Instant Replay By August?

Buster Olney has the story, here. I think IR will help the game rather than hurt it. A lot of folks are complaining about the time aspect of it, but I doubt taking 5 minutes to review a disputed HR will make ballgames that much longer, especially if it’s worth it in the end.

Making Strides

Joba did his thing last night, although he didn’t have his strikeout pitch working, he was effective for 6 innings which allowed the bullpen to nail it down in the end. Jose Veras was great (2 IP, 3 K’s) and Kyle Farnsworth made things interesting in the 9th (Mo was resting), but a win is a win and the Yanks are 2 games over .500. Mike Mussina will square off against Wandy “Magic Wand” Rodriguez (who is stellar when pitching at home) and, hopefully, the team can continue to claw its way up the AL East mountain.

In other news, the Yankees have optioned Shelley Duncan to Triple-A and have recalled Alberto Gonzalez. Duncan needed to go down in order to get some regular playing time and he was terrible as a part-time player. At least Gonzalez gives the Yanks some defensive options in late ballgames.