Jeter ties Gehrig, Yanks sweep Rays

Derek Jeter’s 3-for-4 night put him in a tie with Lou Gehrig for first place on the Yankees’ all-time hits list with 2,721.  He had been hitless in his previous three games.  As for the team, the Yankees scored four in the eighth to defeat Tampa Bay 4-2 Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Joba Chamberlain only lasted three innings, throwing 56 pitches and allowing two earned runs and three hits.

The three hits and two runs allowed were recorded in the first inning, meaning the Tampa Bay Rays were no-hit over the final 8 2/3 innings.

Jorge Posada hit a go-ahead pinch-hit three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to lead the Yankees to victory.

The Yankees were able to avoid using Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera in the ninth.  Brian Bruney got the first two outs, while Phil Coke earned the save by striking out the only batter he faced.

New York is now 91-50 and will begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Posada drives in 4 as Yankees win another

(Originally written for Baseball Digest)

Jorge Posada went 4-for-5 with a home run, double and four RBI in the Yankees' 10-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday night at Rogers Centre.  Alfredo Aceves picked up his 10th win of the season with 2 1/3 innings of relief.

The Yankees scored four quick runs in the first inning against starter Ricky Romero.  With the bases loaded, Hideki Matsui singled.  Three runs scored, aided by Travis Snider's fielding error. As a result, Matsui was only credited with one RBI.  Posada followed with an RBI single of his own to increase the lead to 4-0.

Chad Gaudin couldn't escape the fourth inning, allowing three earned runs while only retiring 11 batters.  With one out in the fourth, Gaudin allowed three singles, he hit a batter and allowed a sacrifice fly to cut the Yankees' lead to 5-3.

Aceves entered in relief and allowed two runs (one earned) in his 2 1/3 innings of work.  David Robertson, Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte each followed with a scoreless inning of work apiece.

In addition to Posada's four RBI, Alex Rodriguez drove in two runs on two hits, including a solo home run in the ninth.

The Yankees have now won seven games in a row and are 38 games over .500.  Joba Chamberlain takes the hill tomorrow night in Toronto.

Pettitte nearly perfect, Yanks win 5-1

Andy Pettitte carried a perfect game into the seventh inning Monday night at Camden Yards.  However, Jerry Hairston Jr. let a ball go through his legs for an error and Nick Markakis then followed with a single to left to end the no-hit bid.  No worries, though, as the Yankees, behind Nick Swisher, won 5-1.

Pettitte allowed two hits and one earned run over eight innings, striking out eight.  He finished the month of August with a 4-0 record in six starts.

Swisher went 3-for-4 with two RBI and was a triple shy of the cycle.  The solo home run he hit in the third inning was his 22nd of the year.  Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 and also  had two RBI.  His two-run double in the eighth gave the Yankees some valuable insurance runs.

Mariano Rivera had to come in for the final two outs because Brian Bruney walked a batter and allowed a hit.  The save was Rivera’s 37th of the season.

The Yankees are now 35 games above .500 and hold a 6.5-game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.  A.J. Burnett gets the start tomorrow night in Baltimore.

AP Photo

Cano walks off

Robinson Cano hit a walk-off three-run home run in the 10th inning to defeat the Chicago White Sox 5-2 Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

The duel between CC Sabathia and Mark Buehrle lived up to the hype for the most part.  Sabathia struck out 10 through seven and Buehrle only allowed two solo home runs – from Derek Jeter to lead off the game and Johnny Damon in the third inning – over six innings.

Sabathia had a 2-0 lead until the seventh.  But Jermaine Dye led off with a double, Carlos Quentin walked and Alex Rios hit an RBI double to cut the lead to 2-1.  After a line out, Alex Rodriguez, with Ramon Castro batting, made a nice throw home to cut down the lead runner at the plate.  He also saved another run when he made a diving stab at third to hold Jayson Nix to a leadoff single.  Gordon Beckham then singled to right to tie the game at 2, but Nick Swisher’s throw home beat Castro to the plate for the third out of the inning.

After that, it was a battle of the bullpens.  Phil Hughes, Mariano Rivera and Brian Bruney each pitched scoreless innings, while Matt Thornton and Scott Linebrink combined for three shutout innings as well.

But in the bottom of the 10th, Randy Williams walked two batters with two outs before Cano came out.  He then belted one into the Yankees’ bullpen in right center to win the game.

The Yankees have now reached 80 wins with tonight’s victory.  Sergio Mitre will start tomorrow’s game, with first pitch at 1:05 p.m.

