Score: MIN @ NYY 5/16/09

NYY 6 MIN 4 F/11

Pitchers:
Nick Blackburn RHP Twins 7.2IP 6H 4ER 3BB 4K
He battled against a very tough Yankees lineup and pitched well enough to win until he let up the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning. He worked well mixing up his pitches, but was hit hard when he left pitches up and over the middle of the plate. He gave up a HR to Teixeira in the third off a FB. He had an solid outing, but couldn't get enough run support for the win. I still think he is a solid #3 right now and potential #2.

Joba Chamberlain RHP Yankees 6IP 3H 2ER 4BB 6K
He continues to flash Ace stuff, but has not yet harnessed his command issues. In order for him to live up to that Ace potential he needs to throw more strikes and not try to strike everyone out. The Yankees are hesitant to let him throw more than 110 pitches and with his command issues, he has only been able to throw more than 6 innings once. I am still high on him and believe he'll eventually mature into an Ace, but with his lack of command he is a #3 right now.

Position Players:
Mark Teixeira 1B Yankees 4-4 HR, 2B, 4RBI, BB
Teixeira has found his stroke and now that A-Rod is back he doesn't have to be the only run producer in the lineup.

Alex Rodriguez 3B Yankees 1-4 HR, 2RBI, BB
He hit a walk off two run HR in the bottom of the 11th inning off Craig Breslow. He looks comfortable at the plate and will put up big numbers this year with Teixeira, Damon and Jeter getting on base in front of him.

Joe Mauer C Twins 1-4, HR, RBI, BB
He is starting to develop some above average power that people thought he might never develop with his line drive swing. He hit a 420+ foot HR off of Chamberlain to dead CF in the 4th inning. He is the best hitting Catcher in the game today.

Justin Morneau 1B Twins 2-3 HR, RBI, 2BB
He hit a Second Deck HR in RF off a slider from Phil Coke in the 8th inning. He has a very short and compact stroke that stays in the zone for a long time. The combination of he and Mauer are among the best 3-4 hitters in the big leagues (Along with Teixeira and A-Rod).