Lakeland, Fla., March 5 — As Shane Spencer grounded out to third on a crisp, clear evening, the losing streak had grown to four, neither of today’s starters had been particularly effective (and Sterling Hitchcock’s first inning was truly dreadful), I was fearful of catching a nasty cold, my star first baseman had re-tweaked his hammy and our shortstop was out for five days with a stiff neck. So what else to write about other than a string of glaring positives?

Number one good name on today’s hit list is Erick Almonte and, despite some stellar work in the field, “hit” is the operative word. Even with an oh-fer yesterday we’ve seen him go five for ten, with a perfect sacrifice, a lead-grabbing home run to the opposite field and two rbi’s. Better get better, Derek! And worthy of honorable mention among a host of young arms are (I kid you not) John Dillinger, Brian Rogers, David Walling, Bo Donaldson (with a very deceptive kind of sidearm fling) and, most impressive from what we’ve seen, Jeremy Blevins. Juan Rivera is a good outfielder and hits the ball hard; Nick is hitting and taking pitches; and Marcus Thames has a great eye at the plate (more than seven pitches per at bat over five ab’s), plays good defense, and made an astounding grab banging into the foul fence after a 100-plus-foot run tonight.

At a delightful Legends Field today (it felt 30 degrees warmer and measured at least 20), ageless Ranger nonroster invitee catcher Pat Borders displayed a vicious line-drive-foul-to-left bat, literally turning our ball-hungry crowd into a cowering mass of contact-averse supplicants. The first (and most dangerous} whizzed past me, missed my better half by a whisker, struck a rail and caromed sections away. And tonight’s Lakeland puzzle was, “Who is that guy playing second and impersonating The King by wearing the number 13? The answer, of course, was the ageless wonder with the soft hands and magic bat: Luis Sojo!

Skipping the three-hour drive to Port Charlotte (Rangers) for a sleep-in and fun in the sun’s rays tomorrow, then the Devil Rays in (lovely) St. Pete on Thursday.

YANKEE BASEBALL!!!