The Melk Man Delivers

For the first time in fourteen years, a Yankee player hit for the cycle. No it wasn't Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter, but 24 year old outfielder Melky Cabrera. Melky's career day helped the Yankees beat the White Sox 8-5, and they leave Chicago with at least one win in their four game series.

Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the second to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead, doubled in the fourth and chased Mark Buehrle (11-5) with an RBI single in the fifth. He then tripled to right leading off the ninth against Scott Linebrink, driving the ball over Jermaine Dye's head, and motoring around second before sliding safely into third. The cycle was the first by a Yankee since Tony Fernandez did it against Oakland on Sept. 3, 1995.

I'm very happy for Melky, who at .292, 10 homeruns, and 40 RBI's is having his best season in his fourth year with the Yankees. Yes he is only a fourth outfielder, but he has been an integral part of the Yankees success this year, with a number of big hits in late inning situations. He was the subject of trade rumours two years ago in the Johan Santana sweepstakes, but Brian Cashman decided to hold onto the switch-hitter. Melky has been working very hard this year with hitting coach Kevin Long on batting from the right side. The work is paying dividends, as Melky is batting .284 righty, as opposed to a career .252 average coming into the season.

Melky's career day isn't the only thing to take away from this game. Each Yankee starter had a hit, including two from Jeter, Nick Swisher, and newcomer Jerry Hairston Jr., who also played a nice third base today with Rodriguez the DH. Yankee fans also have to like that after blowing a 3-0 lead to go down 4-3 in the third, the Yankees responded with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings respectively.

This game never turned into the pitcher's duel that it seemed it would be between Buehrle and C.C Sabathia. Staked to the early lead after Cabrera's 10th homer, Sabathia quickly gave it back in a four-run third when Jermaine Dye hit a two-run shot and Jim Thome followed with his 559th home run. He battled though, tossing seven innings of five run ball with five strikeouts and no walks. He earned the win, his team leading 11th of the season. Buehrle was far from effective let alone perfect in his first start at U.S. Cellular Field since that perfect game against Tampa Bay on July 23. This time, he allowed seven runs and 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings after teasing another historic performance in his previous start against Minnesota. Mariano Rivera picked up his 30th save in 31 chances. Mo has been unconscious lately - he hasn't allowed a run since June 12th. At 39 years old, there is still no question Rivera is still the best closer in baseball.

The Yankees unfortuantely do not gain any ground with this win. With a final score that looked like a football game, the Red Sox defeated the Orioles 18-10, to remain a 1/2 game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. For the first time since the All-Star Break, New York has a day off tomorrow, before going to Toronto for two on Tuesday. That game features a great pitcher's matchup between Andy Pettitte (8-6), and ace Roy Halladay (11-4).

(AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh)