Stepping Up in a Pinch

Vernon Wells has gone from Angels benchwarmer to vital cog for the Yankees. The outfielder, who'd never duplicated the numbers from his best days with the Blue Jays, was virtually given away late in Spring Training. The Yankees, missing such key names as Jeter, A-Rod, Granderson and Teixeria, slipped Wells into left field. And he's been a productive player ever since. Last night, he had a hand in all three New York runs -- homering for the first two, then scoring the game-winner in the to the 9th -- as the Yanks slipped past the Rockies. And if that wasn't enough, he even filled in at 3rd base and made a nifty fielding play after Joe Girardi emptied his bench. Thanks to Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News, who noted that Wells had played 13,751-2/3 big-league innings as an outfielder -- without ever playing even an inning on the infield. Stepping in on short notice (albeit after taking ground balls in practice for several weeks) and helping an injury-riddled team win, Wells deserves this bonus posting today.

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