Yanks Declaw Tigers

| 11 Nov 2014 | 01:42

    The New York Yankees entered the weekend on a three-game losing streak and with the Gotham media [proclaiming the apocalypse]. After receiving help from both likely and some unlikely sources, however, the Pinstripers tore off three straight wins against the Detroit Tigers and outscored their fellow Wild-Card competitors 20-6.

    Johnny Damon, mired in a season long slump, delivered three hits and the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning yesterday and Wilson Betemit—starting at shortstop while Derek Jeter received the day off—contributed four RBIs in a [9-3 victory] that capped the weekend sweep. The victories followed spectacular performances from Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens on Friday and Saturday, who ensured that the Yanks’ struggles ceased immediately. “We have guys who understand this is crunch time, guys who know how to flip the switch,” Damon said.

    While Johnny’s crazy for thinking the Yankees can simply flip a switch (actually, he’s crazy for many more reasons than that), Joe Torre’s squad [has crept within four] of Boston in the AL East and within one-half game of Seattle in the Wild Card-race. Let’s see if they can keep that switch turned on tonight though, as they [begin a three-game series](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=270820103) with the AL West-leading Anaheim Angels.