Ace Demands Complete Game
Mike Mussina has done everything the Yankees have asked of him this season. Last night, they returned the favor. Leading 6-1 with 2 out in the 9th, Mussina barked at Joe Torre to stay in the dugout. Torre had already made one trip to the mound and was ascending the dugout stairs to pull Mussina from the ball game. It appeared that Mussina was on his way to a complete game shutout, but Alex Rodriguez's errant throw on a Placido Polanco grounder kept the inning and game going. Magglio Ordonez singled in Polanco to break up the shutout and prompted Torre to make a pitching change. But Mussina spotted Torre before he could get out of the dugout and demanded, "No! Get back in there!". Torre threw his arms out and said, "Okay, okay", before breaking into laughter. Mussina responded by striking out Carlos Guillen to end the game and give the bullpen a much needed night off.
Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, and Gary Sheffield were all missing from the lineup, but Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi had 3 hits each and combined for 3 RBI. Jeter sat out due to soreness in the right wrist he injured sliding into second base on Monday. Damon sat out with soreness in the broken bone in his foot and Sheffield was back in New York having tests done on his beat up left wrist.
The Yankees gave Mussina a lead to work with right off the bat with a two-out rally against Tigers starter Nate Robertson in the first inning. Consecutive singles by Giambi, A-Rod, and Jorge Posada pushed the first run of the game across home plate.
Both pitchers locked into a good duel before the Yankees added another run in the 5th. With the bases loaded and two out, Rodriguez singled hard threw the left side to score Andy Phillips and the bags remained juiced. Robertson (5-3) escaped further trouble by getting Posada to fly out to center for the final out of the inning.
Giambi led off the eighth with a ground rule double into the left field corner and scored on Rodriguez's third hit of the ball game, a triple over the head of Curtis Granderson . It seems like ever since Giambi hit into a game ending double play last Friday night he has made more of a concerted effort to hit the ball to the opposite field. A-Rod beat Chris Shelton's throw home on Robinson Cano's soft tapper to boost the lead to 4-0.
The Yankees managed another two-out rally in the 9th when Melky Cabrera singled, stole second, and came home on Miguel Cairo's single. Cairo's single finally drove Robertson from the game and set up a lefty-lefty match up between Jamie Walker and Giambi. Giambi won out, driving a double to the gap in right-center that scored Cairo with the Yankees final run.
All that was left was for Mussina to close it out and he was going to make damn sure it was he who did just that. Manager be damned.
Notes
Derek Jeter is expected to be back in the lineup for tonight's series finale.
The results of Gary Sheffield's MRI and additional testing should be known today. Another trip to the DL is the most likely scenario.
Joe Torre has not ruled out a stint on the DL for Johnny Damon either. Damon's foot will be an on-going nuisance since rest and anti-inflammatory medication is the only way for the broken bone to heal.
Prior to the game, the Yankees designated third string catcher Koyie Hill for assignment and bolstered the pen with the addition of Darrell Rasner. Rasner was picked up off waivers from the Washington Nationals during Spring Training. The 25-year old right-hander posted an impressive 4-0 record with a 2.56 ERA as a starter for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
Yankees Top 10 prospect Steve White continued his fine season for Double-A Trenton by pitching a 7-inning complete game shut out. White, who struggled last season, is 4-1, 2.11 in 11 starts.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
MLB News & Notes
Greg Maddux ended a 4 games losing streak last night with a 7-3 win over the Reds. The victory was #324 lifetime, tying Maddux with Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton for 13th place all-time. Barring injury Maddux should finish the season in the #10 spot.
Entering today's action, Albert Pujols is averaging 1 home run for every 7 at-bats, or 14.3%. By comparison, Barry Bonds was at 15.34% when he hit 73 and Mark McGwire came in at 13.75% when he hit 70. Hopefully Pujols is doing without the cheating aids the other two have relied on.
Reigning NL Cy Young Winner Chris Carpenter was placed on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis under his right shoulder blade. The Cardinals right-hander was 4-2, 2.63.
David Wells's stay off the disabled list lasted only 4 1-3 innings. That's when he was struck by a line drive in the right knee by the Devil Rays' Travis Lee on May 26. Wells had off-season surgery on the knee and sprained it in a start in April.
The Houston Astros and Roger Clemens have agreed a 1-year minor league deal that will be worth a total of $22 million. Clemens is expected to make 3 minor league starts before recalled by the Astros.
Entering today's action, Albert Pujols is averaging 1 home run for every 7 at-bats, or 14.3%. By comparison, Barry Bonds was at 15.34% when he hit 73 and Mark McGwire came in at 13.75% when he hit 70. Hopefully Pujols is doing without the cheating aids the other two have relied on.
Reigning NL Cy Young Winner Chris Carpenter was placed on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis under his right shoulder blade. The Cardinals right-hander was 4-2, 2.63.
David Wells's stay off the disabled list lasted only 4 1-3 innings. That's when he was struck by a line drive in the right knee by the Devil Rays' Travis Lee on May 26. Wells had off-season surgery on the knee and sprained it in a start in April.
The Houston Astros and Roger Clemens have agreed a 1-year minor league deal that will be worth a total of $22 million. Clemens is expected to make 3 minor league starts before recalled by the Astros.
