Around the AL: Wang keeping Yankees afloat

The New York Yankees’ rotation might be a train wreck if Chien-Ming Wang didn’t keep chugging along.

Phil Hughes is on the disabled list. Ian Kennedy is back in the minors. And Wang is unstoppable, having become the fifth Yankees’ starter since 1990 to win his first six decisions. Orlando Hernandez (2004), Aaron Small (1995) and Bob Wickman (1993) — yes, Bob Wickman — were 8-0, and Mike Mussina was 7-0 in 2003.

Wang also became the American League’s first six-game winner on Friday, ending New York’s three-game losing streak in the process. The Yankees are 7-0 in his starts this season. Going into Saturday’s game, they were 8-16 when someone else took the mound in the first inning.

Here’s more: The Yankees are 27-7 when Wang starts after a loss, including 11 straight victories. Now that’s an unstoppable stopper.

Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada are on the disabled list and Hank Steinbrenner is trying really, really hard to emulate his father. A lot of people are bummin’ in the Bronx, but not when Wang pitches.

Rain-delaying the finish

All the drills in spring training that were designed to improve fundamentals couldn’t prepare the Orioles for what happened to them in April — three postponements and a suspended game, all because of rain.

Practicing rundowns and pick-off throws is great, but they didn’t account for the weather.

The suspended game against the Chicago White Sox will be completed on Aug. 25th, beginning with the 12th inning, but the location changes to Camden Yards because the Orioles don’t revisit U.S. Cellular Field. The Orioles will be the visiting team and bat in the top half of each inning, but they’ll stay in their own dugout and wear their home jerseys.

Players who appeared in the original game and were removed aren’t allowed to return. That includes designated hitter Aubrey Huff, who was ejected for arguing a call at first base. But players added to the roster are eligible.

Brandon Fahey was playing shortstop for the Orioles when the game was suspended, but he’s been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Eider Torres is their only remaining bench player, but if he replaces Fahey, who serves as the DH?

Of the Orioles’ three available relievers, Greg Aquino is in Norfolk and Rule 5 pick Randor Bierd is on the disabled list.

The weather almost became a factor again on May 1, when a game between the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards was subjected to a steady rain that didn’t interrupt play.

Apparently, where the Orioles are concerned, April showers bring May showers.

Big gain, then pain

Boston Red Sox outfielder Brandon Moss hit a crucial home run last week to help win a game. He celebrated by having his appendix removed the next night.

Whatever happened to buying drinks for the house?

Moss underwent his appendectomy at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"Brandon Moss is in surgery right now having his appendix removed," Boston manager Terry Francona said after the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay, 12-4. "He was feeling ill and the medical team felt that there was a possibility rather than just an abdominal flu that this was a possibility."

Not safe at any home

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons can’t escape the same line of questioning, no matter where he hides out.

Gibbons, whose team has gotten off to a rough start, recently visited his 96-year-old grandmother and relayed part of their conversation.

"She asked me, 'What's wrong with your team?' I said, 'That's a good question,' " Gibbons said. "Then she said, 'Are you going to get fired?' That's another good question.

“I didn't expect her to hammer me. I thought she'd give me a hug or something."

Cliff notes

When you’re undefeated and your ERA is below 1.00 in April, you’re pretty much assured of being named Pitcher of the Month.

The news couldn’t have come as much of a shock to Cleveland Indians left-hander Cliff Lee. Hold the smelling salts.

Lee was 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA and 32 strikeouts. His .163 on-base percentage allowed over his first five starts is the best in 99 years, and he’s the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1997 to win his first five starts and register a sub-1.00 ERA.

"I thought he had a pretty good shot at it," manager Eric Wedge said.

You think?

Meanwhile, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was named the AL’s Player of the Month after he batted .330 with six home runs and 32 RBIs — tops in the majors — in 28 games. He also had 10 doubles and 11 walks, scored 16 runs and posted a .591 slugging percentage.

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