ATLANTA — The slumping Yankees staggered south without their two most threatening bats in the lineup, one because there is no place for a designated hitter in a National League park and the other because his troublesome shin showed no sign of getting better.
No Alex Rodriguez?
No Mark Teixeira?
No problem as it turned out Friday night, the Yankees finding their footing after a day off and feasting on woeful Atlanta Braves pitching, scoring nine runs in the first two innings and coasting to a 15-4 victory.
Whether it was a sign that better days are to come for the Yankees, who have watched their once cushy American League East lead dissolve this month along with their proficient offense, seemed to matter little.