"Now, what is this site about, how Joe Torre ruined pitchers' arms? Is that it?"
-Michael Kay, August 18, 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Welcome back, Abreu, and thanks!

Bobby Abreu’s trap in right field on Robinson Cano’s line drive in the eighth inning started the eventual game-winning rally.

In Abreu’s return to Yankee Stadium, Abreu decided to be, well, Bobby Abreu.  After Cano’s single, which extended his hitting streak to 17 games, Jorge Posada hit a ground-rule double.  Nick Swisher was then intentionally walked.

Melky Cabrera (RBI single) and Ramiro Pena (two-run double) came through with the big hits to break the 4-4 tie.  The Yankees won 7-4 to extend their winning streak to three games.

A.J. Burnett pitched seven innings, giving up four earned runs and eight hits.  Phil Coke pitched a scoreless eighth and was credited with the win.  Mariano Rivera recorded his fifth save of the year with a scoreless ninth.

Every Yankee starter had at least one hit, while Derek Jeter, Cabrera and Pena had two apiece.  Pena’s two RBI were the first of his career.

The Yankees finish April at 12-10, the first time they had a winning April since 2006.

Andy Pettitte and Jered Weaver start for their respective teams tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (11-10) begin a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (9-11) at Yankee Stadium tonight.  The pitching matchups are:

Tonight – 7:05 p.m., YES
Anthony Ortega
– RHP (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett – RHP (2-0, 5.47 ERA)

Tomorrow – 7:05 p.m., YES
Jered Weaver
– RHP (2-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte – LHP (2-1, 2.96 ERA)

Saturday – 1:05 p.m., YES
Matt Palmer
– RHP (1-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia – LHP (1-2, 4.73 ERA)

Sunday – 1:05 p.m., YES
Joe Saunders
– LHP (3-1, 3.41 ERA) vs. Phil Hughes – RHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

A-Rod book details released

Tracy Connor for the Daily News penned an article riddled with details from the Alex Rodriguez book set to be released on May 12.

Alex Rodriguez may have bulked up with steroids as early as high school - and was suspected of juicing while playing for the Yankees, a bombshell new book reports.

Although the slugger insists he dabbled in steroids only while with the Texas Rangers, the book "A-Rod" strongly suggests he didn't give up performance enhancers when he came to New York.

Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts, who broke the story that A-Rod flunked a steroid screening in 2003, reveals fellow Bombers nicknamed the third baseman "B---h T--s" in 2005.

That was after he put on 15pounds in the off-season and seemed to develop round pectorals, a condition called gynecomastia that can be caused by anabolic steroids, she writes.

In addition, an unnamed major-leaguer is quoted as saying Rodriguez and steroid-tainted pitcher Kevin Brown were seen together with human growth hormone - HGH - in 2004.

Brown, who was named in the Mitchell Report on steroids, denied through a lawyer that he ever shared the hormone with the highest-paid player in baseball.

Two other anonymous Yankees said they believed A-Rod was using based on side effects they saw - and a clubhouse staffer said management wondered if he was using banned substances.

"No one ever asked Alex directly that I know of, but there was a lot of suspicion in house," the employee is quoted as saying.

Yawn.  Is it any surprise that this article came out the day Rodriguez is set to play his first game down in Florida?

None of this really surprises me.  In fact, I hope all of it is true.

I can’t wait to see what comes out when Rodriguez is set to make his return to the majors.  I’ll expect to hear this playing.  It will be a circus indeed.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Game 21: Yankees at Tigers

New York Yankees (10-10) Detroit Tigers (11-9)
Derek Jeter SS Curtis Granderson CF
Johnny Damon LF Placido Polanco 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B Magglio Ordonez RF
Hideki Matsui DH Miguel Cabrera 1B
Robinson Cano 2B Carlos Guillen DH
Jorge Posada C Gerald Laird C
Nick Swisher RF Brandon Inge 3B
Melky Cabrera CF Josh Anderson LF
Ramiro Pena 3B Ramon Santiago SS


Joba Chamberlain RHP (0-0, 3.94 ERA) vs. Rich Porcello RHP (1-2, 3.75 ERA)

Yankees vs. Porcello

  • No Yankees have any experience against Porcello

Tigers vs. Chamberlain

  • Granderson: 0-1
  • Polanco: 0-1
  • Ordonez: 1-3
  • Guillen: 0-3
  • Laird: 1-3

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Hughes restores order

capt.422368fa968c498c8a6b68814d24a990.yankees_tigers_baseball_midb101Phil Hughes, of all people, halted the Yankees’ four-game losing streak.

He pitched six shutout innings, striking out six and walking two.  He also threw 58 of his 99 pitches for strikes in the Yankees’ 11-0 victory over the Tigers.

Hughes pitched nicely, and his velocity touched 92 and 93 mph quite a bit.  He even got up to 94.  His curve was a little hard to control in the beginning but improved as the game went on, it seemed.

However, it was a pitchers’ duel for the first six innings of the game.  Edwin Jackson matched Hughes pitch-for-pitch, striking out four and walking one over six innings.  However, once Jackson was taken out, the Tigers imploded.

The Yankees scored 10 in the seventh inning, capped by a Jose Molina grand slam.  Aside from Molina, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Jorge Posada all had RBI in the frame.

Nick Swisher added a solo home run in the ninth to make it an 11-0 game.

Mark Melancon, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras each pitched scoreless innings to close out the game.

Joba Chamberlain will face Rick Porcello tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. in the rubber game.

AP Photo

Game 20: Yankees at Tigers

New York Yankees (9-10) Detroit Tigers (11-8)
Derek Jeter SS Curtis Granderson CF
Johnny Damon LF Placido Polanco 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B Magglio Ordonez RF
Hideki Matsui DH Miguel Cabrera 1B
Robinson Cano 2B Carlos Guillen DH
Nick Swisher RF Gerald Laird C
Melky Cabrera CF Brandon Inge 3B
Jose Molina C Josh Anderson LF
Ramiro Pena 3B Adam Everett SS


Phil Hughes RHP (NR) vs. Edwin Jackson RHP (1-1, 2.77 ERA)

Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 175

Yankees vs. Jackson

  • Jeter: 10-24, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI
  • Damon: 3-19, 3 BB
  • Teixeira: 2-7, 3B
  • Matsui: 6-19, HR, 3 RBI
  • Cano: 5-21, 2B, RBI
  • Swisher: 4-11, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI
  • Cabrera: 5-15, RBI
  • Molina: 1-7

Tigers vs. Hughes

  • Granderson: 3-4, 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI
  • Polanco: 4-6, 2B, RBI
  • Ordonez: 1-5, 2 RBI
  • Cabrera: 0-2
  • Guillen: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
  • Laird: 0-2
  • Inge: 0-2

Notes: Steven Jackson was optioned to Triple-A for Hughes.

Yankees reduce ticket prices

I’m still very busy and don’t have time to sift through this gigantic statement, but give it a read if you’re one of the few to buy the most expensive seats at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees FML: April 27

From Jeremy because school is giving me no free time:

Today, my best pitcher went on the mound and gave up 4 runs. But my offense only scored 2. FML

Monday, April 27, 2009

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (9-9) begin a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers (10-8) at Comerica Park tonight.  The pitching matchups are:

Tonight – 7:05 p.m., YES
CC Sabathia – LHP (1-1, 4.81 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander – RHP (0-2, 9.00 ERA)

Tomorrow – 7:05 p.m., YES
Phil Hughes
– RHP (NR) vs. Edwin Jackson – RHP (1-1, 2.77 ERA)

Wednesday – 7:05 p.m., YES/ESPN
Joba Chamberlain
– RHP (0-0, 3.94 ERA) vs. Rick Porcello – RHP (1-2, 4.50 ERA)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Yankees FML: April 26

Today, my team got swept by the Boston Red Sox.  The Yankees led in all three games.  However, the pitching was nonexistent and a runner even stole home to put the cherry on top.  FML

Game 18: Yankees at Red Sox

New York Yankees (9-8) Boston Red Sox (11-6)
Brett Gardner CF Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Derek Jeter SS Dustin Pedroia 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B David Ortiz DH
Nick Swisher LF Kevin Youkilis 1B
Robinson Cano 2B J.D. Drew RF
Jorge Posada C Jason Bay LF
Hideki Matsui DH Mike Lowell 3B
Melky Cabrera RF Jason Varitek C
Angel Berroa 3B Nick Green SS


Andy Pettitte LHP (2-0, 2.53 ERA) vs. Justin Masterson RHP (1-0, 3.18 ERA)

Time: 8:05 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Yankees vs. Masterson

  • Gardner: 0-3, RBI
  • Jeter: 2-5, RBI
  • Swisher: 1-1
  • Cano: 2-4
  • Matsui: BB
  • Cabrera: 3-4, RBI

Red Sox vs. Pettitte

  • Ellsbury: 4-8, 2B, 4 RBI
  • Pedroia: 6-26, 2B, 5 RBI
  • Ortiz: 16-44, 5 2B, HR, 7 RBI
  • Youkilis: 9-20, 3 2B, HR, 3 RBI
  • Drew: 9-26, 2 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBI
  • Bay: 10-22, 3B, HR, 3 RBI
  • Lowell: 7-20, 2B, 5 RBI
  • Varitek: 17-50, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Saturday YanksBlog.com recap

The Yankees played horrible baseball, losing 16-11.  I am absolutely disgusted.  Unfortunately, today’s game was on a Saturday, so I had to write the recap on YanksBlog.com!

If you want to torture yourself, click here! (no offense, Patrick!)

Misery loves company.  Rant and rave in the comments section.

Updates on the roster moves, Bruney

Cody Ransom was placed on the 60-day disabled list and Humberto Sanchez was released, according to Peter Abraham.

Meanwhile, Brian Bruney’s elbow injury has a strained flexor mass, meaning it’s a muscle injury and not a ligament injury.  He will not throw for a week.

Xavier Nady wasn’t placed on the 60-day DL, which, I presume, means that the team hopes he can return on the sooner side.

Game 17: Yankees at Red Sox

New York Yankees (9-7) Boston Red Sox (10-6)
Derek Jeter SS Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Johnny Damon LF Dustin Pedroia 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B David Ortiz DH
Nick Swisher RF Kevin Youkilis 1B
Robinson Cano 2B J.D. Drew RF
Jorge Posada C Jason Bay LF
Hideki Matsui DH Mike Lowell 3B
Angel Berroa 3B Jason Varitek C
Brett Gardner CF Nick Green SS


A.J. Burnett RHP (2-0, 3.20 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett RHP (2-1, 3.79 ERA)

Time: 4:10 p.m.
TV: FOX
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Yankees vs. Beckett

  • Jeter: 10-34, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
  • Damon: 8-31, 5 2B, 4 RBI
  • Teixeira: 1-9
  • Swisher: 4-9, HR, RBI
  • Cano: 10-30, 3 2B, HR, 5 RBI
  • Posada: 7-23, 2B, 2 RBI
  • Matsui: 3-14, 3B
  • Berroa: 2-5, 2B
  • Gardner: 0-5

Red Sox vs. Burnett

  • Ellsbury: 4-15
  • Pedroia: 4-18, 2 HR, 4 RBI
  • Ortiz: 5-22, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI
  • Youkilis: 4-20, 2 RBI
  • Drew: 5-17, 2B, RBI
  • Bay: 4-13, HR, RBI
  • Lowell: 4-17, 2B
  • Varitek: 4-15, 2 2B, 2 RBI
  • Green: 2-6, 3B

Melancon also called up

ph_453343

Peter Abraham is reporting that Mark Melancon has also been called up, which definitely sounds like bad news for Brian Bruney’s elbow.

