Yankees rout the Athletics

The New York yankees routed the Oakland Athletics tonight by the score of 17-7.  They had a 4-4 road trip and after the All Star Break so it felt like forever since they have been home.  I guess the Yankees really like being home.  Phil Hughes started and although he had all that run support he didn't pitch well at all, he couldn't even make it out of the fifth inning to earn a win.  Hector Noesi pitched well in relief and earned his second win of the season.  Noesi has pitched very well as the long man out of the bullpen.  Luis Ayala pitched a perfect inning to close out the game, he has the fifth lowest ERA of all relievers in the league, Dave Robertson is second. 

Mark Teixeira had a grand slam, Nick Swisher had a three run homerun and tied a career high with five RBI.  The Yankees had their single inning  highest output of the season with a nine spot in the third inning.  Derek Jeter had a couple of hits and took over sole possession of 25th place on the all-time hits list.  Brandon Laird had his first hit, RBI and walk of his major league career. 

The Yankees have now won 11 straight against the Athletics.  The two teams will meet tomorrow afternoon in the heat, tonight the first pitch temperature was 100, I could only imagine during the day how that will be.  A.J. Burnett will face off against Rich Harden.  Harden is a veteran, but he just can't stay healthy, he has had some success in his career when he pitches.  The Yankees remain two games back of the Boston Red Sox in the AL east.  They are 5 1/2 games ahead of the Anaheim Angels and 6 1/2 ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for the wild card.