Elliot Johnson Finally Pays Off Debt, Yankees Back in 1st

Let's go into the way back machine, back to Spring Training, March 8, 2008. Yankees playing the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa. Elliot Johnson of the Rays races to the plate and barrels over and through Yankees up and coming catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Cervelli's wrist was broken, Joe Girardi was livid, and Joe Maddon and the Rays made a statement that they weren't going to be stepped on any more. The play led to an eventual brawl when Shelley Duncan slid in spikes high on Akinori Iwamura four days later. Cervelli's season was pretty much done- he was limited to just 27 games in the minor leagues in 2008.

It took four years, but Elliot Johnson finally said he was sorry. Well, ok, not really, but his throwing error in the 7th inning gave the Yankees the lead back for good and helped them reclaim sole possession of first place.

Hiroki Kuroda was handed 3-1 and 4-3 leads, but couldn't hold either. But a slumping Andruw Jones singled off Rays' starter Matt Moore to start the top of the 7th. Steve Pearce followed with a single of his own before Jayson Nix sacrificed pinch-runner Ichiro Suzuki and Pearce into scoring position.

Former Yankee Kyle Farnsworth got a ground ball from Derek Jeter, but second baseman Johnson's throw sailed wide of catcher Jose Lobaton. Not only did Suzuki score, but Pearce raced home with a second run.

The Rays put two men aboard against Boone Logan and David Robertson in the 8th, but D-Rob got Matt Joyce to pop out to end the inning. The 9th was Rafael Soriano time and the closer untucked his jersey for the first time in days after he retired the Rays in order for his 36th save.

Notes

While the Rays fell back to 2.5 games out, the Orioles dropped back into second place, 1 game out after a 6-4 loss to Toronto. The Yankees and O's begin a four game series in Baltimore on Thursday.

Slam Duncan

It's over. The great ball man experiment. Not the Seinfeld episode. I'm talking about the hope that the Duncan boys, Shelley and Eric (no relation) could become regular contributors to the Yankees lineup.

Shelley had some moments in the sun during the the 2007 season, hitting seven home runs, but Eric has never had a major league bat and had the bigger upside.

I watched Eric's development at Seton Hall Prep. Local boy makes good. The Florham Park native was the NJ high school player of the year in 2003 and was selected in the 1st round, 27th overall, by the Yankees. Local area baseball fans were excited and full of anticipation as we just knew he would be hitting 30 home runs a year with the friendly right field porch in the old(er) Yankee Stadium.

Things started out well enough. Duncan graduated high school, then spent his summer playing for the GCL and Staten Island Yankees. 6 home runs and 69 RBI in 107 games, plus a good OPS had to be a portend of things to come.

But while Eric hit 35 home runs over the next two seasons, more often than not he wasn't making contact. 267 strikeouts over those same two seasons as the holes in Duncan's game were exposed. He would never hit higher than .260 again and his power diminished. Injuries limited his playing time and led to his departure from the Yankees organization, still just 25 years old.

That announcement came today from LoHud's Chad Jennings (by the way if I haven't said it already, a great replacement for Pete Abe. Chad's work covering the Scranton Yankees was outstanding) that Duncan has signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Perhaps a chance of scenery will help turn things around for Duncan. We can only hope so!

Arm bashers look out

Shelley Duncan is coming back up to the Yankees. The Yankees needed a position player with the injury to Brett Gardner and Dunc is the man. No word on corresponding roster move, but it will be a pitcher sent down (Albaladejo yet again?).

Chien-Ming Wang can be moved to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster for Duncan.

Just to Whet Your Appetite

Egan-Chin/News

Derek and the boys do some running on Wednesday.

The Daily Yankeeland - 1/16

Most players or coach would like to avoid road trips for as long as possible, but Yankees' hitting coach Kevin Long hit the road early this year. Bergen Record writer Pete Caldera tells us about Long's trips to see A-Rod, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, and Johnny Damon.

The Roger Clemens perjury investigation continued with sleaze bag Kirk Radimonski on the stand. Fellow sleaze bag Brian McNamee thinks the Rocket is headed for prison. Perhaps they should share a cell.

Shelley Duncan cleared waivers and was out righted to Scranton. He'll also receive an invite to the Major League training camp along with Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Mark Melancon, Kei Igawa (CRINGE), Jason Johnson, Angel Berroa, Jason Johnson, Kevin Cash, Kyle Anson, Colin Curtis,Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena, P.J. Pilittere, John Rodriguez, Doug Bernier, Justin Leone, Todd Linden, and Kevin Russo.

Xavier Nady, Melky Cabrera, and Brian Bruney have filed for salary arbitration.

Jorge Posada said he's training for the World Baseball Class, but the Yankees have other thoughts...like NO.

The Daily Yankeeland - 1/7

It's time for the Shelley Duncan fan club to move on. The Yankees energetic bohemoth was released to make room on the 40 man roster for MarkTeixeira. Duncan burst on to the scene in '07 after a long siege in the minor leagues, giving the Yankees some pop from the right side, some major, arm bashing, and plenty of positive attitude. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to a good 2008 when Duncan had only 57 at-bats.

