Progress for Hughes & Jeter, But Logan & Mitre Blow It

First, the good news: Phil Hughes pitched well enough to win for 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, throwing 87 pitches, 57 of them for strikes. Derek Jeter doubled for his 2,997th career hit. Luis Ayala pitched well in relief. And the Yanks scored 3 runs in the 9th.

Now for the bad news: Justin Masterson was, well, masterful for the Cleveland Indians, holding the Yankees scoreless on 3 hits over 8 innings. And if Boone Logan didn't suck and if Sergio Mitre weren't completely useless, the Yankees might now have allowed 3 runs that made the difference in this game.

Indians 5, Yankees 3. The Tribe take 2 out of 3 in this series.

WP: Masterson (7-6). SV: Chris Perez (21). LP: Hughes (0-2), though it wasn't his fault (much).

Tomorrow, the Yankees return home to play 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays, then close up shop for the All-Star Break. We are just half a game ahead of The Scum, but one in the loss column. The Rays are 3 1/2 back (5), and the Orioles and Blue Jays are so far back it doesn't matter.

The New York Red Bulls crushed Toronto FC tonight, 5-0 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison. Thierry Henry, Luke Rodgers and Joel Lindpere scored, and Juan Agudelo scored twice. Apparently, Toronto is as good at playing soccer as they are at coming up with a name for their soccer team.

Next up for the Red Bulls: DC United on Saturday, the team their fans think is their arch-rival, when a true New York/New Jersey sports fan knows that New England is always our rival.

Jeter hits 2997 3
Rivera saves 580 21
A-Rod homers 626 137
A-Rod hits 2762 238
Magic Number 77 (to eliminate Scum, 72 for Rays, 65 for O's & Jays)