Letdown: After Boston sweep, Yanks fall to Jays 5-4

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

They say momentum is as good as your next day’s starting pitcher. Coming off a dramatic four-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox, Sergio Mitre was tapped to start against the Toronto Blue Jays Monday night at Yankee Stadium. That said, he did not provide much momentum for the New York Yankees, the first-place team in the American League East looking to extend their winning streak to eight games.

Mitre gave up five runs (three earned) over five innings in the team’s 5-4 loss. Though he struck out six and only walked one, he was undone by his own doing. In the top of the fourth, he fielded a comebacker off the bat of Jose Bautista. He then proceeded to throw wildly to second, which allowed a run to score. Though Cano was charged with the error, the throw was wide. That opened the door to a three-run Blue Jays inning.

The Yankees got on the board in the first right off the bat when Derek Jeter led off with a home run. Mitre had struck out the side a half-inning earlier despite allowing two hits. He then struck out two batters in the top of the second and looked to be well on the way to a quality inning. However, he allowed a two-out solo home run in the third to Aaron Hill to tie the game.

New York took the lead right back on Nick Swisher’s sacrifice fly after Jeter took third on catcher Rod Barajas‘ throwing error during a stolen base attempt. But after the top of the fourth, the Jays had a 4-2 lead behind starter Marc Rzepczynski.

Rzepczynski faltered in the bottom half of the frame, allowing back-to-back home runs to Robinson Cano and Jerry Hairston Jr. to start the inning to tie the game at 4.

Despite Mitre’s struggles in the fourth, he was allowed to continue. After recording successive groundouts, he served up a solo home run to Lyle Overbay that hit off the back wall of the Yankees’ bullpen. The bomb gave the Jays a 5-4 lead, the eventual final score.

Alfredo Aceves pitched the final four innings for the Yankees, throwing 42 pitches and only allowing two hits.

Jeter finished with three hits from the leadoff spot with two runs scored. Cano went 2-for-4.

The Yankees will look to rebound tomorrow night with Joba Chamberlain on the hill against Scott Richmond.

Update: According to Yankees.com beat writer Bryan Hoch, the error originally charged to Cano was changed to Mitre.

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (69-42) begin a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (53-57) at Yankee Stadium tonight. The pitching matchups are:

Tonight - 7:05 p.m., YES
Mark Rzepczynski - LHP (1-3, 3.74 ERA) vs. Sergio Mitre - RHP (1-0, 7.50 ERA)

Tomorrow - 7:05 p.m., my9
Scott Richmond - RHP (6-6, 3.97 ERA) vs. Joba Chamberlain - RHP (8-2, 3.73 ERA)

Wednesday - 1:05 p.m., YES
Ricky Romero - LHP (10-5, 3.66 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett - RHP (10-5, 3.67 ERA)

Rejoice, Yankees fans

Cody Ransom has cleared waivers and will join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tonight.

Sweep success

One of my friends had an extra ticket to last night's game, so I was able to take in all the action in the expensive field level seats down the left field line. The area had waiter service and padded seats, but I digress.

The game was absolutely incredible and the atmosphere was great. It really felt like we were watching old playoff games in the old Stadium. As critical as I have been of the crowds and the Stadium itself, the fans really came out this series.

When Victor Martinez hit his two-run home run in the eighth, despite cursing Joe Girardi and Phil Coke, I never had the feeling that the game was actually over. This year, the way the Yankees have won games, they have given us reason to believe. I haven't felt this great about a Yankees team since the dynasty years.

By no means am I saying "Get the ticker tape ready," but the confidence I have in this team getting to that point is great. For someone as pessimistic as I usually am, this is a stunning development.

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

CC Sabathia and the Yankees shut out the Boston Red Sox for the second straight day, this time defeating them 5-0.  Read all about it on YanksBlog.com.

What a game, and thoughts on Ortiz

Five-and-a-half hours later, the Yankees were able to extend their lead over the Red Sox to 4.5 games when Alex Rodriguez broke a scoreless tie with a two-run shot in the 15th inning.

But for me, the story was A.J. Burnett.  Yes, he walked six, but he one-hit the Red Sox over 7 2/3 innings.

After a game the saw 19 runs the night before, this game was refreshing.  You just can’t predict baseball, Suzyn.

And this brings me to David Ortiz’s press conference from this afternoon.  What a joke that was.  Ortiz said nothing, and the Players Association made it more about itself and the list than it did about Ortiz.  Then I hear Eduardo Perez on ESPN saying he was honest and genuine.  How disgusting.

Where was this support for Rodriguez?  Many know I’m not his biggest fan, but he was seemingly more honest and genuine.  I’m disgusted.

