1) Over at NYBaseballDigest.com Mike Silva remarked how the two-run single by Ramiro Pena was the key hit in the Yankees comeback last night. Another big play involving Pena was when he let a routine ground ball get through him at third (terribly scored a “hit”) in that Angels big 6th inning. That would have been the third out, and four more runs eventually scored.

Notice I "sponsor" Pena's page at www.baseballreference.com Click on his linked name above to see his page.

2) Girardi made a mistake but not allowing Mark Melancon start the 7thinning. He went with Jose Veras, who did not have it - once again. Unless Melancon was hurt in the tag attempt on Gary Matthews, Jr. in the 6th inning during the play at the plate.

Notice I "sponsor" Melancon's page at www.baseballreference.com Click on his linked name above to see his page.

3) Matthews, Jr. had a good day at the plate (3 for 4, 3B, 4 RBI’s) and I wonder, if he continues to hit this weekend, how long before Yankees fans (or Mike Silva) are screaming for the Yankees (or Mets) to “go get Matthews, Jr.”

4) Pena has now become “average” as last night’s effort at the plate boosted his OPS+ to the 100 mark - which is exactly what an average major league player would attain. While Pena is not a .333 hitter, if he does hit .250 and play his share of defense, he will remain with the Yankees for a few years. Make no mistake, though, unless and injury occurs, he will not be an everyday player for the Yankees - now of in the future.

What he will do, however, is become the utility guy when Alex Rodriguez returns this week, ending the fine Yankee run of Angel Berroa. Berroa has no place on this Yankee squad and should be released so he can find a team that needs someone of his skills. The Yankees have many utility types in their system and I would rather they use a Kevin Russo (in AAA) or Reegie Corona (at AA) as an additional utility type to back up Pena.

When Cody Ransom returns from his quad injury, it will be interesting to see how the Yankees handle the Pena/Ransom debate. Ransom should get the nod as he can play every infield position, and has more pop than Pena. Ransom’s deficiencies would not be as pronounced in a limited role as they were when he started at third base.

5) It is apparent that Mark Teixeira’s wrist is bothering him, and could be the reason for his April slump. As pointed out by many people, Tex is drawing his share of walks and his lead off walk last night started the Yankees winning rally.

But Tex’s job, especially with A-Rod out of the lineup, is to get hits and drive in runs. Drawing walks is all well and good, but a team needs hitters to drive in those runners. And Tex is not doing that job.

Lets hope his wrist injury is not similar to Derek Jeter’s wrist injury from last season which bothered him the entire season, causing reduced power production.

6) David Robertson was not used late in the game last night, with Girardi going to Jonathan Albaladejo instead. Good move by Girardi as Robertson was needed in case the game (at the time it was 9-8) went into extra innings. D-Rob has been able to give up to 3 innings during some games, something needed in an extra inning contest.

7) And what is with all the booing going on at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field? It really has to stop. Fans do have a right to boo if they wish, but is becoming silly and childish. Players should be booed because they do not hustle or give their all on the field. As fans, that is all we should ask.

Booing the players for going into slumps or not coming through in every clutch situation is very counter productive. It is just more pressure on the player to perform well, which will only increase the tailspin they are currently in.

Baseball is literally a “game of inches” with great concentration needed to play the game at a high level. Any extra bit of tension in a player and he will not perform up to his ability.

Booing Mark Teixeira of the Yankees and David Wright of the New York Mets is not going to help their situations. Just because a player is making a boatload of money (and on Tex’ case - a shipload), doesn’t mean they have the right to be booed after every play.

Maybe a little support when times are tough is what a player needs to break out.

In Wright’s case, if he continues to get booed for the next couple of years, you can be damned sure he will leave Queens after 2013 and go somewhere else to play - like down the Turnpike to Philadelphia where he can hit home runs in either of that cozy little stadium. 

You know, the defending World Series Champions.