Mel-AN-son, 24, has appeared in six games this season, pitching 10 1/3 scoreless innings.  He has struck out 17, walked three and allowed four hits.

The Yankees will need to make another 40-man roster move.  I will update when I what the two 40-man moves are.

A.J. the stopper

Poor A.J. Burnett.  How many times will he have to save the Yankees from terrible defeats this season.  He has only made three starts this season, and all three have come on the heals of terrible defeats and situations.  I guess the team is getting its money’s worth.  Let’s take a look:

Burnett started the third game of the season on April 9 after the Yankees dropped their first two games.  While he threw a lot of pitches and only got through 5 1/3 innings, it was enough to record his first win as a Yankee and the team’s first win of 2009.  He struck out six, walked one and allowed two earned runs.

Now let’s shift to April 14.  After losing to the Rays 15-5 the night before, Burnett took the ball once again on a two-game losing streak.  Chien-Ming Wang only retired three batters the night before and they had to use Nick Swisher of all people in the bullpen.  Needing a long outing from Burnett, he pitched eight, flirting with a no-hitter in the process, striking out nine and allowing two runs.  The Yankees won 7-2.

On April 18, the Yankees lost 22-4, after Wang faltered for the third straight time in front of Burnett.  The next day, while Burnett wasn’t on top of his game – he walked seven and allowed two home runs – the Yankees were able to pull out a 7-3 victory to restore order in the Bronx for at least one day.

Now Burnett has to take the ball today after the Yankees lost a terrible game last night.  The Yankees have put a lot of pressure on Burnett, and it’s only April.  He’s been a welcomed addition thus far and hopefully he can keep this honeymoon going.

For the record, Burnett is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in 22 2/3 career innings at Fenway Park.

Berroa called up

ph_407556 As expected, Angel Berroa has been called up to replace the injured Cody Ransom, according to Chad Jennings.  Berroa is not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees still need to make another move.  While no move has yet been announced, Jennings suggested moving Xavier Nady to the 60-day DL.

Berroa, 31, is batting .316/.365/.491 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 57 at-bats for Scranton.

It was said last night that David Robertson was called up to take Chien-Ming Wang’s spot.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Adding injury to insult

As Peter Abraham succinctly put it:

Wang to DL, Robertson coming.

Ransom on DL (quad). No word on who is coming.

Bruney has an injured elbow. Tests tomorrow.

That answers the question as to where Bruney was.  Ransom was injured stealing second base.  I would guess they’re disabling Wang with a “tired arm” or something.  More speculation: I’d say Robertson will remain up with the team until Tuesday, when Phil Hughes gets the call to start against Detroit.

Update – 12:30 a.m.: Abraham has more.  Apparently Bruney’s elbow was bothering him on Wednesday, which is why he didn’t pitch in the 14-inning game.  He gave up one run on two hits Tuesday night.

Ransom has some sort of a tear in his quad.  The Yankees will need to make a 40-man roster move when calling up an infielder tomorrow.

Regarding Wang, the Yankees said Wang’s issues are hip-related, stemming from his foot injury last year.  According to Brian Cashman, Wang will need two weeks of physical therapy.

What a joke

This game doesn’t even warrant an FML.

What was Joe Girardi thinking putting Mariano Rivera into the game with an 0-1 count?  This over-managing of the bullpen is getting really old really fast.  It was a totally unnecessary move.

This team deserved to lose the game after Robinson Cano grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs.

Same story, different year.

Game 16: Yankees at Red Sox

New York Yankees (9-6) Boston Red Sox (9-6)
Derek Jeter SS Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Johnny Damon LF Dustin Pedroia 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B David Ortiz DH
Jorge Posada DH Kevin Youkilis 1B
Nick Swisher RF J.D. Drew RF
Robinson Cano 2B Jason Bay LF
Melky Cabrera CF Mike Lowell 3B
Jose Molina C Jason Varitek C
Cody Ransom 3B Nick Green SS


Joba Chamberlain RHP (0-0, 5.06 ERA) vs. Jon Lester LHP (1-2, 5.50 ERA)

Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: YES
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Yankees vs. Lester

  • Jeter: 5-13, RBI
  • Damon: 5-12, HR, 3 RBI
  • Teixeira: 0-3
  • Posada: 0-3
  • Swisher: 1-6, HR, 2 RBI
  • Cano: 3-11, 2B, RBI
  • Cabrera: 5-8, 2B, RBI
  • Molina: 3-7
  • Ransom: 1-2, 2B

Red Sox vs. Chamberlain

  • Ellsbury: 0-6
  • Pedroia: 3-8, 2B, 2 RBI
  • Ortiz: 1-6
  • Youkilis: 2-5, 3 BB
  • Drew: 0-7
  • Bay: 1-2
  • Lowell: 3-7, HR, RBI
  • Varitek: 0-2

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (9-6) begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox (9-6) at Fenway Park tonight.  The pitching matchups are:

Tonight – 7:10 p.m., YES
Joba Chamberlain
– RHP (0-0, 5.06 ERA) vs. Jon Lester – LHP (1-2, 5.50 ERA)

Tomorrow – 4:10 p.m., FOX
A.J. Burnett
– RHP (2-0, 3.20 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett – RHP (2-1, 3.79 ERA)

Sunday – 8:05 p.m., ESPN
Andy Pettitte
– LHP (2-0, 2.53 ERA) vs. Justin Masterson – RHP (1-0, 3.18 ERA)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Joba vs. Youkilis resumes tomorrow

340xWe all know Joba Chamberlain and Kevin Youkilis don’t get along to well.  When David Ortiz offered words of advice to young Mr. Chamberlain, the always hilarious New York Sports Jerk had to chime in on the issue – and he doesn’t pull any punches.

Give him a read.  I highly recommend it.

Reuters

Pedroia’s brother is a sex offender

thumb_1233020216174_0p35234463006030536 Dustin Pedroia’s brother has pleaded guilty to having oral sex with a minor.

Brett Pedroia, the older brother of Boston Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia, pleaded guilty today to oral copulation with a minor.

Pedroia was in a Yolo Superior Court this morning, charged with 2 counts of committing lewd acts with a minor and two counts of oral copulation with the minor, according to authorities.

The prosecution dropped the other three charges in the case.

Pedroia, 30, was booked at the Yolo County jail on Jan. 9 for two counts of oral copulation and lewd acts with a child under age 14, but was released on $50,000 bail, says Woodland Police. At a February 9 hearing, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The crimes allegedly took place 4 years ago with a boy who was then 8-years-old. Charges were filed only recently when the victim came forward reported the incident to his parents, who then contacted authorities.

Pedroia faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Yeah.

If you want any lewd comments about this, look elsewhere!

CBS 13 photo

Wang throws 91 pitches in Tampa

Chien-Ming Wang threw 91 pitches against Philadelphia Phillies’ minor leaguers in Tampa today, allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out 11, according to Bryan Hoch.  He gave up nine hits and walked none.

The Yankees haven’t decided whether Wang will make his next start on Tuesday in Detroit.

Update – 6:35 p.m.: Peter Abraham relays some quotes from Nardi Contreras:

“He doesn’t have the arm strength he had last year,” Contreras said. “But he hasn’t pitched in eight months prior to this spring training. What I saw today, he had the best slider I’ve seen since I’ve known Chien-Ming. The slider has improved and the changeup is very good. His offspeed pitches are coming in really well.”

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Melky walks off to end long afternoon

Final

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

R

H

E

OAK

0

3

1

0

0

1

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

9

1

NYY

0

2

2

1

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

9

17

1


Because I barely remember what happened in the early innings (besides CC Sabathia having another mediocre start), I’m not going to write a full recap.

Sabathia, as I said, was mediocre, at best.  He had another start where his walks outnumbered his strikeouts.  He walked four and struck out two in 6 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs  (six earned).  His ERA now stands at 4.81.

Melky Cabrera hit home runs from both sides of plate, including the two-run walk-off home run in the 14th inning.  Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter also had home runs.

Jose Veras was fantastic during his 3 1/3 innings of relief, retiring the final 10 batters he faced.

The Yankees have an off-day tomorrow before traveling to Boston for three games beginning on Friday.

Game 15: Athletics at Yankees

Oakland Athletics (5-8) New York Yankees (8-6)
Ryan Sweeney CF Derek Jeter SS
Orlando Cabrera SS Johnny Damon LF
Jason Giambi DH Mark Teixeira 1B
Matt Holliday LF Jorge Posada C
Jack Cust RF Robinson Cano 2B
Kurt Suzuki C Nick Swisher RF
Mark Ellis 2B Hideki Matsui DH
Landon Powell 1B Melky Cabrera CF
Bobby Crosby 3B Cody Ransom 3B


Brett Anderson LHP (0-2, 4.85 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia LHP (1-1, 3.57 ERA)

Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Athletics vs. Sabathia

  • Cabrera: 4-26, 2B, 3 RBI
  • Giambi: 2-11, 4 RBI
  • Holliday: 1-3
  • Cust: 4-13, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI
  • Suzuki: 0-6
  • Ellis: 5-23, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
  • Crosby: 6-20, 2 2B, HR, RBI

Yankees vs. Anderson

  • No Yankees have experience against Anderson.  Uh oh.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Rivera and Pettitte tie wins saved record

Final

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

R

H

E

OAK

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

12

1

NYY

0

4

0

0

0

1

0

0

X

5

12

0


With Mariano Rivera saving today’s 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics, he now has saved 57 wins for Andy Pettitte, tying him with Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley for the major league record.  Pettitte is now 2-0 on the season, and the Yankees are 8-6 overall.

The Yankees batted around in the second inning, scoring four runs and working A’s starter Dana Eveland hard.  Brett Gardner hit a two-run single through the drawn-in infield to get the Yankees on the board.  Two batters later, Johnny Damon drove in a run on a single and Mark Teixeira followed with an RBI single.

The A’s halved the lead in the fourth, after three consecutive singles loaded the bases with no outs.  Mark Ellis grounded into a fielder’s choice to drive in the Athletics’ first run.  Kurt Suzuki, who ended up going 4-for-4, hit an RBI single two batters later.

Pettitte finished with seven innings, allowing only two earned runs on nine hits.  He neither walked nor struck out a batter (ed. note: strange!).  Eveland gave up four earned runs on nine hits in four innings pitched.  He walked four and struck out three.

The Yankees extended their lead when Damon lined a solo home run to right.  However, Oakland was able to touch Brian Bruney in the eighth.  With two outs, Oakland put together a rally, culminating with Ellis’ RBI double.  However, Bruney induced an Eric Chavez line out to Robinson Cano to end the threat.

Rivera allowed a lead off single to Suzuki in the ninth, but retired the next three batters to end the game.

The Yankees are two games above .500 for the first time this season.  They’ll look to go three games above tomorrow afternoon with CC Sabathia on the hill.