Game 109: Red Sox at Yankees

Boston Red Sox (62-45)	New York Yankees (66-42)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF	Derek Jeter SS
Dustin Pedroia 2B	Johnny Damon LF
Victor Martinez 1B	Mark Teixeira 1B
Kevin Youkilis 3B	Alex Rodriguez 3B
David Ortiz DH	Hideki Matsui DH
J.D. Drew RF	Jorge Posada C
Jason Varitek C	Robinson Cano 2B
Josh Reddick LF	Nick Swisher RF
Nick Green SS	Melky Cabrera CF

Josh Beckett RHP (13-4, 3.27 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett RHP (10-5, 3.89 ERA)

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

Red Sox vs. Burnett

• Ellsbury: 5-18, HR, RBI
• Pedroia: 6-22, 2 HR, 4 RBI
• Martinez: 3-12, 2B
• Youkilis: 6-23, 2 RBI
• Ortiz: 7-27, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI
• Drew: 6-20, 2 2B, 3 RBI
• Varitek: 5-18, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI
• Green: 3-10, 2B, 3B, RBI

Yankees vs. Beckett

• Jeter: 14-44, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
• Damon: 12-41, 5 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI
• Teixeira: 2-13
• Rodriguez: 11-36, 3 2B, HR, 7 RBI
• Matsui: 4-20, 3B
• Posada: 9-28, 2B, 3 RBI
• Cano: 13-38, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI
• Swisher: 5-16, HR, 2 RBI
• Cabrera: 12-35, 3 2B, 4 RBI

Busy afternoon today.  First, the Yankees recalled Ramiro Pena from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and sent down Anthony Claggett. Meanwhile, the Oakland A’s released Jason Giambi and last night’s starter John Smoltz was designated for assignment by the Red Sox.

It's about time

Calling John Smoltz a shell of his former self would be an insult to shells.

I figured it was a good signing because He Knows How To Win® and He Hasn't Forgotten How To Pitch®, but with each successive start, it's looking like he doesn't and he has.

The Yankees were able to power their way to victory last night, despite Joba Chamberlain's career-high seven walks, to extend their lead over the Red Sox in the division to 3.5 games. At only 1-8 against their archrivals, that's remarkable.

A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett get the nods at the Stadium tonight. Step on their throats, Yankees.

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (65-42) begin a four-game series at Yankee Stadium against the Boston Red Sox (62-44). The pitching matchups are:

Tonight - 7:05 p.m., My9/MLBN
John Smoltz - RHP (2-4, 7.12 ERA) vs. Joba Chamberlain - RHP (7-2, 3.58 ERA)

Tomorrow - 7:05 p.m., YES
Josh Beckett - RHP (13-4, 3.27 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett - RHP (10-5, 3.89 ERA)

Saturday - 4:10 p.m., Fox
Clay Buchholz - RHP (1-1, 6.05 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia - LHP (11-7, 3.95 ERA)

Sunday - 8:05 p.m., ESPN
Jon Lester - LHP (9-7, 3.79 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte - LHP (9-6, 4.35 ERA)

----

I apologize for neglecting the blog lately. It's really just been laziness on my part. But I figured there's no better time to return than the present.

Follow me throughout the course of this series, the rest of the season and any time in between on Twitter: (@fletch788).

NY Times: Ortiz, Ramirez on 2003 steroid list

According to The New York Times, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are on the infamous 2003 list of failed drug tests.

Oh happy day! I was giddy when Ramirez tested positive earlier this year, and I'm even giddier right now.

This is bad for baseball, sure. It's bad that they cheated and it's bad that the names have been leaked by lawyers cherry picking the most popular players.

However, in terms of the New York/Boston rivalry, this is great. After hearing all of the "steroids" chants at Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi, Yankees fans finally have some fodder as well.

This all said, release the entire list. From the potential Hall of Famers to the utility infielders, all of the names must be released.

Joba rolls over Rays

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

Joba Chamberlain pitched eight shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night, leading the Yankees to a 6-2 victory.  With the win, the Yankees took the three-game series against the defending American League champions.

Chamberlain threw 101 pitches over his eight innings, striking out five and walking two.  He has won each of his three starts since the All-Star break to improve to 7-2 on the season.

The Yankees got on the board in the first inning when Mark Teixeira hit an RBI single to drive in Derek Jeter, who led off the game with a triple.  They’d score another run in the fourth on Robinson Cano’s RBI groundout.

Robinson Cano added a solo home run in the sixth to extend the Yankees’ lead to 3-0, and the Yankees would get another in the eighth on a Jorge Posada RBI single.

The 4-0 seemed to be enough with the way Chamberlain was pitching, but for good measure, Melky Cabrera and Mark Teixeira hit solo home runs in the top of the ninth.

