--SS Derek Jeter picked up the 2,500th hit of his career on a bloop single in the first inning, making him the 88th major league player to reach that milestone and just the third Yankee. Jeter's historic hit wasn't the most solid among his vast collection, but he'll take it. In the first inning, he blooped one just over the head of Baltimore 2B Brian Roberts into shallow center. At 34, Jeter is the youngest active player to collect 2,500 hits.
--RHP Carl Pavano told reporters he's not looking at his return to the Yankees and Saturday's start as a shot at redemption for making just 19 starts in his four years with the club. "I'm not here to make amends; I'm here to do my job and that's to win ballgames," he said. "That's what I would have liked to have been doing the past three years, but that just hasn't worked out that way." Pavano has been afflicted with an assortment of ailments, the latest of which was recovering from "Tommy John" elbow surgery. --RF Bobby Abreu went 5-for-5 Friday night, the first time he's collected that many hits since 1999. Abreu helped pace the Yankees in their 9-4 win over Baltimore, scoring two runs and driving in one. All of Abreu's hits were singles and the big day raised his average seven points to .295.
--RHP Dan Giese made 30 throws from a distance of 60 feet as he attempts to return from the disabled list. Giese was put on the DL with rotator cuff tendinitis on Aug. 15, a week after fellow starter Joba Chamberlain was diagnosed with the same condition. Chamberlain is expected to throw off a mound for the first time Saturday.
--IF Cody Ransom hasn't seen a lot of action since he was called up from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) but it's impossible for him to make more of the chances he's received. Ransom hit a three-run homer in the ninth to give the Yankees some insurance in their 9-4 win. The shot made Ransom a perfect 2-for-2 with the Yankees, with both hits going over the fence. With Jason Giambi struggling at the plate, Ransom could at least merit a look, but any such thoughts of him becoming a full-time force should be tempered by his batting average in the low .200s for Scranton this year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- Losses for the Yankees on their recent 10-game road trip, which would mark the key turning point should the club fail to make the postseason for the first time in 14 years.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Ain't nobody going to feel sorry for us. We've been winning for an awful long time." -- LHP Andy Pettitte, on the Yankees' recent rough stretch and dwindling playoff hopes.
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