Last night's performance by CC Sabathia is what the New York Yankees envisioned when they signed him in the off season to that 7 year $161 million deal. Overall, Sabathia has underperformed this year, coming into last night's game at 2-3 with a 3.94 ERA. The Yankees were only 3-4 in Sabathia's 7 starts.

But CC has begun to look like the pitcher who pitched the Milwaukee Brewers into the playoffs last season. After traded by the Cleveland Indians in mid-July, Sabathia went 11-2, 1.65 ERA with 7 complete games in 17 starts.

Sabathia has now had back to back victories for the first time this season, and has begun to improve his control and command. Many baseball people think control and command are the same thing, but that is not the case. Control is the ability to throw the ball over the plate for strikes, while command is CONTROL WITHIN THE STRIKE ZONE, when the pitcher can hit corners, throw up and in and locate low and away. Command is part of the mental aspect of pitching, keeping good composure while things are not going so well.

Sabathia now has his control and his command back. His first four starts this season recorded 5, 0, 5 and 4 walks respectively. Pitcher's can give up hits and they can allow walks, but they can't allow both in the same game. Although Sabathia walked four last night, one was intentional and the only walk which hurt was the lead off walk to Scott Rolen in the fifth, who came around to score on Rod Barajas' double. Sabathia was consistently hitting his spots and getting big outs when he needed them.

The key is that Sabathia has been on a reduced walk trend for the last four starts, translating to much improved pitching performances. In his prior three starts before last night, Sabathia allowed a combined two walks in 23.3 innings.

He also has been allowed to "be Sabathia," which is working out of his own jams and getting the opportunity to pitch deep into games, whether his "pitch count" warrants removal from the game. Give credit to Joe Girardi for letting Sabathia pitch 8 or more innings (including one complete game) in his last four starts.

Once again, who would you rather have pitching in the 7th or 8th innings during a big spot, CC Sabathia or an inconsistent middle reliever?

Give a veteran pitcher like Sabathia the opportunity to succeed and he will usually reward.

Sabathia appears to be back, and the Yankees are happy as they couldn't have held their breath any longer.