Shelley Duncan and Jorge Posada both homered en route to a 5-1 Bomber win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Phil Hughes and Phil Coke were both impressive in their outings, combining for four innings of one hit ball.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Gardner, CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200
Jeter, SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.167
Nunez, E, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Teixeira, 1B	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Ransom, 1B	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Rodriguez, A, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333
Bernier, 3B	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1.000
Cano, 2B	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.250
Berroa, 2B	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1.000
Nady, RF	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.500
Duncan, S, RF	1	1	1	3	0	0	0	.250
Posada, DH	2	1	2	2	0	0	0	1.000
a-Anson, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Molina, J, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Cervelli, C	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Cabrera, M, CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Curtis, LF	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Totals	30	5	7	5	0	6	3
a-Grounded out for Posada in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Nady (1, Abreu, W), Posada (1, Abreu, W). HR: Posada (1, 3rd inning off Orvella, 0 on, 0 out), Duncan, S (1, 7th inning off Medlock, 2 on, 0 out). TB: Teixeira; Bernier; Berroa; Nady 2; Duncan, S 4; Posada 6. RBI: Posada 2 (2), Duncan, S 3 (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M. GIDP: Rodriguez, A. Team LOB: 1. FIELDING Outfield assists: Curtis (Ensberg at 2nd base).

They sure don't look like a team that's been eliminated from playoff contention. The New York Yankees continued their recent winning ways, beating the Blue Jays 6-2 thanks to a Bobby Abreu grand slam in the top of the tenth inning.

Phil Hughes failed to earn his first win of the season, but was more concerned that the Yankees won;

"I really wanted to pitch well tonight," Hughes said. "A win would have been great, but we ended up winning the ball game, which is all that really matters. It would have been nice to get rid of that goose egg in my win column, but it is what it is. I'm just happy to pitch well."

The win is the Yankees seventh win in a row, something they hope will carry over into the 2009 season.

The famous saying goes, you can wish in one hand and crap in the other; see which one gets filled first. There is no bigger momentum killer than six month in between games, but in the meantime, Yankee fans can enjoy the rest of the season if they keep playing the way they have of late.

Phil Hughes, RHP (0-4, 7.96)
Yankees (86-71)
A.J. Burnett, RHP (18-10, 4.18)
Blue Jays (83-74)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Hughes will try again for his first victory of the season as he faces the Blue Jays in the second game of a three-game series at Rogers Centre. Hughes, who missed most of this season with a cracked rib, made his return to the big league level on Sept. 17 vs. the White Sox, allowing one run in four innings but running his pitch count to 89. He'll be facing Toronto for the first time since April 3, when he had a no-decision in a 3-2 Yankees win.

Blue Jays: Burnett received a no-decision against the Red Sox in his last start. The right-hander allowed three runs on eight hits over seven innings. He walked two, struck out six and exhausted a season-high 121 pitches. With only one start remaining this year, Burnett has already set a career high in wins (18), strikeouts (220) and innings pitched (213 1/3). In his career against the Yankees, Burnett is 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA.

Phil Hughes only pitched four innings, but those 89 pitches gave Yankee fans a reason to hope during the offseason. Hughes struck out four and allowed only one run (did not factor into the decision) as the Yankees beat the ChiSox, 5-1.

Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez each homered in the win, and Xavier Nady continued to provide timely hitting, driving in the game tying run in the seventh inning.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon LF	3	1	1	2	1	1	2	.308
B Gardner CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.185
D Jeter SS	4	0	0	0	0	1	3	.304
B Abreu RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.296
A Rodriguez 3B	3	2	1	1	1	2	0	.305
J Giambi 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	.250
C Ransom 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.348
X Nady DH	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	.278
R Cano 2B	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	.262
I Rodriguez C	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.279
M Cabrera CF-LF	3	1	1	0	0	0	3	.243
Totals	30	5	8	4	2	6	11
BATTING 2B: R Cano (31, C Richard) HR: J Damon (15, 8th inning off S Linebrink 1 on, 0 Out); A Rodriguez (35, 8th inning off S Linebrink 0 on, 2 Out) RBI: X Nady (34), J Damon 2 (66), A Rodriguez (101) 2-out RBI: X Nady, A Rodriguez GIDP: D Jeter, M Cabrera Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: D Jeter 1, I Rodriguez 1 Team LOB: 3
FIELDING DP: 1 (D Jeter-C Ransom).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
P Hughes	4.0	4	1	1	2	4	0	89-57	7.96
P Coke	2.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	28-19	0.00
B Bruney (W, 3-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6-5	2.03
J Chamberlain (H, 16)	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	10-8	2.53
E Ramirez	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	14-9	3.98
Totals	9.0	6	1	1	2	7	0	147-98
PITCHING Batters faced: P Hughes 18; P Coke 7; B Bruney 3; J Chamberlain 3; E Ramirez 3 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: P Hughes 3-5; P Coke 2-4; B Bruney 2-1; J Chamberlain 2-0; E Ramirez 1-0

Scoring Summary
			CHW	NYY
	3rd	J Dye grounded out to third, O Cabrera scored.	1	0
	7th	X Nady singled to center, A Rodriguez scored.	1	1
	7th	X Nady scored, R Cano to third on wild pitch by M MacDougal.	1	2
	8th	J Damon homered to right center, M Cabrera scored.	1	4
	8th	A Rodriguez homered to right.	1	5

Lance Broadway, RHP (1-0, 8.49)
White Sox (83-65)
Phil Hughes, RHP (0-4, 9.00)
Yankees (79-70)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: Ozzie Guillen was going to use Broadway on Sunday against the Tigers, but a series of rainouts made the right-hander unnecessary. Since no other starter will be available on Wednesday, Broadway is the likely to go. He has made one previous start this season, getting the win over Kansas City by allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings on Aug. 14, but he has not been nearly as effective pitching out of the bullpen, as his 8.49 ERA indicates.

Yankees: Hughes is likely to get the call on Wednesday as the Yankees play the third of four games with the White Sox. The right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday after helping to pitch his club to an International League championship, going 1-0 with an 0.69 ERA in postseason play. Hughes has not pitched in the big leagues since April 29 in Detroit, where he suffered a stress fracture in his ninth rib on the right side. He started against the White Sox on April 24 in Chicago but left after two innings due to rain.

White Plains, NY
by Chris Lima
River Avenue News

According to multiple sources, the New York Yankees might be able to find a little boost courtesy of some players making their way back from the disabled list.

As early as tomorrow, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi has hinted that injured outfielder Hideki Matsui may return to the lineup: (from MLB.com)

Matsui had 15 simulated at-bats on Sunday in Tampa, Fla., getting his early work in after playing in three games for the Class A Tampa Yankees.

With his left knee showing no signs of swelling, the Yankees are optimistic that Matsui -- out since June 22 with inflammation -- may be able to rejoin the big league club as it opens a six-game road trip on Tuesday at Toronto.

"It's a big bat to get back in the lineup," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Hideki has obviously been an integral part of this lineup the last four or five years. He'll be a welcome addition."

Matsui had 11 at-bats against right-handed pitching on Sunday and four against left-handers. He has logged eight total at-bats in game action for Tampa, stroking two hits -- including a home run -- and walking twice.

The Yankees have also hinted that a Saturday call-up may bring either Philip Hughes or Carl Pavano to help the back end of their rotation.

Hughes has been having mixed results while pitching for Scranton, recovering from a stress fracture in his rib cage. Pavano, finalizing the last year of his four year mega million bust deal, looks to salvage any shred of dignity he may have left.