Yanks turn 3 double plays behind Pettitte, win 9-2

(Originally written for Baseball Digest)

When Andy Pettitte loaded the bases with Texas Rangers with one out in the top of the first, it didn't look like he would be long for Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium.  However, he was able to induce a 5-4-3 double play with Ivan Rodriguez at the plate to end the threat.  After a Jorge Posada three-run home run against Texas starter Derek Holland in the bottom half of the frame, the Yankees were on their way to a 9-2 victory.

Jerry Hairston Jr. added a solo home run in the fourth, and his 12-pitch at-bat in the seventh inning helped start the Yankees' five-run rally after Robinson Cano led off with a double.

Pettitte went seven strong, allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three.  He threw 103 pitches and was aided by three double plays behind him.  The Yankees would turn another with Brian Bruney pitching in relief.

In addition to Posada's three RBI, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira drove in two runs apiece, while Hideki Matsui and Cano were the only Yankees with multi-hit games.

It wasn't all good news for New York.  Posada left the game in the top of the eighth after taking a foul tip off his glove hand.  X-rays were negative, and the team's report is that he aggravated his ring finger.  The Boston Red Sox also won on David Ortiz's walk-off home run.

The Yankees will look to take this three-game series tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1:05.  A.J. Burnett will get the start.

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Matsui drives in 7 in 20-11 victory

Hideki Matsui hit a pair of three-run home runs and every Yankee who played the majority of the game drove in at least one run in the Yankees’ 20-11 victory over the Boston Red Sox Friday night at Fenway Park.

As the score suggests, there was a lot of hitting and very little pitching.  Andy Pettitte only went 5+ innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits.  Brian Bruney, while not charged with any runs, walked three and hit a batter while the Yankees had a large lead.

Alex Rodriguez added four hits and an RBI while Derek Jeter (3-for-6, two RBI) recorded his sixth straight multi-hit game.  Over that span, he has also had four games of three hits.  Mark Teixeira also had a three-hit game with three RBI.

The majority of the Yankees’ runs were scored against starter Brad Penny (eight earned runs on 10 hits over four innings) and Michael Bowden, who allowed seven earned runs and eight hits in only two innings.

Overall, the Yankees recorded 23 hits, including eight doubles.

It wasn’t all fun and games for the Yankees’ offense.  Johnny Damon fouled a ball off his leg and had to leave the game.  He was replaced by Eric Hinske in left field.  The team called it a bruise and he’s day-to-day.

The Yankees’ lead over Boston is now 7.5 games.  They’ll do it again tomorrow afternoon at 4:10 p.m.  A.J. Burnett and Junichi Tazawa each get the ball for their respective teams.

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Yankees rally in sixth to cap 9-1 homestand

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

The Yankees came from behind twice Sunday afternoon to defeat the Oakland Athletics 7-5 and cap a 9-1 homestand that saw the team reach 22 games over .500.

The A’s scored quickly against starter Sergio Mitre in the first inning.  Orlando Cabrera hit a one-out single and, after he stole scored, scored on Scott Hairston’s double.  Hairston would then score on catcher Kurt Suzuki’s single to give the A’s a 2-0 lead.

However, the Yankees came right back, scoring four in the bottom of the first inning.  Hideki Matsui hit a two-out RBI single to halve Oakland’s lead.  Two batters later, Robinson Cano cleared the bases with a three-run double into the gap.  He then overslid third and was tagged out.  Nevertheless, the Yankees had a 4-2 lead.

Oakland got one run back in the fourth inning on Mark Ellis’ sacrifice fly.  However, Mitre was able to escape further trouble by inducing a double play to end the threat.  This cut the Yankees’ lead to 4-3.

After giving up a leadoff single in the sixth inning, Mitre was pulled.  He gave up nine hits and four earned runs in 5+ innings, striking out one and walking none.  After retiring the first two batters he faced, Phil Coke gave up a two-run home run to Ellis to give Oakland a 5-4 lead.

The Yankees roared right back in the bottom half of the inning.  Melky Cabrera walked with one out and third baseman Cody Ransom doubled.  Derek Jeter followed with a two-run single to center to put the Yankees back ahead 6-5.  Jeter was picked off, but Johnny Damon doubled and was driven home by Mark Teixeira to give the Yankees another insurance run at 7-5.

Phil Hughes pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief before being bullpen for Brian Bruney when he ran into trouble.  Bruney struck out his only batter and was replaced by Mariano Rivera, who retired all four batters he faced.  The save was Rivera’s 29th of the year.