Giambi Blasts Yankees to Victory 11-6
Super Mariano saves the day with 3 innings
You could tell last night's Yankees-Tigers game was going to be an odd one just from the first inning. Melky Cabrera led off the ball game for the Bombers with a triple and was stranded. The Tigers loaded the bases off Yankees starter Aaron Small with no one out and didn't score. The Yankees defense and bullpen blew a 6-1 lead. Mariano Rivera pitched 3 innings in a regular season game for the first time in 10 years. Finally, Jason Giambi blasted a solo home run to ignite a 5 run 11th inning to give the Yankees an 11-6 victory and a share of first place with the Boston Red Sox.
Giambi's home run, his 13th of the season, off Tigers closer Todd Jones was his first since May 10 and just his 5th RBI in his last 61 at-bats. Alex Rodriguez and Kelly Stinnett followed with singles, before Robinson Cano's force out put runners on the corners with just one down. Bernie Williams who has struggled from the left side all season, hit a frozen rope to right that went off the wrist of a leaping Ordonez. A-Rod scored and Cano raced to 3rd. A walk to Terrence Long loaded the bases and chased Jones from the game. Chris Spurling threw fuel on the fire as he gave up a two run single to Andy Phillips (4 RBI on the night) and Melky Cabrera's 4th hit of the night for the final run of the inning. Rivera (3-3) was sharp, using just 25 pitches to retire 9 of the 10 men he faced in his longest regular season stint since September 6, 1996.
The Yankees looked in the early goings as if the night might be a blowout, but a crucial error by Derek Jeter and some shoddy pitching by Kyle Farnsworth made it a must win game. Leading 6-1 in the fifth, with one on and none out, Jeter misplayed a potential double play grounder by Placido Polanco into an error. The ball rolled up Jeter's arms and ricocheted into short center field. By the time Robinson Cano tracked it down, the Tigers had two runners in scoring position with no one out. Ivan Rodriguez then ripped one up the alley in right-center for a two run triple, and scored one batter later on Magglio Ordonez's single to cut the lead to 6-4. Aaron Small hoping to still pull out a win then retired the next three hitters in a row to escape further trouble, but the Tigers weren't done chipping away.
Curtis Granderson's RBI single in the 6th off Scott Erickson close the gap to 6-5. After Scott Proctor bounced back from recent shaky outings with a 1-2-3 7th, Kyle Farnsworth immediately got into trouble in the 8th by walking Chris Shelton to start the inning. Craig Monroe followed with a single and the previously subdued crowd was back into the game. Farnsworth worked Marcus Thames to a full count before walking him on a pitch well out of the strike zone. With the bases loaded and none out the Yankees played at double play depth.
Brandon Inge gave the Yankees exactly what they needed, a ground ball, but the Yankees could only get the force at second as Inge barely beat the throw to first. Pinch-runner Ramon Santiago scored on the play to tie the game at 6-6 and the Tigers still had a major threat going with runners on the corners and just one out. But Farnsworth responded, striking out Curtis Granderson looking and getting Placido Polanco swinging to escape further trouble.
After stranding Cabrera at third with none out in the first, the Yankees pushed 4 runs across in the second. Singles by Jorge Posada, Cano, and Long loaded the bases and Posada came home on Roman Colon's wild pitch for the first run of the game. A Phillips single and a double by Cabrera brought home two more runs and the final run of the inning came home on a ground out by Jeter.
Notes
Gary Sheffield sat out last night's game with pain in his wrist and is most likely headed for the disabled list once again. Johnny Damon was used only as a pinch-runner as his sore foot prevented him from being in the starting lineup. He will most likely sit out again tonight.
Derek Jeter didn't miss any time after jamming his right wrist in Monday's game, but had a rough night going 0-5 with an error and was hit by a pitch. It marked just the 2nd time all season that Jeter went hitless in consecutive games.
Bernie Williams went 3-5 to raise his average to .275. It was his third 3-hit game in the last 7 games played. He also drove in a pair of runs.
You could tell last night's Yankees-Tigers game was going to be an odd one just from the first inning. Melky Cabrera led off the ball game for the Bombers with a triple and was stranded. The Tigers loaded the bases off Yankees starter Aaron Small with no one out and didn't score. The Yankees defense and bullpen blew a 6-1 lead. Mariano Rivera pitched 3 innings in a regular season game for the first time in 10 years. Finally, Jason Giambi blasted a solo home run to ignite a 5 run 11th inning to give the Yankees an 11-6 victory and a share of first place with the Boston Red Sox.
Giambi's home run, his 13th of the season, off Tigers closer Todd Jones was his first since May 10 and just his 5th RBI in his last 61 at-bats. Alex Rodriguez and Kelly Stinnett followed with singles, before Robinson Cano's force out put runners on the corners with just one down. Bernie Williams who has struggled from the left side all season, hit a frozen rope to right that went off the wrist of a leaping Ordonez. A-Rod scored and Cano raced to 3rd. A walk to Terrence Long loaded the bases and chased Jones from the game. Chris Spurling threw fuel on the fire as he gave up a two run single to Andy Phillips (4 RBI on the night) and Melky Cabrera's 4th hit of the night for the final run of the inning. Rivera (3-3) was sharp, using just 25 pitches to retire 9 of the 10 men he faced in his longest regular season stint since September 6, 1996.
