Before Monday's matinee against the Royals, manager Joe Girardi noted that the very players responsible for the Yankees' recent swoon were the same ones who were responsible for getting them into first place a few weeks ago. If they could win then, he said, they can win again.
He was half right.
Sure, Brett Gardner, Brian McCann and Chase Headley showcased their power in the 14-1 rout of Kansas City and Nathan Eovaldi provided a solid pitching performance. But the biggest contributor to the Yankees' success had nothing to do with their recent failures. He was on the mound for the other guys.