Bernabe!

Bernie Williams gets his first chance to play in nearly a week and hits a grand slam. The Yanks have won nine in a row, their longest winning streak since 2001, they're over .500, and The Summer of Excitement™ may be beginning to take shape.

Wang quickly shut down that enthusiasm, however, inducing an assortment of ground balls and holding the Mariners scoreless until allowing a third run in his final frame. He retired 17 in a row from the third out of the first inning to the first out in the seventh, and kept the Yankees in the game despite some cool Bomber bats.

"He was great after the first inning," Torre said. "He just went after people."

But Williams' blast overshadowed the pitcher. His 11 grand slams rank him fourth on the Yankees all-time list, behind only Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth. "It doesn't mean anything if you don't win the game," Williams said. "I think that's my biggest joy. That we won the game and I was able to help."

I believe the old man will help the Yanks win a few more games before he is consigned to only playing on "Old Timers' Day."