Game 14: Athletics at Yankees

Oakland Athletics (5-7) New York Yankees (7-6)
Ryan Sweeney RF Derek Jeter SS
Orlando Cabrera SS Johnny Damon LF
Jason Giambi 1B Mark Teixeira 1B
Matt Holliday LF Jorge Posada C
Jack Cust DH Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Ellis 2B Nick Swisher RF
Eric Chavez 3B Hideki Matsui DH
Kurt Suzuki C Cody Ransom 3B
Rajai Davis CF Brett Gardner CF


Dana Eveland LHP (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte LHP (1-0, 2.51 ERA)

Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MY9
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Athletics vs. Pettitte

  • Sweeney: 1-3, RBI
  • Cabrera: 3-9, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
  • Giambi: 7-25, 3 2B, 2 RBI
  • Holliday: 1-6, HR, 2 RBI
  • Cust: 2-6, HR, 3 RBI
  • Ellis: 6-12, 2 2B, RBI
  • Chavez: 6-16, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
  • Suzuki: 1-4, RBI

Yankees vs. Eveland

  • Jeter: 0-2
  • Damon: 0-2
  • Teixeira: 0-3
  • Posada: 0-2
  • Cano: 0-3
  • Swisher: 0-2

Notes: The only Yankees with hits against Eveland are Xavier Nady and Alex Rodriguez. … Damon is playing in his 2,000th career game, while Jeter is playing in his 1,999th.

Wang headed to Tampa to pitch in extended spring training

Kat O’Brien is reporting that Chien-Ming Wang will pitch in Tampa in an extended spring training game on Thursday.

Wang isn’t hurt, so he can’t go on the disabled list, and he is out of options.  He will remain on the active roster and will throw 100 pitches, according to O’Brien.

This way, Joe Girardi explained, Wang can attempt to figure out what's wrong pitching in game conditions as opposed to more bullpen sessions. Part of the problem has been that Wang has looked good in the bullpen between starts and before games, but has struggled in games.

The Yankees will next need a fifth starter on Tuesday.  Girardi doesn’t know who is scheduled to start that game.

This is probably the best option they could’ve come up with considering the circumstances.  Hopefully he can figure out the problems and find a way to fix them.

Nady to avoid surgery

According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Xavier Nady has a partially torn ligament in his right elbow and will not need surgery.

The Yankees feared originally Nady could be lost for the season with a completely torn ligament, but a review of multiple X-rays revealed that the ligament is only partially torn. He will likely need to rehab the injury for a period of weeks, perhaps a month.

This is obviously great news.  Heyman suggests Nady can return as the team’s DH, as the Yankees are concerned about Hideki Matsui’s knees.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Today’s game called

Today’s series opener against the A’s has been called due to rain.  A makeup date has yet to be announced.

Welcome back, old friend

jason77

Jason Giambi makes his return to the Bronx tonight (weather permitting).  I assume he’ll get a very nice hand from what I assume will be a sparsely-populated crowd.  Giambi is batting .227 with five RBI and five runs scored.

I was unable to watch yesterday’s game because I had to work on school newspaper stuff, so that explains the lack of a recap.

For those keeping score at home, the Yankees have yet to have an attendance of more than 49,000.  Yesterday’s paid crowd was 43,068.  I wouldn’t be shocked if today’s is in the 30,000s.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Game 13: Indians at Yankees

Cleveland Indians (4-8) New York Yankees (6-6)
Grady Sizemore CF Brett Gardner CF
Mark DeRosa 3B Derek Jeter SS
Victor Martinez 1B Johnny Damon LF
Travis Hafner DH Mark Teixeira 1B
Jhonny Peralta SS Nick Swisher RF
Shin-Soo Choo LF Robinson Cano 2B
Ryan Garko RF Hideki Matsui DH
Kelly Shoppach C Cody Ransom 3B
Asdrubal Cabrera 2B Jose Molina C


Carl Pavano RHP (0-2, 16.71 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett (2-0, 2.70 ERA)

Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES, TBS
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 175

Indians vs. Burnett

  • Sizemore: 5-10, 3 2B, HR, RBI
  • DeRosa: 2-12, RBI
  • Martinez: 3-9, 2B, 4 BB
  • Hafner: 4-11, 2B, HR, 5 RBI
  • Peralta: 2-6, 2B, HR, 6 RBI
  • Choo: 0-2, 2 BB
  • Garko: 4-10, 2 2B, 2 RBI
  • Cabrera: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI

Yankees vs. Pavano

  • Jeter: 1-3
  • Damon: 4-7, 2 2B, RBI
  • Teixeira: 0-1, 2 RBI
  • Molina: 0-3

Welcome back, jerk

carl-720271Ahq8XPCA  carlpavanopavano_carl050410  pavanoback

610x
Mike Mussina
to Brian Cashman:

“Brian, you're not paying me less than you're paying Carl Pavano,” Mussina said.  “Don't insult me.”

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Wang can be skipped, not demoted

Yes, we all know Chien-Ming Wang has been terrible.  Six innings in three starts is literally impossible.  Well, it was.  His ERA rose from 28.93 to 34.50.

But what can we do to solve this situation?

According to Tyler Kepner, the Yankees can’t option him and they can’t put him on the disabled list.

Wang is out of minor-league options, and according to Girardi, there is no way he could be sent to the minors without allowing other teams the chance to claim him. There is no scenario under which Wang could agree to an assignment and bypass the waiver system. If the Yankees try to send him down, they would lose him. It’s that simple.

Girardi is also on record as saying Wang is not injured, so the disabled list is not an option, either. The most logical route is to skip Wang on Friday and let him pitch on April 28 at Detroit. That gives him nine days off to work on mechanics and re-build his confidence.

Kevin Devaney Jr. explains more about the waiver rule:

A team cannot send a player to the minors unless they have options or the player agrees and has at least five years of service. Wang has no options and hasn’t been in the majors long enough.

