A.J. Burnett returned somewhat to normalcy on Wednesday night in the Bronx. I suppose you can brand him somewhat of an enigma. Think back to game two of the World Series last year. The Yankees were down 0-1 at home to the Phillies after Cliff Lee and Chase Utley pounded them 6-1.

Burnett allowed only one hit and the Yankees were on their way to their 27th world championship. The Yankees expected more of the same but 2010 has been more downs than ups for the right hander from Arkansas.

He was not overpowering and dominant but he held the A's to three runs and the Yankees held on to win their fifth straight with a 4-3 squeaker over Oakland. Mark Teixeira had three hits including a run scoring double and two run single for three RBI on the night. Curtis Granderson hit a solo blast for the other run.

The Yankee bullpen was masterful with Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera slamming the door.

Rivera entered to the strains of "Enter Sandman" and pitched a scoreless ninth again. He got Cliff Pennington to ground to Tex at first for out one. Coco Crisp hit a smash one hopper back through the box but Rivera snatched it for the second out. It would have surely been a single if not for Mo. Daric Barton battled and eventually reached on an infield single as he just beat Jeter's throw. Kurt Suzuki was looking for the outside cutter and Rivera threw two two-seam sinkers low and in. The second Suzuki whiffed at and the ball game was over.

For Rivera, the save was his 28th of the season in 30 save opportunities and also the 554th of his career. His 2010 season ERA now stands at 1.11.

As I complete this entry, I just found out that the Yankees won again this afternoon with CC Sabathia gaining his 19th win against only five losses. He allowed only one hit in eight innings helping the Yankees to a four game sweep of the A's and their sixth straight win.

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