Freddy Garcia fires a shutout as the Yankees defeat the Rangers

The New York Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 today behind Freddy Garcia.  Garcia threw six shutout innings giving up two hits, he walked one and struck out one.  He hasn't pitched in so long and who could have expected this.  Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts, Rafael Soriano struggled in the eighth giving up a couple of runs but he was able to hold the lead and Mariano Rivera nailed down his sixth save in the ninth giving up a hit. 

Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira each hit two run homeruns.  Gustavo Molina made his first start and looked really good.  He didn't pick up a hit but hit the ball hard a couple of times and he was great behind the plate. 

Phil Hughes was placed on the 15 day DL with a tired arm yesterday.  Ivan Nova had his second shaky start in a row last night.  The Yankees really needed a good performance and you can't say enough about Garcia.  The Yankes have questions in their rotation but maybe the veterans Bartolo Colon and Garcia will provide stability to the back of the rotation. 

Lance Pendleton got to New York around 6:15 last night and that is a good story because he came into the game and threw three perfect innings.  It was his major league debut and one that he will really never forget, not that you forget it anyway.  He won't be available for a while but he is staying put as Hector Noesi can throw 100 pitches out of the bullpen.

The Yankees set an AL record and team record last night by grounding into six double plays.  It was amazing and frustrating all at the same time.  Curtis Granderson has hit three homeruns this season and they are all against lefties.  The work he did at the end of last year to change his swing worked and continues to show progress. 

Alex Rodriguez has reached base in all 12 games he has played this season.  He is on the AL leaderboard in almost every category.  He is second in batting average, first in runs, tied for fourth in in home runs, first in OBP and first in slugging percentage. 

Yankees relievers had held opponents to three earned runs over the last 20 innings they have pitched.  They have a combined 3.26 ERA this season.  Soriano didn't help today but Rivera and Chamberlain were outstanding as they have been all year.