So what can the Yankees do?  In Kepner’s entry, he explains that because of this Thursday’s off-day, the Yankees can skip his turn in Boston.  Joe Girardi said “there’s some room to play with some things.”

Nothing has been made final, but something has to be done.  The Yankees can’t keep throwing him out there like this.

Yankees FML: April 18

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Time for our latest installment of Yankees FML.

Today, my team lost 22-4.  That 14-run second inning isn’t a typo.  That is all that needs to be said.  FML

6 innings pitched in 3 starts

If Chien-Ming Wang didn’t accomplish this feat, I’d think it was literally impossible.

34.50 ERA.

Game 12: Indians at Yankees

Cleveland Indians (3-8) New York Yankees (6-5)
Grady Sizemore CF Derek Jeter SS
Mark DeRosa 3B Johnny Damon DH
Victor Martinez C Mark Teixeira 1B
Travis Hafner DH Nick Swisher RF
Jhonny Peralta SS Jorge Posada C
Shin-Soo Choo RF Robinson Cano 2B
Ryan Garko 1B Melky Cabrera LF
Ben Francisco LF Brett Gardner CF
Asdrubal Cabrera 2B Ramiro Pena 3B


Fausto Carmona RHP (0-2, 9.00 ERA) vs. Chien-Ming Wang RHP (0-2, 28.93 ERA)

Time: 3:40 p.m.
TV: FOX
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Indians vs. Wang

  • Sizemore: 3-11, 2B, HR, RBI
  • DeRosa: 2-5
  • Martinez: 3-14, 2B, 3 RBI
  • Hafner: 1-6, 4 BB
  • Peralta: 3-12, 2B, RBI
  • Garko: 0-2
  • Francisco: 1-3
  • Cabrera: 0-5, BB

Yankees vs. Carmona

  • Jeter: 4-9, RBI
  • Damon: 2-8
  • Teixeira: 3-8, RBI
  • Swisher: 3-12, 2 2B, 3 RBI
  • Posada: 0-2
  • Cano: 3-9, RBI
  • Cabrera: 3-9, BB

Anthony Claggett called up

Chad Jennings is reporting that Anthony Claggett was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  No corresponding move has been announced as of yet.

Claggett, a 24-year-old right-handed relief pitcher, is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in three relief appearances and 5 1/3 innings thus far.  He has struck out six, walked one and allowed eight hits (.348 BAA).  The runs he allowed (two) were in his last appearance against Buffalo on Wednesday.  He had previously worked a three-inning appearance where he struck out five batters.

He made 29 appearances last year for Double-A Trenton last season, pitching to a 2.15 ERA in 58 2/3 innings.

Claggett was a Tigers’ prospect who was sent to New York in the Gary Sheffield trade.

Update – 2:08 p.m.: Chad Jennings received a text from Tyler Kepner, the Yankees writer for The Times, saying that Juan Miranda was optioned out.  Miranda had been called up yesterday.

Good, I’m glad

img_0282

6403c1a2b192f6a8b98d87b4f4195fed-getty-85139335es028_cleveland_ind Two games have been played at Yankee Stadium, and there has already been much backlash and attention focused on the empty seats and overall attendance of the games.

The top photo comes from Bronx Banter’s Cliff Corcoran at yesterday’s game, and he said this picture was taken around the third inning.  The bottom photo is from Getty Images.  I’m not sure when it was taken.

From everything I’ve seen and heard, it seems the upper decks have been full and the lower deck attendance has been sparse.  The Yankees will be forced to do something if this continues to be an issue.  I hope it continues to be an issue.

I love it.

First photo: Clifford J. Corcoran, 2009
Second photo: (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Yankees power way to victory despite Joba’s poor start

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The Yankees hit five solo home runs to right field on their way to defeating the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Friday afternoon at Yankee Stadium for the team’s first win in the new building.

They won despite a shaky outing for Joba Chamberlain in which he walked five and gave up five earned runs in only 4 2/3 innings.  He threw 93 pitches for only 46 strikes (49.5 percent).

Chamberlain gave up a one-out solo home run to Mark DeRosa in the first inning.  The Yankees would then take the lead in the third on two solo home runs by Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira.

However, Chamberlain continued to struggled in the next two innings.  Ben Francisco had an RBI single in the fourth, while DeRosa, Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko each drove in runs in the fourth.

The Yankees were unable to chip away at the lead in the fifth, even though Brett Gardner was on third with one out.  That would be the last inning for Indians’ starter Anthony Reyes.

With Reyes out of the game, the Yankees scored a run in each of their final three at-bats against the bullpen.  Robinson Cano hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 5-4.  In the seventh, Vinnie Chulk’s throwing error led to Damon scoring from first to tie the game at 5.  Then in the eighth, Derek Jeter had the first game-winning RBI in the new Stadium for the Yankees – a two-out solo home run to give the Yankees a 6-5 lead.

Mariano Rivera struggled a bit in the ninth, giving up two singles and a hard-hit ball that was flagged down by Gardner.  He eventually struck out two batters for his third save of the year.  Brian Bruney struck out two batters in the eighth and was rewarded with the victory.  He is now 2-0 and has struck out 12 batters in six innings pitched.

Chien-Ming Wang will look to improve on his poor start to the season.  He will face Fausto Carmona at 3:40 p.m. on FOX.

