-The Yanks made it four straight out of the break last night cruising to a 12-4 win over the Twins. It was their eighth consecutive victory at the Stadium and kept them on pace with the first place Rays and Red Sox, who both also won. The Bronx Bombers hit three home runs including No.21 from Alex Rodriguez- a two-run shot in the home first. Robinson Cano continued his second half revival clocking his eighth finishing with a couple of hits, a couple of runs and two knocked in raising his average to .260. Team captain Derek Jeter even belted a solo shot for his sixth also driving in a pair as the Yanks knocked around the Twins tying them in the wild card standings with each now 55-45. It all came in support of Sidney Ponson, who went five and two thirds of three-run ball walking and fanning a couple en route to his fifth win.

-In other team related news, Jorge Posada’s season could be done as the veteran catcher who’s been battling a rotator cuff problem all year might need to go under the knife which would end his season. If both he and outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui both have surgery, it would further hurt a lineup which has struggled this summer lacking consistency. Though they did get back valuable leadoff man Johnny Damon, who went 1-for-4 with a double and run scored last night. If Posada is out, Brian Cashman might need to explore picking up another backstop to backup Jose Molina. Add that to a long list of needs which include another big bat, a starter and a lefty reliever.

-The Mets and Phillies get ready for their three-game series which begins tonight at Shea with Johan Santana taking on newly acquired Joe Blanton. Both are tied atop the NL East a game ahead of the Marlins, who got shutout 4-0 last night by Atlanta. Not many have given the south Florida team a chance to win the division yet they continue to hang around with roughly 10 weeks to go. If they continue to stay afloat, that young ballclub could start believing they can shock many and pull this off. The lineup is certainly potent enough with big bats Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Jorge Cantu. The question is do they have enough pitching? We’ll find out if the organization is willing to do what it takes to win.

-Mets closer Billy Wagner underwent an MRI which showed that he has a muscle spasm in his left shoulder. He felt the tightness while warming up the other night to close out the Reds by K-ing the side. If he misses any time, expect Jerry Manuel to give the ball to Duaner Sanchez.

-Do we really need to know that A-Rod signed with William Morris agency for his off the field stuff? When is enough enough?

-I liked Jeremy Shockey as I’m a huge Hurricanes fan and enjoyed what he brought to the Giants. However, all the tight end’s childish antics got tiresome and that’s why he’s no longer playing in New York. They probably won’t miss him much in that locker room but it remains to be seen if that will be the case on the field when they begin their Super Bowl defense.