Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

CC Sabathia pitched seven shutout innings in the Yankees 3-0 victory over the Red Sox this afternoon.  Read all about it on YanksBlog.com.

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And on that note, I’d like to offer up an apology.  I obviously have not been blogging much this month.  I’ve been busy with school and the newspaper, and maintaining this site has been moved to my mental backburner.  I hope to write more as the playoffs are set to begin.

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

The Yankees lost to the Orioles for the second straight day, this time 7-3 with A.J. Burnett allowing two home runs and six runs in the second inning.  Read all about it at YanksBlog.com.

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)

Swisher walks off

Nick Swisher joined the long line of Yankees who have had walk-off hits this season.  Swisher hit a one-out solo home run to right against Dan Wheeler in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Yankees to a 3-2 victory.  They have now reached 90 wins and are 40 games above .500.

The home run, his 26th, was Swisher’s second of the game.  This was strange because he had only hit three previous home runs at Yankee Stadium this season.  He also homered from both sides of the plate.

Chad Gaudin allowed one earned runs and six hits over 6+ innings, striking out six.  Phil Hughes actually faltered in his inning of work, allowing a game-tying home run to Jason Bartlett in the eighth.  It was his first blown save of the season and it was the first earned run he allowed in a game since Aug. 4.

The Yankees will go for the four-game sweep of the Rays tomorrow night with Joba Chamberlain on the mound.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 6-4 Saturday afternoon.  Read my game recap over at YanksBlog.com.

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.

Yanks hit 5 home runs, win 9-6

Jorge Posada hit two home runs and drove in three runs in the Yankees’ 9-6 victory over Baltimore Tuesday night.  Robinson Cano, Eric Hinske and Nick Swisher joined in on the home run fun as well.

A.J. Burnett did not fare as well, allowing six runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.  He allowed a two-run home run to Felix Pie and a three-run home run Luke Scott.

Damaso Marte earned his first win of the season after retiring all three batters he faced.  David Robertson, Phil Coke and Mariano Rivera also had scoreless outings, with Rivera earning his 38th save of the season.

The Yankees will go for the sweep tomorrow night with CC Sabathia on the mound.

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

Teixeira, bullpen ensure sweep of White Sox

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

Mark Teixeira drove in four runs and the Yankees bullpen pitched six innings, allowing only one earned run, in the team’s 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Teixeira hit a sacrifice fly in the first and then hit a three-run home run in the five-run seventh inning to pass 100 RBI on the season.  He has now reached 30 home runs and 100 RBI in six straight seasons.

Starter Joba Chamberlain only went three innings, as the Yankees instituted their revised version of the “Joba Rules.”  They are essentially simulating spring training and will get him up and around 100 pitches near the end of the season.  He threw 35 pitches, allowing four hits and two earned runs.

Alfredo Aceves relieved Chamberlain, pitching three shutout innings, to earn his ninth win of the season.  Damaso Marte, David Robertson and Phil Hughes combined to pitch two shutout innings.  Phil Coke allowed a solo home run in the ninth.

On the offensive side, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada each had two hits, while Johnny Damon was the other Yankees aside from Teixeira to drive in more than one run (he hit a two-run home run in the third to give the Yankees the lead).  The home run, which was his 24th, ties a career-high.  Damon left the game in the seventh with cramping in both calves.

With the sweep of the White Sox, the Yankees are now 34 games over .500.  They now embark on a seven-game road trip with the first stop being in Baltimore for three games starting tomorrow night.

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin of all people one-hit the Chicago White Sox Saturday afternoon as the Yankees won 10-0.  Read all about it on YanksBlog.com.

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.

Walks ruin Burnett’s start, Yanks lose 7-2

A.J. Burnett was cruising well into the fourth inning Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium against the Texas Rangers.  In fact, he was perfect through 3 2/3 innings.  However, after two two-out walks, Burnett gave up a three-run home run to Ian Kinsler.  After that, the Rangers were well on their way to a 7-2 victory.

It wasn’t all Burnett’s fault.  The Yankees left 12 runners on base and couldn’t capitalize on starter Dustin Nippert’s seven walks.

Burnett was done after six innings.  He struck out a season-high 12 and only allowed two hits, but the three-run home run he allowed was more than enough to cause the defeat with the lack of run support he received.

