Not Done Yet

After [celebrating their 13th consecutive postseason berth] late into the night on Wednesday, The New York Yankees rested many of their (hungover?) stars on Thursday. Even with a depleted lineup that lacked Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, however, the Pinstripers still [defeated Tampa Bay 3-1](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270927130&action=playvideo&hcmp=motion) and kept their slim hopes of capturing the AL East division championship alive.

Phil Hughes (pictured) pitched seven exceptional innings, allowing just one run and four hits while striking out five Devil Rays, and backup catcher Jose Molina had a two-run single in the seventh to lift the Yankees to the victory. Reliever and rookie phenom Joba Chamberlain pitched on consecutive days for the first time all season, showing that the Yankees are preparing him for the grind of October baseball and that the “Joba Rules” no longer apply. With [Boston’s loss] last night, New York now sits [two games behind](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings) the Red Sox with five games remaining in the season.

As for the playoffs, Joe Torre said Chien-Ming Wang would be his Game 1 starter, Andy Pettite would pitch Game 2 and Roger Clemens would take the hill in Game 3. The Yankees will almost certainly face the Cleveland Indians in the seven-day series, and Torre said both Wang and Pettite would both pitch twice if the series goes the full five games.