Deal or No Deal?
Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees are fielding offers for Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher, and possibly Hideki Matsui. We know there's a glut, but Nady?

Please don't ever allow him in Yankee Stadium
The Yankees announced the other day that they had signed veteran pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor league deal.

Yogi Berroa?
The Yankees have also brought in former AL Rookie of the Year, beating out Hideki Matsui, Angel Berroa to possibly back up Derek Jeter and serve as a utility infielder. Berroa put together 3 moderate to good seasons, including that rookie campaign, for the Royals. But he struggled the last 3 years, spending some of it in the minors. He played just 84 games for the Dodgers last season after being acquired from the Royals in June.

J-Rod is Back
The Yankees have re-signed former prospect John Rodriguez to a minor league deal. The lesser known Rodriguez spent the last 3 seasons with the Indians and Cardinals.

No Pepsi, Coke
Sam Borden, filling in for Peter Abraham, reports that Phil Coke has been told he'll come to Spring Training as a starter. PeteAbe also posted a story and some photos from the Yankees recent clinic in Taiwan.

Show the Mayor the Money
NYC has decided not to have luxury suites at either of the new stadiums being built in New York, but will take the money for them.

Don't Sh*t Where you Eat
The Scranton Yankees are suing their food vending company.

The Daily Yankeeland - 1/7

It's time for the Shelley Duncan fan club to move on. The Yankees energetic bohemoth was released to make room on the 40 man roster for MarkTeixeira. Duncan burst on to the scene in '07 after a long siege in the minor leagues, giving the Yankees some pop from the right side, some major, arm bashing, and plenty of positive attitude. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to a good 2008 when Duncan had only 57 at-bats.

Deal or No Deal?
Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees are fielding offers for Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher, and possibly Hideki Matsui. We know there's a glut, but Nady?

Please don't ever allow him in Yankee Stadium
The Yankees announced the other day that they had signed veteran pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor league deal.

Yogi Berroa?
The Yankees have also brought in former AL Rookie of the Year, beating out Hideki Matsui, Angel Berroa to possibly back up Derek Jeter and serve as a utility infielder. Berroa put together 3 moderate to good seasons, including that rookie campaign, for the Royals. But he struggled the last 3 years, spending some of it in the minors. He played just 84 games for the Dodgers last season after being acquired from the Royals in June.

J-Rod is Back
The Yankees have re-signed former prospect John Rodriguez to a minor league deal. The lesser known Rodriguez spent the last 3 seasons with the Indians and Cardinals.

No Pepsi, Coke
Sam Borden, filling in for Peter Abraham, reports that Phil Coke has been told he'll come to Spring Training as a starter. PeteAbe also posted a story and some photos from the Yankees recent clinic in Taiwan.

Show the Mayor the Money
NYC has decided not to have luxury suites at either of the new stadiums being built in New York, but will take the money for them.

Don't Sh*t Where you Eat
The Scranton Yankees are suing their food vending company.

Minor League Recap - 6/26

Games of 6/25

Dan McCutchen had a decent outing for the Scranton Yankees last night, but saw his record fall to 1-6 as the Columbus Clippers took a 5-1 decision. McCutchen allowed 3 earned runs in 6.2 innings pitched. He allowed 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Shelley Duncan's sacrifice fly brought home the only run and gave the Yankees a temporary 1-0 lead. Matt Carson had 3 hits, falling a home run shy of a cycle.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 5 11 0 Scranton/WB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 2 Recap | Box | W: M. Bacsik (6-3, 4.40); L: D. McCutchen (1-6, 4.30) HR: None.

Eric Hacker and the Trenton Thunder bullpen were dynamite last night, shutting out the Erie SeaWolves 7-0. Hacker (2-1, 1.97) allowed 4 hits in 6.2 IP, walked 2, and struck out 5. Between Tampa and Trenton, he's 4-3, 1.91 in 15 starts, with just 64 hits allowed in 85 innings.

Colin Curtis (4 hits) and Jose Tabata (3 hits) enjoyed big nights at the plate, driving in 2 runs apiece. Austin Jackson has hit a bit of a skid, going 2 for his last 16.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Erie 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 Trenton 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 X 7 12 0 Recap | Box | W: E. Hacker (2-1, 1.97); L: B. Fritz (2-3, 5.63) HR: None.

The Tampa Yankees game with the Daytona Cubs was postponed due to rain.

It was a tough night for starter Wil Heredia and reliever Gabe Medina as the two allowed 6 runs in 8 innings pitched, in the Charleston RiverDogs 6-1 loss to the Columbus Catfish. Brad Suttle stopped the RiverDogs from being shutout in the 9th with his 5th home run of the year.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 6 8 0 Charleston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 1 Recap | Box | W: J. Hall (2-1, 3.40); L: J. Heredia (2-2, 3.40) HR: COL: R. Fronk (8). CHA: B. Suttle (5).