Once Burnett was out, Phil Coke allowed a three-run home run to Nelson Cruz and Kinsler added his second home run of the game against David Robertson.

The Yankees will look to rebound tomorrow when they begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.  CC Sabathia gets the start.

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)

And that is why I hate the bunt

Frank Francisco is on the ropes and Nick Swisher, in his infinite wisdom, decides to give him a free out.  What a joke.

If Joe Girardi called that, he should be fired on the spot.  Even if he didn’t call it, Swisher squared up earlier in that at-bat.  He could’ve made it crystal clear that the bunt was not on.

What a terrible ending to an equally terrible game.

Update – 11:25 p.m.: During the postgame, Girardi said that he was trying to move the runners over and that Swisher has been a good bunter all year.

I can’t even begin to wrap my head around the idiocy of this move.

Pitiful performance by Chamberlain

Tonight’s start was emblematic of the way Joba Chamberlain has performed this season.  He nibbled too much tonight and could never put away the Rangers with two outs until they did their damage.

In four innings, Chamberlain allowed seven earned runs (all with two outs) on nine hits while walking three.  He also threw 96 pitches, 44 of which were thrown in the five-run fourth inning alone.  Oh, he also blew a 4-0 lead.

It’s getting to the point where the three dominant starts after the All-Star break were an aberration.

This is the kind of pitcher Chamberlain is this season.  And if the Yankees have to rely on him to pitch them out of a hole in October, I don’t have faith that he’ll deliver.

(Photo By Al Bello/Getty Images)

Beckett bombed in Yankees' 8-4 victory

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

The New York Yankees belted five home runs against Josh Beckett, a career high, Sunday night at Fenway Park in their 8-4 victory, to win the three-game series against their archrivals.

Derek Jeter led off the game with a home run and Hideki Matsui added two home runs to give him a total of four in this series. Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano also hit home runs.

CC Sabathia went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out eight to record his 15th victory of the season.

Beckett allowed eight runs and nine hits over eight innings, throwing 120 pitches. He has now given up 15 earned runs in his last 13 2/3 innings. The eight earned runs also tied a season high, which also came against the Yankees on April 25.

Phil Hughes struck out one and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 relief innings, and Mariano Rivera struck out two and walked one to close out the game in the ninth. Both pitchers hadn't pitched since Aug. 19.

After a day off on Monday, the Yankees will begin a three-game series at home against the Texas Rangers.

AP Photo

Saturday YanksBlog.com game recap

A.J. Burnett can’t pitch in Fenway.  That is all.  Here is my YanksBlog.com game recap.

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)

Teixeira drives in all 3 in Yanks' victory

Ho-hum, the Yankees win another series. But what made last night's 3-2 win against the Oakland A's interesting was that Chad Gaudin started, allowing no runs and one hit, but only pitched 4 1/3 innings. He was removed by Joe Girardi, later citing his pitch count (91), largely due to his five walks, as the reason he was taken out and not because he loaded the bases.

Alfredo Aceves relieved him and quickly induced a 1-2-3 double play to end Oakland's threat.

The Yankees were up 3-0 thanks to an RBI groundout and two-run home run from Mark Teixeira who is now at 89 RBI on the season.

After Aceves got out of the fifth inning, he allowed a solo home run to Jack Cust in the sixth and gave up three hits (including an RBI single from Mark Ellis) before being removed. Phil Coke, Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera combined to record the final seven outs of the game, with the latter earning his 36th save.

The Yankees are off today before beginning a three-game series in Boston tomorrow.

CC cruises to victory

Despite allowing solo home runs to Kurt Suzuki and someone named Tommy Everidge in the first two innings, CC Sabathia was able to recover and dominate the Oakland Athletics over his next six innings to record his 14th victory of the season. The Yankees defeated the A's by a score of 7-2, as Oakland committed four errors.

Derek Jeter recorded his third straight three-hit game in the process, raising his team-leading batting average to .330. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera also added two hits apiece.

The game was tied at 2 until the sixth inning, when the Yankees broke the game open with five runs on four hits against Jay Marshall and Santiago Casilla.

The Yankees stay seven games ahead of Boston after they defeated Toronto last night 10-9. Chad Gaudin takes the hill for the Yankees in tonight's rubber game. First pitch is slated for 10:05 p.m.