The Yankees had eight homers in the three games against the Red Sox and inched their way toward gaining respect from the league.

So after 151 games, the Yankees are inching closer and closer to a point of reality-enforced concession.

It is a dangerous time and the Yankees are inching through that minefield now.

But the Yankees inched back into the game.

Since the Yankees are inching toward clinching the wild card, they might be able to wait on using McDowell without repercussions.

When the Yankees inched into first place Wednesday, Rivera saved their game against the Orioles, while Mike Timlin blew a save chance for the Red Sox.

Mariano Duncan, who was thrown out at home to end the second inning, helped the Yankees inch back with a two-run single in the fourth that made it 3-2.

The Yankees inched closer to trading Orlando Hernández to the Montreal Expos as part of a three-way deal involving Bartolo Colón last night.

Rivera needed two more outs to end the game, make David Cone a winner and help the Yankees inch closer to the fading Orioles.

As the Yankees inch closer to another postseason berth, there has been speculation about Torre's future.