YANKEES CLINCH! DIVISION TITLE NEXT!

Today was pretty exciting. The game itself was slow going because James Shields was very very good today. In fact, he was dynamite. Finally, after the 7^th inning, things changed. The Yankees had 1 run until Eduardo Nunez cranked out a homer to tie it up.

Then , in the bottom of the ninth, Robinson Cano knocked a 2 run double to bring the Yankees ahead 4-2. But let me back up. If Brett Gardner didn’t slash that opposite field single to start off that inning and Derek Jeter didn’t work a walk, Robinson Cano's hit means nothing. That’s team work, that’s the Yankees offense, that’s a team hungry for the postseason.

Hector Noesi started the game for the Yankees today. He was a last minute add because Phil Hughes was scratched with back spasms. Noesi pitched 2.2 innings, allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 2. Like I’ve said in WHY THE YANKEES PEN IS THE BEST IN BASEBALL, Noesi is a team player and does what is asked of him. He did it again today, this time starting and you have to tip your hat to this kid, he handled it well. But that’s not all, the pen was incredible and they deserve much of the credit in keeping the Rays held to 2 runs the rest of the game. The combination of Raul Valdes, George Kontos, Aaron Laffey, Cory Wade, Boone Logan, Luis Ayala (who earned the win), and Mariano Rivera was brilliant for a day game before this night game. Girardi mixed up the pitchers, righty to lefty and kept the Rays off guard. Terrific job today.

1 heads up base running situation that I wanted to point out which took place today and I loved it because you know I love speed if you read Bleeding yankee Blue. Eduardo Nunez stole second and third in the same inning (I believe the 5th.) No, it didn't give us a run, though it's important because it shows agression and pure grit. Gotta love it.

Final Score: Yankees 4 –Rays 2

Congrats to the Yankees for making the postseason for the 16^th time in 17 years. That is incredible. But no celebration yet. The Yankees have a night game with the Rays and CC Sabathia is on the mound right now. After a win tonight, then let's talk about party time...one game at a time.

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HERE COMES HECTOR NOESI AND FRIENDS

Hector Noesi was called up when the Yankees expanded the rosters along with 3 others…Greg Golson, Ramiro Pena and George Kontos. Earlier this week I posted THE YANKEES GANG OF 6. That group was the first grouping of call ups this September. I think it’s safe to say so far it’s worked out nicely for Jesus Montero and the Yankees with that call up, huh?

Now, a lot of people forget what Noesi has done for the Yankees this season, but they shouldn’t. This is a kid that has done what’s been asked of him and no doubt, some of the roles he’s played this year have been pretty crappy, but he’s done his best for us and that can’t be overlooked. This season, Noesi is 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA and allowed 47 hits on 47.1 innings pitched. He's stuck out 36 and walk 15, all in 24 games.

Hector Noesi is usually the guy who comes in in the later innings to either mop up or rest the pen. Sometimes he needs to go 3 innings. Sometimes he needs to just come in to end the game. Every single time he’s pitched his heart out. I have to say, many times Hector’s locked it down. My point is, he’s the forgotten man, the guy who needs to hold it together when we can’t afford to do anything else or we’re up 8 runs by the 7th. Noesi deserves huge props no doubt and that’s why the kid’s back. To me, Noesi could be an important pitcher down the stretch. He knows his role, he wants the ball and will be ready when called upon.

Greg Golson has great speed and a cannon. I will never forget last season, it was September and Goldson fired a gun from right field to peg the speedy Carl Crawford trying to slide into third base.

It was probably the only time Carl Crawford was pegged like that and it stuck out in my mind as one of the greatest throws coming out of right field. Look for Golson to be used in the late innings for late inning scoring.

Ramiro Pena. The kid's back after having an appendectomy. He’s the defense and speed if we need it. Pena’s been bouncing around for a few years now back and forth and he’s a bench player, he knows it and he knows he probably won’t get much playing time on the Yankees. Would he on another team? Not sure, but on a Yankee team of stars, forget it. Pena’s definitely an asset though, good choice on a September call-up.

George Kontos has earned his right to play in the pros because he did awesome this year in Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Kontos is a reliever and in 40 appearances, he has a 2.62 ERA. Hey, you know about how I feel about extra help out of the pen, Kontos is it. I doubt he’ll pitch much, but maybe.

Andrew Brackman was also called but, although I don't see this kid having much playing time. Brackman has an ERA over 6.00 and has struggled all season in Scranton. I would imagine, it is more for the major league experience.

As other possible call ups happen, like for instance the talk of Dellin Betances or Manny Banuelos possibly being called up, I'll keep you in the loop here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.