Yankees Postgame Notes after a win in Texas

The New York Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers 4-1 last night.  The Yankees ended their longest losing streak of the season at three.  Ivan Nova started and pitched great, he had the longest outing of his career with 7 1/3 innings.  He allowed two hits and one run which was unearned.  He struck out one and walked one but induced lots of groundball outs and was better then he has been if not in his brief career then definitely this year.  Curtis Granderson continues to be a completely different player then he was for most of last season.  He made some changes in his swing in August and since then has been great.  There are only two other players in baseball who have hit more homeruns since then and he leads the AL this year with 10.  Granderson hit two of them last night.  Here are some notes from the postgame. 

Nova started off the year badly but in his last three outings he matched his career high in longest outing and then broke it last night.  He seems to be getting more and more confidence each time out and looks like he is going to be a solid major league starter.  The one thing that he does have is a confidence to him and he isn't afraid of anything.  Joe Girardi said "He showed me work ethic and confidence."  He said it isn't easy for a young player especially in New York but he showed a lot of fight and has come through it.  Russell Martin continues to get a lot of the credit also, he has been great offensively and defensively and has handled this pitching staff so well.  It isn't easy to switch leagues and come to a new team and learn all the pitchers and handle them this well.  Martin also dealt with a lot of them in spring training because the Yankees had two jobs up for grabs. 

Interesting situation after the game with Jorge Posada going to Joe Girardi and thanking him for sticking with him.  Posada and Girardi have never really been that close and Posada has struggled with his new role as the DH.  He is still hitting under 200 although his power numbers are pretty good.  Girardi assured him that he hasn't lost faith in him and he isn't in danger of coming out of the lineup.  It is interesting that with all the stuff flying around about Derek Jeter that Posada did this.  You have to wonder if he will go to Jeter and give him some advice. 

Nick Swisher was in the original lineup but was scratched due to being sick.  Girardi said he hopes he will be in the lineup tonight.  I would think Granderson plays against a lefty tonight but Girardi said he will have to see how he feels.  Girardi won't go against him if he says he can play because of the way he has been hitting this year. 

The Yankees and Rangers will play game two tonight at 8:05 with Bartolo Colon facing Derek Holland.  The game will be on the YES Network.  Enjoy the afternoon and the game tonight everyone.