Melky Cabrera is the 15th Yankee player to hit for the cycle in team history. It came on a day when his performance was desperately needed by the Yankees as they beat the White Sox 8-5.

Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the second inning to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead, he double in the fourth, had an RBI single in the fifth, and then finished up in the ninth with a triple off of Scott Linebrink. The crowd that recently roared for a Buehrle perfect game, was now on their feet cheering for Cabrera’s performance.

The performance today by Cabrera was much needed, seeing that the Yankees only hold a half game lead over the Boston Redsox in the AL East.

What was expected to be a pitchers duel between Yankee starter CC Sabathia and White Sox starter Mark Buehrle, never really amounted to much. After the quick lead by the Yankees, thanks to Cabrera’s three run shot, the White Sox responded with a pair of homeruns from Jermaine Dye and  Jim Thome. The Yankees then responded with four runs in the next two innings, and with that, Sabathia had enough to settle down. Mo baby got the save as usual.

The Yankees have a tough week ahead of them, facing one of the best starters in the game in Roy Halliday and the Toronto Blue Jays for two games, and then a four game home series with the hated Bo Sox.