That gave the Yankees much-needed breathing room, because Brian Bruney struggled mightily in the bottom of the ninth when he entered with a 6-0 lead.  Carl Crawford led off with a triple.  Evan Longoria followed that up with a two-run home run.  After a one-out double, manager Joe Girardi summoned Mariano Rivera, his trusted closer, to put out the fire.

The Yankees are back to 23 games over .500 and are now 3.5 games ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East after their loss against Oakland tonight.  The Yankees begin a four-game series in Chicago tomorrow night.

Another Twitter service announcement

For reasons beyond my control, I was forced to make a new Twitter account.  I can now be followed at @fletch788.

So please follow me back, and I hope this is the last of my Twitter problems.

Kazmir dominates Yankees in Rays’ 6-2 victory

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

Tampa Bay Rays starter Scott Kazmir allowed one earned run over seven innings as the Rays were able to stop the surging Yankees 6-2 Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

CC Sabathia struggled through his 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits.  He wasn’t helped when Derek Jeter overthrew first base in the second inning, but he didn’t have his best stuff all night.

Hideki Matsui drove in both of the Yankees runs on a single and a double, but the Rays were able to get to Sabathia.

B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford and Ben Zobrist each had two hits.  Evan Longoria added a solo home run off Sabathia in the fifth inning.

Mark Melancon appeared in his first game since July 10.  He pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing only one hit.

After the game, the Yankees learned that starter Chien-Ming Wang will need shoulder surgery and will be out for the rest of the season.

Joba Chamberlain starts tomorrow night as the Yankees will look the take the rubber game.

Yankees roll over Rays 11-4

(Originally posted by Baseball Digest)

The New York Yankees hit four home runs and each starter had at least one hit in their 11-4 victory of the Tampa Bay Rays Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Five of the Yankees’ starters had multi-hit games and starter A.J. Burnett gave up one run (zero earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking two.

The Yankees scored three runs in the second inning of James Shields.  Jorge Posada (double), Robinson Cano (triple) and Nick Swisher (groundout) had the RBI.  They would add two more runs in the sixth inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Cano and Swisher.  Swisher’s home run was his first of two on the night.  The shots gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead.

Tampa got a run back, as the Yankees traded a double play for a run.

Up 5-1, Alex Rodriguez, on his 34th birthday, hit a two-run double.

The 7-1 lead seemed comfortable, but reliever Jonathan Albaladejo, who was called up when Brett Gardner was placed on the disabled list, made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth.  Carl Crawford hit a sacrifice fly and Ben Zobrist hit an RBI single to cut the Yankees’ lead to 7-3.

However, the Yankees hit two more home runs in the top of the ninth against Brian Shouse to put the game out of reach.  Swisher hit his second home run of the game and Johnny Damon added a three-run home run to give the team an 11-3 lead.  Pat Burrell hit a solo home run in the ninth to reach the final score of 11-4.

The Yankees are now 61-38 and remain 2.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

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.

Gardner to DL with broken thumb

The news broke earlier this morning that Brett Gardner broke his left thumb during his takeout slide at second base yesterday afternoon.  He was put on the 15-day disabled list, with Jonathan Albaladejo taking his spot on the roster.

Peter Abraham says that have the extra pitcher up is temporary and they’ll add a position player in the next couple of days.  He suggests Austin Jackson, Shelley Duncan or John Rodriguez.

Gardner will be in a cast for two weeks.

I think if the Yankees call up Jackson, they feel that Gardner’s injury is more serious.

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

Andy Pettitte and Alfredo Aceves unraveled in the seventh inning of this afternoon’s 6-4 loss to the Oakland A’s at Yankee Stadium.

Read all about it on YanksBlog.com.

A note to my Twitter followers

As many of you know, I am on Twitter (@ProctorsArm).  A few days ago, my list of followers and people I follow got deleted. 

So if you previously followed me, please follow me back and I will return the favor.  Also, if you are just discovering my Twitter account, please also follow!  I don’t bite!

Tied for first

The Yankees and Red Sox are in a tie for first place in the AL East, 4.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays.

This is amazing, considering the Yankees are 0-8 against the Red Sox this season.  It kind of hurts thinking about where the Yankees would be if they won just a few of those games against their archrivals.

I forgot to mention this in the previous post, but how great were those two plays at home?  The fact that they came at the most crucial part of the game only added to them.

Matsui walks off

Hideki Matsui’s walk-off solo home run tonight gave the Yankees their third straight 2-1 victory and fourth straight win overall to reach 18 games over .500.

The Yankees have now hit five solo home runs over this span.

Andy Pettitte continued this stretch of solid starting pitching.  Though he didn’t factor into the decision, he struck out eight over 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and walking two.

Sergio Mitre makes his Yankees and team debut tomorrow night.