Game 11: Indians at Yankees

Cleveland Indians (3-7) New York Yankees (5-5)
Grady Sizemore CF Derek Jeter SS
Mark DeRosa 3B Johnny Damon LF
Victor Martinez C Mark Teixeira 1B
Travis Hafner DH Nick Swisher DH
Ryan Garko 1B Jorge Posada C
Shin-Soo Choo RF Robinson Cano 2B
Ben Francisco LF Melky Cabrera RF
Tony Graffanino 2B Cody Ransom 3B
Asdrubal Cabrera SS Brett Gardner CF


Anthony Reyes RHP (1-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. Joba Chamberlain (0-0, 1.50 ERA)

Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Indians vs. Chamberlain

  • Sizemore: 0-2, BB
  • Hafner: 0-2
  • Garko: 0-2
  • Cabrera: 0-1

Yankees vs. Reyes

  • Swisher: 0-3

Miranda called up; Matsui’s knee problems strike again

ph_506673 According to Bryan Hoch, 1B Juan Miranda was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  To make room for him, RHP David Robertson was optioned to Scranton.  Hoch said that the Yankees felt they needed a bench player due to Mark Teixeira’s wrist injury and Hideki Matsui’s left knee injury.

Matsui has fluid on his knee and is not in today’s starting lineup.  Joe Girardi feels that he “maybe has taken a little step back.”  Matsui was on base four times yesterday and then this comes up.

Miranda, who will be 26 next Saturday, is batting .361/.425/.667 in 36 at-bats for Scranton.  He has three home runs, 13 RBI and four walks.

‘I immediately regret this decision’

p3-ransom

This reminds me of something that should be on Straight Cash Homey.  What a waste of money.

These personalized jerseys cost $100 (plus shipping) on MLB.com and leave the warehouse in 2-3 weeks.

When I went to the Cubs game on April 4, I saw two Shelley Duncan T-shirts and a Tanyon Sturtze jersey.  Ironically enough, one of the Duncan shirts was in the same section as the Sturtze jersey!

Picture found on SI.com

‘The House that Mute Built’

That title came from Joel Sherman’s fingers in his latest column.

The claustrophobic feeling an opponent encountered in tough times is gone forever now. The upper deck no longer drapes over the action, but is rather higher and inclined away from the field. The bleachers -- and their creatures -- are now further recessed. The Yanks have played class warfare with their tickets and the result is that their most ardent fans -- those who helped create a 10th-man feel across the street -- will have to all bring microphones to be heard in full in this facility.

Those fans are rumors now to the visiting team. Indians starter Cliff Lee faced runners in scoring position in each of the first five innings. Yet the game might as well have been in Cleveland for all the hostility that reached him. On the other side of 161st Street, Lee would have been made to feel like a gladiator awaiting the lions, the fans in his ear, making him battle for concentration while also coping with the Yankees lineup.

And I agree with every word.

Listen, it’s no secret that the upper deck was pushed back.  We’ve seen the plans since 2006.  But to actually see and hear a real game yesterday was mind-boggling.

Another thing that stood out to me was the attendance figure.  Yesterday’s game was attended by 48,271 people.  Last year’s home opener drew over 55,000 people.  Games this year could be in 30,000s against a weak opponent on a weekday night game.  For a team that consistently drew 4 million people for the last few seasons of the old building, this is a scary thought.  I hope they realize what they’ve done.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Teixeira receives cortisone shot; Nady news

Peter Abraham updates us on both Mark Teixeira and Xavier Nady.

Mark Teixeira had a cortisone shot in his left wrist and was examined by a specialist before the game. He said the shot will “put me over the top.” Teixeira said he would be playing tomorrow.

Xavier Nady had a second x-ray today and will get a CT scan tomorrow on his right elbow. While he is on the 15-day disabled list, there seems to be at least some hope that his injury is not a completely torn ligament that will require a second Tommy John surgery.
...

“If there’s a way I can avoid that surgery again, that’s the route I want to take,” Nady said. “They’re taking all the tests they can and that’s good.”

Teixeira was pinch hit for by Melky Cabrera in the seventh inning, presumably because the score was 10-1.

Nady was introduced with the team before today’s game.  It was a little sad seeing him run out there, but hopefully he won’t need Tommy John surgery.

Help is near: A-Rod takes BP

Alex Rodriguez took 49 swings down in Tampa today, hitting three home runs during his first batting practice session since having hip surgery.

The Yankees keep saying Rodriguez’s target date is May 15, but Rodriguez still feels he can make his return before then.

This is good news, obviously, because Cody Ransom is 3-for-30 with 10 strikeouts and two errors.  He also left nine runners on base today.

How may I help you?

ept_sports_mlb_experts-760598664-1239911429Can you pitch out of the bullpen?

Yes, I’m still upset and very angry.

AP Photo found on Big League Stew

Yankees FML: April 16

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Time for our latest installment of Yankees FML:

Today, my bullpen gave up nine runs in the seventh inning to spoil our home opener in the brand new Yankee Stadium.  Our memories of this day will always be tainted.  FML

What a disaster

That is all I have to say.

Nice job of ruining everyone’s memories of opening day in the new Yankee Stadium, Jose Veras and Damaso Marte.

Game 10: Indians at Yankees

Cleveland Indians (2-7) New York Yankees (5-4)
Grady Sizemore CF Derek Jeter SS
Mark DeRosa 3B Johnny Damon LF
Victor Martinez 1B Mark Teixeira 1B
Jhonny Peralta SS Nick Swisher RF
Shin-Soo Choo DH Jorge Posada C
Ben Francisco RF Robinson Cano 2B
Kelly Shoppach C Hideki Matsui DH
Tony Graffanino 2B Cody Ransom 3B
Trevor Crowe LF Brett Gardner CF


Cliff Lee LHP (0-2, 9.90 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia LHP (1-1, 4.50 ERA)

Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES, MLBN
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM 176

Indians vs. Sabathia

  • DeRosa: 2-9
  • Graffanino: 4-14, 2B, 3 BB

Yankees vs. Lee

  • Jeter: 8-20, 3 2B, 4 RBI
  • Damon: 0-14, BB
  • Teixeira: 8-18, 4 2B, HR, 5 RBI
  • Swisher: 4-14, 2B, 3 BB
  • Posada: 3-15, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
  • Cano: 2-13, RBI
  • Matsui: 4-12, 2 2B, BB

Notes: Xavier Nady has been placed on the disabled list, according to Noah Coslov of MLB.com.  Joe Girardi isn’t sure if it’ll be of the 15-day or 60-day variety.  RHP David Robertson has been recalled. … Lee is 3-3 with a 5.63 ERA in seven starts against the Yankees.  He was 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA in four starts at the Old Yankee Stadium. … Sabathia has never faced the Indians.  He was 1-4 with an 8.61 ERA at the old Yankee Stadium in five starts and 23 innings.

