MARKNADO! Teixeira Feasting As Yankees Cruise In AL East
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Alex Rodriguez says New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is "the MVP of the league on both sides of the ball."
Teixeira is definitely making a case for the hardware. He leads the Bombers with 24 home runs, adding a two-run blast in Wednesday night's win over Baltimore. He's also tops on the team with 65 RBIs, which puts him in a tie with American League leaders Jose Bautista and Kendrys Morales.
The All-Star has been doing it with his glove, too. Teixeira's nifty pick in the fifth inning helped preserve a 3-2 lead and got starting pitcher Ivan Nova out of trouble.
"I can't say enough about Tex," A-Rod said after the 4-3 victory. "Tonight he drove in four runs — two on offense and two on defense. A lot of times it's taken for granted because he's so good and he makes it look so easy."
Many thought Teixeira wouldn't be the same after season-ending wrist surgery two years ago, and he didn't do much to quiet his detractors during a banged-up and power-sapped 2014 season. But the 35-year-old is turning back the clock, on track for his first 30-homer, 100-RBI season since 2011. He's raised his average to .256 with four straight multi-hit games.
"I think that when you're around guys on a daily basis and a yearly basis, you know what's inside of them," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "You know how hungry they are and how hard they work. I think that's why we felt pretty good that guys could have some bounce-back years and be really productive for us."
Before the game, Girardi told WFAN's Mike Francesa that the resurgences of Teixeira and A-Rod -- who served a yearlong drug suspension in 2014 -- have changed the personality of the Yankees, who no longer have to worry about a revolving door in the middle of the lineup.
"I think it gives you a much more confident team," Girardi said in his weekly spot. "I think it has allowed our guys to unite and really be close as a group."
The Joe Girardi Report
The win improved New York's record to 11-4 in July, and the Yankees, with a 5 1/2-game lead in the AL East, are one good push away from running away with the division and ending a two-year postseason drought.
New York will be looking to sweep the Orioles -- now six games back and one game under .500 -- Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.
