A FIFTH OF ROGER

Roger's line in the top of the fifth:

First batter: Grounds out 3-1 on a 2-2 count. Don't you love the math of baseball? Roger did a nice job beating the runner to the bag.
Second batter: First-pitch line-drive double just past the first baseman.
Third batter: Three-pitch strikeout
Fourth batter: Fly out to right on a 1-0 count.

For the fifth inning that's one hit, no runs, no walks, one K. Eleven pitches.

Roger's final line (assuming he's done):

One run (earned)
Four hits....three doubles, one triple
Five strikeouts
Three walks

84 pitches total (I may be off by one, but then again, I may not be).

Roger didn't exactly look like a million bucks, which is approximately what the Yankees will be paying him per start. Then again, he wasn't Kei Igawa, either. He gave Portland a good Rogering. Not a great Rogering.

If I had to rank the Yankee pitching rotation right now, I'd put Roger third. The ace is Chien Ming-Wang, followed closely by Andy Pettite (who's pitched far better than his record). Then Rocket. After that Mike Mussina, who is struggling this season. His ERA is up around six. Then I LOVE Phil Hughes, who's my No. 5 only because he has only pitched about 12 innings in the bigs. But when he returns, and has a start or two under him, watch out.

And here's hoping that the Yankee Clippard sticks around. And that Carl Pavano remains AWOL.

Meanwhile, of the many reasons Yankee fans should shudder is the fact that Boston now has two closers who are more effective than Mariano Rivera: Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima.

Wait a moment: Here comes Roger, back for the sixth inning.

The score is 2-1 Thunder, by the way. Top of the sixth. Doesn't Roger know that Yankee starters don't last into the sixth inning any more? That's what Scott Proctor is for.