YES Network’s coverage begins at 11:30 a.m.

Home cooking

The Yankees have won 11 straight home openers dating back to 1998.  Their last loss came on April 11, 1997 against Oakland when they fell 3-1.

David Cone, who will take part in the pregame ceremonies today, struck out 12 in seven shutout innings and left with a 1-0 lead.  However, Mariano Rivera blew that lead in the ninth, surrendering a leadoff home run to Mark McGwire.  They would go on to lose in the 12th inning, when Jeff Nelson, who had already pitched two innings, gave up two runs.  Ironically enough, Scott Brosius drove in Oakland’s second run in that inning.

And even more ironic, Jason Giambi played left field for the A’s, going 1-for-4 with a walk.

The 11-game winning streak for home openers is a major league record, according to Elias.  The Yankees’ victory last year broke a tie with the 1945-54 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Some other interesting nuggets from today’s game notes:

Yogi Berra is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the seventh time in a home opener, and is one of eight former Yankees to have such an honor.  Only Joe DiMaggio (nine) has thrown more first pitches.

Derek Jeter was the last Yankee to bat at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21.  He is scheduled to bat leadoff today.  Jeter and three others (Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui) were in the lineup for the final game at Yankee Stadium last season and will be in the lineup today.

The Yankees defeated Boston on April 18, 1923 4-1, winning the first home opener in Yankee Stadium.  They defeated Minnesota on April 15, 1976 to win the first home opener in the remodeled Yankee Stadium.

The Empire State Building will be lit up blue and white in honor of today’s game.

This is the first time since 2000 (Comerica Park in Detroit) that a new park will be opened in the American League.  Nine National League teams have opened stadiums during that span.

Yankees lineup in 1923:

Whitey Witt – CF
Joe Dugan – 3B
Babe Ruth – RF
Wally Pipp – 1B
Bob Meusel – LF
Wally Schang – C
Aaron Ward – 2B
Everett Scott – SS
Bob Shawkey – RHP

The Yankees were 4,133-2,430-17 in the original Yankee Stadium.

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (5-4) begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians (2-7) at Yankee Stadium this afternoon.  The pitching matchups are:

Today – 1:05 p.m., YES, MLBN
Cliff Lee
– LHP (0-2, 9.90 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia – LHP (1-1, 4.50 ERA)

Tomorrow – 1:05 p.m., YES
Anthony Reyes
– RHP (1-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. Joba Chamberlain – RHP (0-0, 1.50 ERA)

Saturday – 3:40 p.m., FOX
Fausto Carmona
– RHP (0-2, 9.00 ERA) vs. Chien-Ming Wang – RHP (0-2, 28.93 ERA)

Sunday – 1:05 p.m., YES, TBS
Carl Pavano
– RHP (0-2, 16.71 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett – RHP (2-0, 2.70 ERA)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Games to still be shot through net

IMG_1802

The netting behind home plate will be in every
camera shot of batted balls in Yankee Stadium this season.
-Photo by Andrew Fletcher

After watching the first of two exhibition games against the Cubs on YES, I noticed that the reports of the cameras shooting through the netting behind home plate were accurate.

And according to The Times’ Richard Sandomir, they will continue to shoot through the net.

On replays of Mark Teixeira’s two home runs, the home plate camera was used to show the balls soar into the stands. As it zoomed in, the netting grew increasingly vivid and annoying.

The home plate view, combined with the omission of two traditional low camera positions that looked up the baselines at the old stadium, cannot produce an optimum broadcast.

If any debate existed between the Yankees and YES, the network lost it. To avoid the netting, YES could move its camera to a higher deck — although it has no doubt thought of that — but that would produce a worse shot and require taking seats out of circulation.

Right now, the Yankees think the problem is not a big one — but viewers will ultimately decide that. “Like everything we do, we’re always looking for ways to improve,” Randy Levine, the Yankees’ president, said Wednesday. “But as of today, we believe this is not a major issue. Safety is more important, and we’re fine with this.”

Sandomir notes that Citi Field’s protective netting is “nearly transparent from a distance” and suggests that the Yankees could examine what they have done.

The organization has built this “palace.”  Too bad the games being played in it will look absolutely awful on television.

Opening Day plans surface

The Yankees released their Opening Day plans this evening.  The gates open at 10 a.m. and fans are asked to be in their seats at noon.  The West Point Marching Band will be playing John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Washington Post March” at 12:10 p.m.  These pieces were performed with Sousa in 1923 at the first Opening Day in the original Yankee Stadium.

A 75-foot-by-150-foot flag will be unfurled and the National Anthem will be sung by Kelly Clarkson.

Home plate and the pitching rubber used in tomorrow’s game will be the same set that was used during Yankee Stadium’s final game last season.

Yogi Berra will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and more than 40 ex-Yankees will be on hand (the complete list can be seen by clicking the above link).

Oh yeah, and all fans will receive a commemorative pin!

Hope everyone enjoys tomorrow.  It will certainly be historic and something to remember forever.