Not bad at all, but hopefully not the best he has to offer. The splitter looked great, and that's the key, because if he can control that, his other pitches are more likely to be effective.
Notice nobody was really talking about special treatment today. Those things don't matter as much when you're winning. Speaking of special treatment, this is my favorite Paris Hilton anecdote. From a "pal":
“It’s so cruel what has happened to her. She wasn’t allowed to wax or use a moisturiser. Her skin is so dry right now.”
Life's tough for the unmoisturized.
Other notes:
Bobby Abreu got around on that inside pitch in the sixth inning, something he really hasn't done all year. He hadn't lost that opposite-field approach, but he was useless on anything high or in. Good to see.
Melky Cabrera should be the full-time center fielder as long as he can hit for a decent average/OBP. Going into today, he was .250/.308/.360, with negligible difference from Damon save the 48 points in on-base percentage. Not quite good enough, in my mind. But his defense can be spectacular, although someone really needs to show him how to turn those inside-the-parkers into outs.
I don't know if the more-animated attitude of the team is a result of Clemens or the winning streak. I lean toward the ballgame-winning with a slight boost today by the weekend crowd and Clemens. Also, a small part could be the fun of playing a pathetic team such as Pittsburgh. My God, when the Yankees pull off not one, but two double steals without breaking a sweat, something's wrong with your club.
Roger Clemens had a decent outing today. He pitched against a sub .500 team and being that he played for the Astros last year, this isn't the first time he has seen this Pirates team. A win is a win and thats great but certainly nothing to get excited over.
No one was discussing Clemen's special treatment today because it would be petty. Clemens is a pitcher first and today thats what it was all about. Its not because the Yankees are winning that stories haven't been written about it, rather its because we finally see what has been discussed all season long. I am sure later on when people have time to digest the signing, his performance, and the team's performance the issue will be reraised.
I am unclear if what happened to Paris Hilton is unfair. The sheriff is saying, that her celebrity got her jail time because usually others don't serve any for these charges. Until I see some facts and statistics behind those comments I can't make a fair judgement about her treatment.