The Yankees looked in the early goings as if the night might be a blowout, but a crucial error by Derek Jeter and some shoddy pitching by Kyle Farnsworth made it a must win game. Leading 6-1 in the fifth, with one on and none out, Jeter misplayed a potential double play grounder by Placido Polanco into an error. The ball rolled up Jeter's arms and ricocheted into short center field. By the time Robinson Cano tracked it down, the Tigers had two runners in scoring position with no one out. Ivan Rodriguez then ripped one up the alley in right-center for a two run triple, and scored one batter later on Magglio Ordonez's single to cut the lead to 6-4. Aaron Small hoping to still pull out a win then retired the next three hitters in a row to escape further trouble, but the Tigers weren't done chipping away.
Curtis Granderson's RBI single in the 6th off Scott Erickson close the gap to 6-5. After Scott Proctor bounced back from recent shaky outings with a 1-2-3 7th, Kyle Farnsworth immediately got into trouble in the 8th by walking Chris Shelton to start the inning. Craig Monroe followed with a single and the previously subdued crowd was back into the game. Farnsworth worked Marcus Thames to a full count before walking him on a pitch well out of the strike zone. With the bases loaded and none out the Yankees played at double play depth.
Brandon Inge gave the Yankees exactly what they needed, a ground ball, but the Yankees could only get the force at second as Inge barely beat the throw to first. Pinch-runner Ramon Santiago scored on the play to tie the game at 6-6 and the Tigers still had a major threat going with runners on the corners and just one out. But Farnsworth responded, striking out Curtis Granderson looking and getting Placido Polanco swinging to escape further trouble.
After stranding Cabrera at third with none out in the first, the Yankees pushed 4 runs across in the second. Singles by Jorge Posada, Cano, and Long loaded the bases and Posada came home on Roman Colon's wild pitch for the first run of the game. A Phillips single and a double by Cabrera brought home two more runs and the final run of the inning came home on a ground out by Jeter.
Notes
Gary Sheffield sat out last night's game with pain in his wrist and is most likely headed for the disabled list once again. Johnny Damon was used only as a pinch-runner as his sore foot prevented him from being in the starting lineup. He will most likely sit out again tonight.
Derek Jeter didn't miss any time after jamming his right wrist in Monday's game, but had a rough night going 0-5 with an error and was hit by a pitch. It marked just the 2nd time all season that Jeter went hitless in consecutive games.
Bernie Williams went 3-5 to raise his average to .275. It was his third 3-hit game in the last 7 games played. He also drove in a pair of runs.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Ace For A Day
Johnson on the mark as Yankees blank Tigers 4-0
The Randy Johnson that took the mound for the Yankees over the last 7 weeks was a poor imitation of the real thing. Think Mike Francesa trying to fit into an x-small. For one day at least the real Randy Johnson stepped forward and led the Yankees to a 4-0 victory.
Johnson retired the first 8 Tiger hitters and, with help from Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield, kept them hitless for 5 1-3 innings until a single by Ivan Rodriguez. He threw chin music to Carlos Guillen and backed up his sneer with solid pitching. Johnson left after allowing a lead off double to Guillen to start the 7th. It would the Tigers final hit of the day.
The Yankees offense kicked it into gear in the third to give Johnson some early support. Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera sandwiched singles around a Terrance Long force out to put runners on the corners with one out. Johnny Damon singled back through the box for a 1-0 lead and Derek Jeter picked up an RBI when his potential double play grounder was botched on a bad throw to first by Guillen.
The Yankees added two more against Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman with two out in the fifth. Gary Sheffield singled and Jason Giambi walked to put two aboard. Alex Rodriguez singled to center to score Sheffield and Jorge Posada followed with a run scoring single of his own. Bonderman (5-4) finally retired Cano on a fly out to left to end the inning.
With Johnson out of the game, the Tigers couldn't fare any better against Ron Villone and Kyle Farnsworth. Villone, who has been rarely used in a non-blow out situation by Joe Torre, retired all six men he faced. Farnsworth retired the side in order in the 9th, getting Carlos Guillen to fly out to Cabrera to close it out.
Notes
Jorge Posada returned to the lineup after sitting out the last 4 games with a injured tendon. Posada had 2 hits and an RBI in his return.
Derek Jeter left the game after batting in the fifth inning due to a jammed right wrist. Jeter hurt the wrist when he slid into second base in the third inning. He was removed for precautionary reasons and he expects to be in the lineup on Tuesday. Jeter was hitless in 3 at-bats, dropping his season average to .347.
With Shawn Chacon and Mike Maroth on the disabled list, Aaron Small will face Roman Colon in the 2nd game of the series on Tuesday.
The Randy Johnson that took the mound for the Yankees over the last 7 weeks was a poor imitation of the real thing. Think Mike Francesa trying to fit into an x-small. For one day at least the real Randy Johnson stepped forward and led the Yankees to a 4-0 victory.
Johnson retired the first 8 Tiger hitters and, with help from Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield, kept them hitless for 5 1-3 innings until a single by Ivan Rodriguez. He threw chin music to Carlos Guillen and backed up his sneer with solid pitching. Johnson left after allowing a lead off double to Guillen to start the 7th. It would the Tigers final hit of the day.
The Yankees offense kicked it into gear in the third to give Johnson some early support. Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera sandwiched singles around a Terrance Long force out to put runners on the corners with one out. Johnny Damon singled back through the box for a 1-0 lead and Derek Jeter picked up an RBI when his potential double play grounder was botched on a bad throw to first by Guillen.
