A-Rod, Yankees Remain Hot Despite Injury Woes

NEW YORK - Without two of their regular starters for possibly the rest of the season, the Yankees aren't letting it bother them as they continue to win in the second half.

On Monday, the Yankees learned they could be without their regular catcher Jorge Posada for the rest of the season, as he landed on the DL again with shoulder problems.

Defensive wizard Jose Molina will take over as the regular catcher, but his bat could prove to be a big hole in the Yankees lineup.

They are already without Hideki Matsui with a swollen knee. Both players could opt for surgery, but that means they would have shut it down the rest of the year. The Yankees could make the decision an easy one for both players if they continue to win without them.

Yesterday the Yankees pounded out 12 runs, with three players connecting for home runs. Alex Rodriguez hit number 21 on the year with a long two-run shot into center. Later in the game, Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter connected on solo shots to right.

“We’ve been looking to score runs early and really try to deliver the knockout punch, something we haven’t really been very successful with this year,” Rodriguez said. “But hopefully this was a sign of things to come.”

Cano has been one of the hottest Yankees since the second half has begun with the Yankees winning four straight and are on their way to winning another series against the Twins.

“This is the team that we are,” said Cano, who is 10-for-19 with two home runs since the break. “Everybody contributes, and our pitching is great.”

Sidney Ponson got the win for the Yankees as he pitched five and two-thirds and surrendered three earned runs. He got plenty of support from the offense for his sixth win of the season.

Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn took the loss as he pitched the shortest outing of his career on Monday night. Blackburn only lasted one and two-thirds as he gave up six runs, three earned, including the Rodriguez home run in the first inning.

The Yankees were able to rest a few of their regular starters late in the game due to the big lead which could prove to be cruicial as tonights game is followed by a day game on Wednesday.

Tonight, Darrell Rasner (5-7, 4.97 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees. His last game against the Twins was on June 1 where he gave up four runs on eight hits as the Yankees lost 5-1.

Kevin Slowey (6-6, 4.26) will get the nod for the Twins after a 12 day rest. His last start was pushed back due to an infected fingernail. Slowey has given up 11 runs in his last two starts which could spell trouble for him at Yankee stadium as the Yankees are hitting the ball really well right now.

Tonight's game is one of the final two games the Twins will ever play in this stadium unless they meet the Yankees in the playoffs.

Following a day off on Thursday, the Yankees head to Fenway for a crucial three game series against the rival Boston Red Sox whom they currently trail in the Wild Card race.