Boston lost their game this afternoon, so the Yankees are back on top of the AL East by 2.5 games.  The Yankees begin a three-game series in Tampa tomorrow night.

Rivera saves 500th, drives in run as Yanks sweep Mets

(Originally written for Baseball Digest)

Mariano Rivera entered Sunday night's game at Citi Field in search of one milestone.  When the game was over, he came away with two milestones: his 500th career save and his first career RBI.  Yes, I said RBI.

Rivera, who entered with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, drew a based loaded walk against Mets' closer Francisco Rodriguez in the top of the ninth inning.  The run gave the Yankees valuable insurance headed into the bottom of the frame.  Rivera wouldn't need it, however, as he was able to nail down the Yankees' 4-2 victory to sweep their first series at Citi Field.

Another story seemingly lost in all this (as Rebecca pointed out on Twitter) is that Chien-Ming Wang picked up his first win of 2009.  But how did we get here?

The Yankees got on the board early and often in the first inning against starter Livan Hernandez.  Derek Jeter, playing in his first game of the series, led off with a double off the left field wall.  Nick Swisher then grounded to first, but Daniel Murphy threw to third in an attempt to get Jeter.  It turned out to be a mistake, as both runners were safe.  Mark Teixeira followed with a two-run double and Alex Rodriguez walked.  Robinson Cano was up next, and was bailed out by another Murphy miscue.  He grounded into a sure double play, but Murphy dropped the ball at first.  Jorge Posada hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in the Yankees' third run.

Wang wasn't great, but he pitched a season-high 5 1/3 innings.  He allowed four hits, two earned runs and three walks while striking out three.  He gave up his runs in the fourth inning on a Fernando Martinez RBI double and a Luis Castillo RBI single.

Wang was relieved by Phil Coke and Phil Hughes in the sixth inning.  Hughes would also go on to pitch a scoreless seventh before being replaced by Brian Bruney in the eighth.  Bruney's control failed him, as only six of his 15 pitches went for strikes.  This caused Rivera to be brought in for a four-out save.  But that's where the fun began.

Posada reached on another botched pop up by the Mets with Rodriguez on the mound.  Eventually, the Yankees loaded the bases on walks, bringing up Rivera with the bases loaded and two outs.  He only swung at one pitch and had a full count before taking a pitch inside for the walk.

Rivera only gave up a two-out single in the ninth before inducing a grounder to second for the third and final out.  His 500th career save was his 18th of 2009 in 19 chances.

After a day off Monday, the Yankees will begin a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at home.  Joba Chamberlain takes the ball in Game 1.

Principal Cano goes 4-4, Yankees win

Robinson Cano, who served as principal of PS 55 for the day, went 4-for-4 with two RBI – including the game-winning RBI – in the Yankees’ 5-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Things were kind of hairy for a while when CC Sabathia gave up a three-run home run to Anderson Hernandez, the 16-46 Nationals’ No. 9 hitter.  Hernandez only had one career home run going into that bat, and that home run came in 2006!

But alas, the Yankees were able to come back due to big hits by Mark Teixeira and Cano as well as bad center field play by Elijah Dukes.

Sabathia went 7 2/3 innings and dominated the game otherwise.  He threw 109 pitches while striking out two and walking one.  Brian Bruney made his return, retiring the only batter he faced.  Mariano Rivera then came in and pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save of the season.

Chien-Ming Wang gets the start tomorrow night.

News items: Bruney, Veras, Wang, Sosa

Brian Bruney was activated earlier today, meaning that Jose Veras was designated for assignment. (Ed. note: Hooray!)

Chien-Ming Wang and his wife Chia-Ling gave birth to a son today.  No, the child’s name does not contain a “Ch-” or a “-ng.”  They named him “Justin Jesse.”  Yes, really.

And finally, Sammy Sosa reportedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.  I say: “good.”

Dear Brian Bruney

Dear Brian Bruney,

Shut up.  Just shut up.

To refresh everyone’s memory, this is what Bruney said about Francisco Rodriguez after pitching in Trenton:

“Couldn’t have happened to a better guy on the mound, either. He’s got a tired act,” Bruney said. “He gets what he deserves, man. I just don’t like watching the guy pitch. I think it’s embarrassing.”

How about you actually help your team before you start putting your foot in your mouth?  The man they call K-Rod, obviously, is none too pleased.  I don’t really care how he feels, but the Yankees are in no position to be talking at all.

Oh, and manager Joe Girardi, the one who is supposed to be setting an example, called out Brad Penny for hitting Alex Rodriguez.