The Yankees added two more against Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman with two out in the fifth. Gary Sheffield singled and Jason Giambi walked to put two aboard. Alex Rodriguez singled to center to score Sheffield and Jorge Posada followed with a run scoring single of his own. Bonderman (5-4) finally retired Cano on a fly out to left to end the inning.
With Johnson out of the game, the Tigers couldn't fare any better against Ron Villone and Kyle Farnsworth. Villone, who has been rarely used in a non-blow out situation by Joe Torre, retired all six men he faced. Farnsworth retired the side in order in the 9th, getting Carlos Guillen to fly out to Cabrera to close it out.
Notes
Jorge Posada returned to the lineup after sitting out the last 4 games with a injured tendon. Posada had 2 hits and an RBI in his return.
Derek Jeter left the game after batting in the fifth inning due to a jammed right wrist. Jeter hurt the wrist when he slid into second base in the third inning. He was removed for precautionary reasons and he expects to be in the lineup on Tuesday. Jeter was hitless in 3 at-bats, dropping his season average to .347.
With Shawn Chacon and Mike Maroth on the disabled list, Aaron Small will face Roman Colon in the 2nd game of the series on Tuesday.
Yankees Take Series with 6-5 Cliffhanger
First inning outburst holds up as Royals rally falls short
The Yankees came very close Sunday to making their three game series with Kansas City a complete disaster. After losing on Friday and winning in a blowout on Saturday, Sunday's early innings appeared to indicated a repeat of Saturday was at hand. But the Yankee bats fell silent and the Royals rallied before Mariano Rivera finally closed out a 6-5 victory.
Starter Jaret Wright showed no ill effects of his groin injury, but struggled with his control throughout the day. He had an excellent fastball, but didn't always know where it was going. Luckily for him the Yankee hitters knew exactly where Royals starter Runelvys Hernandez was throwing.
Hernandez listed as 6'1", 250 pounds, but is probably a good 25 pounds more than that, couldn't make it out of the first inning. Johnny Damon led off the ball game with his 6th home run of the season into the old Yankees bullpen in right-center. It was Damon's second lead off HR of the season. Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield followed with singles before Jason Giambi doubled to right to score Jeter and move Sheff to third. Alex Rodriguez then blooped a single into right to drive in two and put the Yankees on top 4-0. Hernandez (1-4) finally got Robinson Cano to bounce into a double play for the first two outs of the inning, but then walked Melky Cabrera. With Cabrera running at the crack of the bat, Terrance Long singled into the right field corner. Seeing the throw from Reggie Sanders head towards second, third base coach Larry Bowa aggressively waived Cabrera home. Cabrera, who never slowed down, slid across home plate just ahead of the relay from Angel Berroa for the 5th run of the inning. It also drove Hernandez from the ball game after just 2/3 of an inning.
Cano's sacrifice fly in the 2nd brought home what proved to be the Yankees last run of the game. The Royals then mounted their comeback, chipping away against Wright (3-3) and the suddenly ineffective Scott Proctor. Matt Stairs, Mark Grudzielanek, and Berroa knocked in single runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings to cut the lead to 6-3 and chase Wright from the game.
After an incredible hot streak, Scott Proctor has gone back to looking like the Proctor of old. After allowing an inherited runner to score in the 6th, Proctor was charged with two of his own. After retiring the first two hitters in the 7th, Proctor gave up back-to-back doubles to Doug Mientkiewicz and Sanders to cut the margin to 6-4. Joe Torre signaled for lefty specialist Mike Myers to face Matt Stairs, but Buddy Bell countered with pinch-hitter Estaban German. Myers walked him to put the tying runs on base, forcing Torre to call for Kyle Farnsworth to face Emil Brown. Farnsworth repeated a pattern we've seen too often this season. He fired upper 90s fastballs past Brown and then hung a 75 mph slider in the strike zone. Brown ripped it through the left side to score Sanders to make it a 1-run ball game. Farnsworth finally put out the fire by retiring Tony Graffanino on a fly out to left.
Farnsworth pitched an uneventful 8th before Mariano Rivera breezed through a 1-2-3 9th for his 11th save of the season.
Notes
The Yankees had no hits over the final three innings.
Scott Proctor is headed back to the drawing board after allowing 8 runs in 3 2-3 innings over his last 4 appearances.
Jaret Wright has really bolstered the Yankees rotation over his last 4 starts. Though Joe Torre and Ron Guidry would like to see more innings out of him, Wright is 3-1, 3.32 in those 4 starts.
The Yankees came very close Sunday to making their three game series with Kansas City a complete disaster. After losing on Friday and winning in a blowout on Saturday, Sunday's early innings appeared to indicated a repeat of Saturday was at hand. But the Yankee bats fell silent and the Royals rallied before Mariano Rivera finally closed out a 6-5 victory.
Starter Jaret Wright showed no ill effects of his groin injury, but struggled with his control throughout the day. He had an excellent fastball, but didn't always know where it was going. Luckily for him the Yankee hitters knew exactly where Royals starter Runelvys Hernandez was throwing.
Hernandez listed as 6'1", 250 pounds, but is probably a good 25 pounds more than that, couldn't make it out of the first inning. Johnny Damon led off the ball game with his 6th home run of the season into the old Yankees bullpen in right-center. It was Damon's second lead off HR of the season. Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield followed with singles before Jason Giambi doubled to right to score Jeter and move Sheff to third. Alex Rodriguez then blooped a single into right to drive in two and put the Yankees on top 4-0. Hernandez (1-4) finally got Robinson Cano to bounce into a double play for the first two outs of the inning, but then walked Melky Cabrera. With Cabrera running at the crack of the bat, Terrance Long singled into the right field corner. Seeing the throw from Reggie Sanders head towards second, third base coach Larry Bowa aggressively waived Cabrera home. Cabrera, who never slowed down, slid across home plate just ahead of the relay from Angel Berroa for the 5th run of the inning. It also drove Hernandez from the ball game after just 2/3 of an inning.
