Johnny On The Spot
The New York Yankees probably wont catch the first-place Boston Red Sox in the AL East, but [last nights 5-3] win over their archrivals at least propelled them one step closer to the playoffs. Ol Reliable Andy Pettitie pitched seven strong innings and improved to 6-0 this month, and Johnny Damon (pictured) snapped a 3-3 tie in the seventh with a two-run homer that just barely cleared the short porch in right field and just barely stayed fair. It counts, so I guess thats all that matters, Damon said.
Captain Derek Jeter also homered for the Bronx Bombers, who [inched within one game] of floundering Seattle in the Wild Card race. Pettittes solid performance came one night after fellow veteran pitcher and teammate [Mike Mussina got pummeled](http://www.nypress.com/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=53635269) for the third consecutive start, and on the same night manager Joe Torre told Mussina much-hyped prospect Ian Kennedy will [replace him in the rotation](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2995554).
The Yankees hope to take [another step toward a post-season berth] tonight, when Torre hands the ball to Roger Clemens to battle Bostons best hurler, Josh Beckett, live on ESPN2 at 7:05 p.m. Cancel all your other plans, this should be a good one.