one out, but Melky Cabrera and Jose Molina couldn't get him in. 

Derek Jeter walked in the bottom of the tenth with one out and that's all the Yankees needed as Abreu ended it.

The Yankees are now 49-42 and remain in contention of the East and the Wild Card with a lot of baseball left to play.

They will take their show on the road before the mid-summer break as the All-Star game heads into the ballpark in the Bronx for its final season.

Due up for the Yankees is a make up game on Thursday night in PNC Park against the Pirates that was rained out earlier this season.  A game in which the Yankees were leading 3-1 on three first inning doubles, it was all erased with the game was called.

Mike Mussina (11-6, 3.64 ERA) who was snubbed of an All-Star spot has been great for the Yankees and he will get the start, opposing him will be Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm (5-5, 4.05 ERA).

After that, the Yankees go to the Rogers Centre in Toronto for a 3-game set against the Jays before the break.