Cano's sacrifice fly in the 2nd brought home what proved to be the Yankees last run of the game. The Royals then mounted their comeback, chipping away against Wright (3-3) and the suddenly ineffective Scott Proctor. Matt Stairs, Mark Grudzielanek, and Berroa knocked in single runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings to cut the lead to 6-3 and chase Wright from the game.
After an incredible hot streak, Scott Proctor has gone back to looking like the Proctor of old. After allowing an inherited runner to score in the 6th, Proctor was charged with two of his own. After retiring the first two hitters in the 7th, Proctor gave up back-to-back doubles to Doug Mientkiewicz and Sanders to cut the margin to 6-4. Joe Torre signaled for lefty specialist Mike Myers to face Matt Stairs, but Buddy Bell countered with pinch-hitter Estaban German. Myers walked him to put the tying runs on base, forcing Torre to call for Kyle Farnsworth to face Emil Brown. Farnsworth repeated a pattern we've seen too often this season. He fired upper 90s fastballs past Brown and then hung a 75 mph slider in the strike zone. Brown ripped it through the left side to score Sanders to make it a 1-run ball game. Farnsworth finally put out the fire by retiring Tony Graffanino on a fly out to left.
Farnsworth pitched an uneventful 8th before Mariano Rivera breezed through a 1-2-3 9th for his 11th save of the season.
Notes
The Yankees had no hits over the final three innings.
Scott Proctor is headed back to the drawing board after allowing 8 runs in 3 2-3 innings over his last 4 appearances.
Jaret Wright has really bolstered the Yankees rotation over his last 4 starts. Though Joe Torre and Ron Guidry would like to see more innings out of him, Wright is 3-1, 3.32 in those 4 starts.
'B' Team Pummels KC, 15-4
Stinnett, Cairo, Cabrera hammer Royals Pitching
Less than 24 hours after an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, the Yankees pounded the oppositions pitching to the tune of 15 hits in a 15-4 romp. Subs Kelly Stinnett, Miguel Cairo, and Melky Cabrera combined for 9 hits and 10 RBI. Oh, and one of those starters, Alex Rodriguez, hit a pair of bombs as well. Chien-Ming Wang was the beneficiary of all that offense as he pitched 7 effective innings for his 5th win of the season.
The Yankees jumped on starter Jeremy Affeldt in the 2nd inning and didn't let up. With two on and one out, Cairo, Cabrera, and Stinnett stroked consecutive singles for a 3-0 lead. In the third, Rodriguez hit a long two-run homer and Stinnett topped that later in the inning with a 3-run blast for an 8-0 lead.
Wang (5-2) meanwhile was cruising through the Royals lineup, having retired the first 11 hitters in a row before Doug Mientkiewicz's two-out double in the 4th. RBI doubles by Aaron Guiel and Angel Berroa in the 5th got the Royals on the board, but A-Rod answered back with his second home run of the game, a solo shot, in the bottom half of the inning.
KC cut the lead to 9-4 with another pair in a two out rally in the 6th. Matt Stairs doubled in a run and Tony Graffanino followed with an RBI single before Wang retired the side. The Yankees responded with another offensive outburst to drive Affeldt (2-5) from the game.
Stinnett led off the home half of the sixth with a double, his third hit of the game, and came home on Derek Jeter's single. After another run came across on a wild pitch, Cairo, who had 4 hits, doubled in two more and Cabrera followed with a 2-run double in the gap in right-center.
Ron Villone and Scott Erickson were on mop up duty, pitching an inning each to finish out the ball game.
Notes
Cairo's 4 hits tied a career high.
Less than 24 hours after an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, the Yankees pounded the oppositions pitching to the tune of 15 hits in a 15-4 romp. Subs Kelly Stinnett, Miguel Cairo, and Melky Cabrera combined for 9 hits and 10 RBI. Oh, and one of those starters, Alex Rodriguez, hit a pair of bombs as well. Chien-Ming Wang was the beneficiary of all that offense as he pitched 7 effective innings for his 5th win of the season.
The Yankees jumped on starter Jeremy Affeldt in the 2nd inning and didn't let up. With two on and one out, Cairo, Cabrera, and Stinnett stroked consecutive singles for a 3-0 lead. In the third, Rodriguez hit a long two-run homer and Stinnett topped that later in the inning with a 3-run blast for an 8-0 lead.
Wang (5-2) meanwhile was cruising through the Royals lineup, having retired the first 11 hitters in a row before Doug Mientkiewicz's two-out double in the 4th. RBI doubles by Aaron Guiel and Angel Berroa in the 5th got the Royals on the board, but A-Rod answered back with his second home run of the game, a solo shot, in the bottom half of the inning.
KC cut the lead to 9-4 with another pair in a two out rally in the 6th. Matt Stairs doubled in a run and Tony Graffanino followed with an RBI single before Wang retired the side. The Yankees responded with another offensive outburst to drive Affeldt (2-5) from the game.
