The Yankee offense broke out for seven runs in the fourth inning against the Blue Jays tonight. Ichiro led the way. He hit a solo homer in his first at bat and then in the fourth slapped a double to put the Yanks ahead 3-2. By the end of the inning, Nick Swisher had hit a grand slam and it looked like the Yanks would finally enjoy a laugher.

Not so fast. Phil Hughes wasn’t all that good despite striking out nine hitters. He walked three and gave up four runs over five. A few innings later, Corey Wade took a dump on the mound–the poor bastard, we won’t likely see him again–giving up a home run and then allowing two more base runners, who both came around to score after Joba Chamberlain replaced Wade (infield hit, ground out). Adam Lind just got under a fastball from Joba to end the inning. If he’d squared it up the game would’ve been tied. Then again, if a frog had wings he wouldn’t bump his ass a hoppin’.

Still, the score  was 10-7 and both Dave Robertson and Rafael Soriano were forced to get loose in the Yankee bullpen. What could have been a relaxing night turned into a tense one. But we’re used to that. The game moved along slowly, the elation of the fourth inning faded, boredom offset by aggravation.

It was Robertson in the ninth, the Hammer struck out the side, and the Yanks moved a full game ahead of the Orioles with thirteen remaining.

Final Score: Yanks 10, Jays 7.

[Featured Drawing by Frank Miller]