The New York Yankees got a huge start from Ivan Nova as he went over 7 innings of shutout baseball in the 5-0 victory. The Yankees got a huge bases-clearing hit from Curtis Granderson, which was all the offense the Yankees needed.

So did Ivan Nova secure a spot as the number two starter in the playoffs with this win?

Ivan Nova has certainly matured from a year ago. Late in the 2010 season he got off to a good beginning in his starts but made a habit of falling apart in the 5th and 6th innings. Since then, he has learned how to pitch and make changes on the fly. He has also attacked the strike zone and been aggressive in his starts. This aggressiveness is a huge asset for him and for the Yankees, as they look for someone with that kind of makeup as their number two starter come playoff time. Ivan Nova picked up his 16th win going 7 2/3 innings giving up 6 hits, no runs, walking 3 and striking out 3. The three walks are the only con on Nova's line.

Curtis Granderson was the offensive star as he went 3-5 with 4 RBI including that bases-clearing double. Jeter, Chavez, Gardner, and Martin each had a pair of hits in the game.

The Yankees next play a doubleheader on Wednesday as their magic number to clinch the AL East division will be at 3 entering Wednesday thanks to this win and the Red Sox loss over the Orioles.

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