Stinnett led off the home half of the sixth with a double, his third hit of the game, and came home on Derek Jeter's single. After another run came across on a wild pitch, Cairo, who had 4 hits, doubled in two more and Cabrera followed with a 2-run double in the gap in right-center.
Ron Villone and Scott Erickson were on mop up duty, pitching an inning each to finish out the ball game.
Notes
Cairo's 4 hits tied a career high.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Pen Not Mightier Than The Bat, Yanks Lose 7-6
Bullpen failures ruin Jeter's big night
It should have been a night where Derek Jeter could reflect on the 2000th hit of his career. Instead he'll remember how it was a costly loss to Kansas City in the AL divisional race. The Yankees overcame an early 3 run deficit and a two hour rain delay, but couldn't come all the way back from an Angel Berroa 3-run homer as they lost to the Royals. The Yankees rallied in the 9th, cutting a two run deficit to just one, before Jason Giambi grounded in to a game ending double play.
Mike Mussina gave the Yankees another effective start, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings of work. Mussina struggled early with his command and the Royals took advantage by scoring all three runs in the second inning. After a Reggie Sanders lead off home run, Mussina retired the next two hitters, but a single by Tony Graffanino and back-to-back walks to Berroa and Paul Bako loaded the bases. Shane Costa then singled through the right side to score a pair.
The Royals have blown most leads they have had this year, including a 6-0 margin Thursday afternoon to Detroit. Last night's game was no different. Jeter led off the fourth with a little dribbler out in front of the plate. Catcher Paul Bako had to hurry his throw and it sailed into the seats along the first base line. The official scoring was a hit and an error, prompting the fans to rise to their feet to celebrate Jeter's 2000th hit. Jeter waved his helmet to the crowd, which grew louder as the achievement was displayed on the centerfield scoreboard. Two batters later Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees on the board with an RBI single up the middle off of Royals starter Scott Elarton.
In the sixth the Yankees took their only lead of the night. Johnny Damon led off with one of his two hits and Jeter followed with a walk. Jason Giambi then drilled a double in the gap in right-center to drive in both base runners and put the tying run in scoring position. A-Rod came through again, singling through the left side. The ball skipped through left-fielder Emil Brown's legs to allowed A-Rod to gain second, but he was stranded there.
Joe Torre turned the game over to Scott Proctor to start the 7th and Proctor's recent streak of ineffectiveness continued. Graffanino led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. The light-hitting Bako followed with a single to center to tie up the game. Kyle Farnsworth (1-2) started the eighth and did worse than Proctor. With a man on and two out, he walked Graffanino and then served up a 3-run home run to Berroa. Berroa's 4th home run of the year gave the Royals a 7-4 lead.
The Yankees finally drove Elarton (1-5) from the game in the 8th after Giambi singled and A-Rod followed with a double. With one out, Bernie Williams grounded out to Grudzielanek at second to plate Giambi, but Melky Cabrera grounded out to end the inning.
A two hour rain delay ensued following the top of the 9th before pinch-hitter Terrence Long stepped in against reliever Joe Nelson. Long came through with a single to send the tying run to the plate. With one out, Jeter walked and Gary Sheffield lined a single just under the glove of center fielder Estaban German to score Long. Manager Buddy Bell sent for 6'10" left-hander Andrew Sisco to face Giambi and the reliever came through, inducing Giambi into a 4-6-3 double play for the first save of his career.
It should have been a night where Derek Jeter could reflect on the 2000th hit of his career. Instead he'll remember how it was a costly loss to Kansas City in the AL divisional race. The Yankees overcame an early 3 run deficit and a two hour rain delay, but couldn't come all the way back from an Angel Berroa 3-run homer as they lost to the Royals. The Yankees rallied in the 9th, cutting a two run deficit to just one, before Jason Giambi grounded in to a game ending double play.
Mike Mussina gave the Yankees another effective start, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings of work. Mussina struggled early with his command and the Royals took advantage by scoring all three runs in the second inning. After a Reggie Sanders lead off home run, Mussina retired the next two hitters, but a single by Tony Graffanino and back-to-back walks to Berroa and Paul Bako loaded the bases. Shane Costa then singled through the right side to score a pair.
The Royals have blown most leads they have had this year, including a 6-0 margin Thursday afternoon to Detroit. Last night's game was no different. Jeter led off the fourth with a little dribbler out in front of the plate. Catcher Paul Bako had to hurry his throw and it sailed into the seats along the first base line. The official scoring was a hit and an error, prompting the fans to rise to their feet to celebrate Jeter's 2000th hit. Jeter waved his helmet to the crowd, which grew louder as the achievement was displayed on the centerfield scoreboard. Two batters later Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees on the board with an RBI single up the middle off of Royals starter Scott Elarton.
In the sixth the Yankees took their only lead of the night. Johnny Damon led off with one of his two hits and Jeter followed with a walk. Jason Giambi then drilled a double in the gap in right-center to drive in both base runners and put the tying run in scoring position. A-Rod came through again, singling through the left side. The ball skipped through left-fielder Emil Brown's legs to allowed A-Rod to gain second, but he was stranded there.
Joe Torre turned the game over to Scott Proctor to start the 7th and Proctor's recent streak of ineffectiveness continued. Graffanino led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. The light-hitting Bako followed with a single to center to tie up the game. Kyle Farnsworth (1-2) started the eighth and did worse than Proctor. With a man on and two out, he walked Graffanino and then served up a 3-run home run to Berroa. Berroa's 4th home run of the year gave the Royals a 7-4 lead.