Now we know where the players get it from.  Word of advice: open your mouths after you beat Boston for once and legitimately beat the Mets.

I’m all for a team having a certain swagger and an attitude, but there is a time and a place.  Right now, this team is playing horrible baseball.  They have no right to say anything.

Bruney to see Dr. Andrews

The news just gets worse for Brian Bruney.  The relief pitcher is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, Tyler Kepner reports.

Bruney may have rushed himself back, and Joe Girardi is none too pleased.

“I just think he wasn’t totally forthright in how he was feeling,” Girardi said. “We’ve had many talks with him over the last couple of weeks about how you have to tell us exactly what’s going on. It could be that by rushing himself back, he’s never given himself the amount of time he’s needed.”

The Yankees called up David Robertson after this afternoon’s game and he will be up with the team in time for tonight’s game.

Kepner mentions Huston Street as a potential trade target.  Street is 7-for-7 in save opportunities for the last-place Colorado Rockies, allowing seven earned runs in 18 1/3 innings.

I’m not sure it’s time to start looking outside of the organization for help.  However, that day will probably end up coming sooner or later.

Albaladejo optioned, Bruney has MRI

To make room for Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees optioned Jonathan Albaladejo to Triple-A, according to Bryan Hoch.  Albaladejo pitched 2 1/3 innings and threw 35 pitches last night, so he most likely wouldn’t be available tonight anyway.

However, the Yankees received bad news today, as Brian Bruney will not be available tonight.  He had an MRI on his arm that came back negative.

Wang to be in Yankees’ bullpen tonight

Mark Feinsand reports that the Yankees – and Chien-Ming Wang – have had a change of plans after Joba Chamberlain went down in the first inning last night.

According to Feinsand’s source, Wang, who was headed to Pawtucket, R.I., for a rehab start, was ordered to turn around and head back to New York.  He will be in the bullpen tonight as the long reliever.

The Yankees had to pitch 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen last night, and Alfredo Aceves has thrown 5 1/3 innings the last two games.  However, if A.J. Burnett gives the Yankees depth tonight, the staff should be fine, as Brian Bruney didn’t pitch last night.

Cashman talks Wang, Bruney

Chien-Ming Wang and Brian Bruney both pitched in Scranton today, as discussed below.  Brian Cashman was on hand and spoke to Chad Jennings after.

First, on Wang:

“Performance-wise he was terrific," Cashman said. "This was a much better hitting club. Columbus is a much better offensive club than the team he was facing last time, but his stuff was better last time, to be honest, although he performed great in both outings. He didn’t have the slider that he had last time. His changeup was better today than last time. His fastball velocity was a little bit lower this time than it was last time.

At the same time, he handled the lineup and got a lot of groundballs. Facing guys like Hafner kind of tells you a little something you want to know. I think he had some groundouts and that broken-bat single to center. I know Hafner is on a rehab assignment and he’s a guy who can really do some damage if you’re making mistakes, not making some pitches, and (Wang) made his pitches. That tells you a lot.”

And Bruney:

“He looked healthy, which is the biggest thing for him,” Cashman said. “Unlike Wang, he’s coming off of an elbow injury, so you want to see health. And I saw health.”

Wang, Bruney pitch in Scranton

Chien-Ming Wang and Brian Bruney each pitched for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this afternoon.  Wang started Game 1 of the doubleheader, while Bruney started Game 2.

Wang pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout, throwing 75 pitches, striking out one and walking none.  He allowed four hits and 12 of the 21 outs he recorded were on the ground.  He hasn’t allowed a run in 13 innings for the Triple-A club.

Bruney pitched the first inning in Game 2, allowing a run on two hits (one of which was an infield hit).  Chad Jennings said Bruney reached 94 mph three times.  Yesterday, we learned Bruney could return as early as Tuesday if all went well during this outing.

With Phil Hughes not exactly pitching well, I wouldn’t be at all shocked if Wang gets the ball in his place.

Posada to the DL

Jorge Posada re-aggravated a hamstring injury when sliding into second base last night.  He was set to have an MRI today, and obviously the results were bad enough to warrant a trip to the disabled list, according to Sweeny Murti on WFAN.

Posada joins Damaso Marte, Cody Ransom, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang and Xavier Nady as Yankees who were placed on the disabled list during the regular season.  Alex Rodriguez has been injured since spring training.

This is bad news all around.  The Yankees obviously missed Posada last year, and will continue to miss him while he’s out this year.

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.

Melancon also called up

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.

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.