Roger Clemens had nasty stuff early on last night, but the evening turned out to be more of a grind than a breeze for the big guy. When the Rocket left, with two outs in the seventh inning, he had thrown 120 pitches. Clemens allowed two runs on seven hits before Gabe White and Mo Rivera closed the door with ease on the Tigers. Nick Johnson hit another dinger, Bernie Williams added his 12th of the year, and Jorge Posada added two RBI (91) to give the Bombers a 5-2 win. The Yankee lead over Boston now stands at four (the Sox had the night off and return home to face the White Sox tonight).

The game moved along at a brisk pace. During the seventh inning stretch, the Yankees played a video tribute in honor of 9.11. The video was characteristically maudlin, but what was truly chilling was the moment the presentation ended, the clock read 9:11.

The Yankees host Tampa Bay for four games at the Stadium starting tonight. Jeff Weaver will get a start in a day-night double header tomorrow.