The Yankees finally drove Elarton (1-5) from the game in the 8th after Giambi singled and A-Rod followed with a double. With one out, Bernie Williams grounded out to Grudzielanek at second to plate Giambi, but Melky Cabrera grounded out to end the inning.
A two hour rain delay ensued following the top of the 9th before pinch-hitter Terrence Long stepped in against reliever Joe Nelson. Long came through with a single to send the tying run to the plate. With one out, Jeter walked and Gary Sheffield lined a single just under the glove of center fielder Estaban German to score Long. Manager Buddy Bell sent for 6'10" left-hander Andrew Sisco to face Giambi and the reliever came through, inducing Giambi into a 4-6-3 double play for the first save of his career.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Got Melky?
I'll tell you right off the bat that I watched the 2 hour season finale of Lost last night and went back and forth to the Yankees-Red Sox on commercials. I did see the game leading up until 9:00. Do to the horrendous pitching of Randy Johnson and even more horrendous pitching of Matt Clement, I didn't see many innings in 2 hours.
To say this was a huge victory would be an understatement. After losing 2 of 3 to the Mets and having no Jorge Posada or Johnny Damon in the starting lineup last night, the odds of winning were not great. Clement throwing for the Sox was of course a bit of an equalizer. You need someone to step up in these games and last night that guy was Melky Cabrera. The Yankees rushed this kids to the majors last season and he was totally overmatched at the plate and in the field. His return this season looked like it was a 2005 redux as he dropped a wind blown pop up against the Sox at The Stadium. A lot has changed since then, however, as Melky has not only played better in the field, but has shown he's got a major league stick. He's also had some huge at-bats such as the 11 pitch walk against Billy Wagner that help rally the Yankees to victory against the Mets last Saturday.
Last night Cabrera came through twice in spots where veterans have failed this season. The Yankees were trailing 2-1 with 2 outs in the 2nd inning when Cabrera came up with the bases loaded. He pulled one past a diving Kevin Youkilis for a 2-run single to right to give the Yankees the lead. Moments later Derek Jeter doubled in Kelly Stinnett to put the Bombers on top 4-2.
Randy Johnson gave that lead right back though. Already having given up a 2-run homer to Manny Ramirez in the first, Johnson served up a fat one to Youkilis with a man aboard to tie the game 4-4. One inning later, Jason Varitek singled in the go-ahead run and the Sox still had two on and none out. Johnson (6-4) then, improbably, struck out Wily Mo Pena, Dustan Mohr, and Alex Gonzalez to end the inning.
The Yankees went after Clement (4-4) again in the fifth as Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Bernie Williams, and Terrence Long stroked consecutive singles to put two on the board and put the Yankees back on top 6-5. With another two-on, two-out situation facing him, Cabrera came through again, delivering another two-run single for an 8-5 lead.
Despite having retired 8 of his last 9, Torre pulled a pleading Randy Johnson to start the 6th. Torre obviously wanted to make sure Johnson finished the game on a high note. Erickson gave Torre just what he needed, a scoreless inning to turn the pen over to the late inning guys. Mike Myers K'ed David Ortiz to start the 7th before giving way to Scott Proctor. For the 2nd straight night Proctor served up a home run ball to Manny Ramirez to cut the lead to 8-6.
Kyle Farnsworth took over in the 7th and immediately got in a jam due to an error by Stinnett. A one-out single and a stolen base by Alex Gonzalez put the tying run in scoring position with the top of the order coming up. Farnsworth blew a 97 mph fastball past Youkilis for the 2nd out of the inning, but then wildly walked Mark Loretta to load the bases. The last pitch was actually a wild pitch, but for some reason Wily Mo Pena didn't break off of third. He would have scored easily. So here was the situation again. David Ortiz in a clutch situation against the Yankees. No one could be blamed for looking away from the screen. Farnsworth came through though, freezing Ortiz with a breaking pitch for a called third strike to end the inning.
Manny Ramirez destroyed the Yankees in the series. Four home runs, 10 RBI, and not one pitch pushing him off the plate in the process. Mariano Rivera finally did that to a degree in the 9th as Ramirez overreacted as if the pitch were closer. Ramirez should just thank his lucky stars the Yankees don't have the balls to throw at anyone. Rivera retired Ramirez, Varitek, and Mike Lowell in order for his 10th save and the Yankees could enjoy their day off on Thursday.
Notes
Johnny Damon sat out the game with a sore back. Jorge Posada is scheduled for an MRI today to take a look at his ailing tendon. Rawlings will also be sending a representative to rework the straps on Posada's shin protector.
The Yankees bolstered their minor league infield with the acquisition of Nick Green from Tampa Bay for cash. Green was hitting just .077 when the Rays opted to dump him.
El Duque is back in New York, but in the wrong uniform. The Mets acquired Orlando Hernandez from Arizona yesterday for disappointing relief pitcher Jorge Julio. There's no question that Duque's stock is not what it used to be, but AZ could do no better than Julio?
Octavio Dotel threw a 30-pitch, 3-inning extended Spring Training outing yesterday. A June activation from the DL is still hopeful.
Before the game, the Yankees demoted Kevin Reese and recalled left-hander Matt Smith.