The Staten Island Yankees dropped a 7-6 scoring fest to the Aberdeen IronBirds, who scored the game winner in the bottom of the 9th. The Baby Bombers had rallied back from a 6-0 deficit. Shortsop Addison Maruszak lead the offense with 3 hits and an RBI.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 6 13 3 Aberdeen 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 11 3 Recap | Box W: F. Deza (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Gonell (1-1, 3.00) HR: ABE: J. Julius (2).

The Gulf Coast Yankees improved to 5-2 on the season with a 4-2 win over the GCL Phillies. Ryan Pope got the start as part of a rehab session, throwing 3 scoreless innings. Manny Banuelos threw 3 shutout innings of his own to earn his 2nd win.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Phillies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6 0 GCL Yankees 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X 4 8 2 Recap | Box W: M. Banuelos (2-0, 0.00); L: R. Simon (1-1, 4.22); SV: D. Kapala (1) HR: None.

News and Notes

Chad Jennings reports that Al Aceves should be getting his first start for Scranton on Saturday against the Buffalo Bison. Scott Patterson has been placed on the DL due to some kind of bug he's been fighting.

The Binghamton Mets and Altoona Curve of the Eastern League had a huge brawl Tuesday night, with the two opposing managers going at it first. You can read about it here.

Charleston always has some interesting promotions. Last night was "Go Back to Ohio Night at The Joe". There's been a large influx of Ohioans moving to Charleston. We suppose it was done tongue in cheek, although... And in case you don't know, the RiverDogs park is "Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park" or "The Joe".

The Journal Gazette in Illinois has a story on Tampa outfielder Mitch Hilligoss, the former Big Ten Conference batting champion.

Minor League Recap - 6/26

Games of 6/25

Dan McCutchen had a decent outing for the Scranton Yankees last night, but saw his record fall to 1-6 as the Columbus Clippers took a 5-1 decision. McCutchen allowed 3 earned runs in 6.2 innings pitched. He allowed 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Shelley Duncan's sacrifice fly brought home the only run and gave the Yankees a temporary 1-0 lead. Matt Carson had 3 hits, falling a home run shy of a cycle.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 5 11 0 Scranton/WB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 2 Recap | Box | W: M. Bacsik (6-3, 4.40); L: D. McCutchen (1-6, 4.30) HR: None.

Eric Hacker and the Trenton Thunder bullpen were dynamite last night, shutting out the Erie SeaWolves 7-0. Hacker (2-1, 1.97) allowed 4 hits in 6.2 IP, walked 2, and struck out 5. Between Tampa and Trenton, he's 4-3, 1.91 in 15 starts, with just 64 hits allowed in 85 innings.

Colin Curtis (4 hits) and Jose Tabata (3 hits) enjoyed big nights at the plate, driving in 2 runs apiece. Austin Jackson has hit a bit of a skid, going 2 for his last 16.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Erie 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 Trenton 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 X 7 12 0 Recap | Box | W: E. Hacker (2-1, 1.97); L: B. Fritz (2-3, 5.63) HR: None.

The Tampa Yankees game with the Daytona Cubs was postponed due to rain.

It was a tough night for starter Wil Heredia and reliever Gabe Medina as the two allowed 6 runs in 8 innings pitched, in the Charleston RiverDogs 6-1 loss to the Columbus Catfish. Brad Suttle stopped the RiverDogs from being shutout in the 9th with his 5th home run of the year.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 6 8 0 Charleston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 1 Recap | Box | W: J. Hall (2-1, 3.40); L: J. Heredia (2-2, 3.40) HR: COL: R. Fronk (8). CHA: B. Suttle (5).

The Staten Island Yankees dropped a 7-6 scoring fest to the Aberdeen IronBirds, who scored the game winner in the bottom of the 9th. The Baby Bombers had rallied back from a 6-0 deficit. Shortsop Addison Maruszak lead the offense with 3 hits and an RBI.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 6 13 3 Aberdeen 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 11 3 Recap | Box W: F. Deza (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Gonell (1-1, 3.00) HR: ABE: J. Julius (2).

The Gulf Coast Yankees improved to 5-2 on the season with a 4-2 win over the GCL Phillies. Ryan Pope got the start as part of a rehab session, throwing 3 scoreless innings. Manny Banuelos threw 3 shutout innings of his own to earn his 2nd win.

	June 25, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Phillies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6 0 GCL Yankees 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X 4 8 2 Recap | Box W: M. Banuelos (2-0, 0.00); L: R. Simon (1-1, 4.22); SV: D. Kapala (1) HR: None.

News and Notes

Chad Jennings reports that Al Aceves should be getting his first start for Scranton on Saturday against the Buffalo Bison. Scott Patterson has been placed on the DL due to some kind of bug he's been fighting.

The Binghamton Mets and Altoona Curve of the Eastern League had a huge brawl Tuesday night, with the two opposing managers going at it first. You can read about it here.

Charleston always has some interesting promotions. Last night was "Go Back to Ohio Night at The Joe". There's been a large influx of Ohioans moving to Charleston. We suppose it was done tongue in cheek, although... And in case you don't know, the RiverDogs park is "Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park" or "The Joe".

The Journal Gazette in Illinois has a story on Tampa outfielder Mitch Hilligoss, the former Big Ten Conference batting champion.