To say this was a huge victory would be an understatement. After losing 2 of 3 to the Mets and having no Jorge Posada or Johnny Damon in the starting lineup last night, the odds of winning were not great. Clement throwing for the Sox was of course a bit of an equalizer. You need someone to step up in these games and last night that guy was Melky Cabrera. The Yankees rushed this kids to the majors last season and he was totally overmatched at the plate and in the field. His return this season looked like it was a 2005 redux as he dropped a wind blown pop up against the Sox at The Stadium. A lot has changed since then, however, as Melky has not only played better in the field, but has shown he's got a major league stick. He's also had some huge at-bats such as the 11 pitch walk against Billy Wagner that help rally the Yankees to victory against the Mets last Saturday.
Last night Cabrera came through twice in spots where veterans have failed this season. The Yankees were trailing 2-1 with 2 outs in the 2nd inning when Cabrera came up with the bases loaded. He pulled one past a diving Kevin Youkilis for a 2-run single to right to give the Yankees the lead. Moments later Derek Jeter doubled in Kelly Stinnett to put the Bombers on top 4-2.
Randy Johnson gave that lead right back though. Already having given up a 2-run homer to Manny Ramirez in the first, Johnson served up a fat one to Youkilis with a man aboard to tie the game 4-4. One inning later, Jason Varitek singled in the go-ahead run and the Sox still had two on and none out. Johnson (6-4) then, improbably, struck out Wily Mo Pena, Dustan Mohr, and Alex Gonzalez to end the inning.
The Yankees went after Clement (4-4) again in the fifth as Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Bernie Williams, and Terrence Long stroked consecutive singles to put two on the board and put the Yankees back on top 6-5. With another two-on, two-out situation facing him, Cabrera came through again, delivering another two-run single for an 8-5 lead.
Despite having retired 8 of his last 9, Torre pulled a pleading Randy Johnson to start the 6th. Torre obviously wanted to make sure Johnson finished the game on a high note. Erickson gave Torre just what he needed, a scoreless inning to turn the pen over to the late inning guys. Mike Myers K'ed David Ortiz to start the 7th before giving way to Scott Proctor. For the 2nd straight night Proctor served up a home run ball to Manny Ramirez to cut the lead to 8-6.
Kyle Farnsworth took over in the 7th and immediately got in a jam due to an error by Stinnett. A one-out single and a stolen base by Alex Gonzalez put the tying run in scoring position with the top of the order coming up. Farnsworth blew a 97 mph fastball past Youkilis for the 2nd out of the inning, but then wildly walked Mark Loretta to load the bases. The last pitch was actually a wild pitch, but for some reason Wily Mo Pena didn't break off of third. He would have scored easily. So here was the situation again. David Ortiz in a clutch situation against the Yankees. No one could be blamed for looking away from the screen. Farnsworth came through though, freezing Ortiz with a breaking pitch for a called third strike to end the inning.
Manny Ramirez destroyed the Yankees in the series. Four home runs, 10 RBI, and not one pitch pushing him off the plate in the process. Mariano Rivera finally did that to a degree in the 9th as Ramirez overreacted as if the pitch were closer. Ramirez should just thank his lucky stars the Yankees don't have the balls to throw at anyone. Rivera retired Ramirez, Varitek, and Mike Lowell in order for his 10th save and the Yankees could enjoy their day off on Thursday.
Notes
Johnny Damon sat out the game with a sore back. Jorge Posada is scheduled for an MRI today to take a look at his ailing tendon. Rawlings will also be sending a representative to rework the straps on Posada's shin protector.
The Yankees bolstered their minor league infield with the acquisition of Nick Green from Tampa Bay for cash. Green was hitting just .077 when the Rays opted to dump him.
El Duque is back in New York, but in the wrong uniform. The Mets acquired Orlando Hernandez from Arizona yesterday for disappointing relief pitcher Jorge Julio. There's no question that Duque's stock is not what it used to be, but AZ could do no better than Julio?
Octavio Dotel threw a 30-pitch, 3-inning extended Spring Training outing yesterday. A June activation from the DL is still hopeful.
Before the game, the Yankees demoted Kevin Reese and recalled left-hander Matt Smith.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
A-Rod Bolsters Resume
3-Run Homer Difference in 7-5 Win
He heard every time there is a regular season series with the Red Sox or Mets. Every time the post-season rolls around. Alex Rodriguez doesn't come through in the clutch, when the spotlight is at its glaringly brightest. He heard it this past weekend as the Yankees lost 2 of 3 to the Mets and the Bombers left 15 men on base Sunday night. But very quietly, A-Rod has had some big hits. Last night was one of them. Leading 4-1 over the Red Sox, A-Rod broke the game open with a 3-run blast off of Tim Wakefield to give the Yankees a 7-1 lead in the 7th. It was the difference maker as the Yankees bullpen hung on for a 7-5 win.
Rodriguez also had a big hit against the Sox earlier this month when he hit a monstrous shot off of Curt Schilling to break up a tie game. Part of the reason he gets so much heat is that A-Rod comes up in so many of these situations, and holding true to baseball form, he fails 7 to 7 1/2 times out of 10. While that may lead to a good batting average, it doesn't say much for you when you are the highest paid player in the game with the highest fan expectations. He'll get a reprieve for one night though.
Jaret Wright has struggled with injuries throughout much of his career, but his health and pitching have been much better of late. Last night he threw a very effective 5 innings and left with a 3-0 lead. Having thrown only 77 pitches he would have gone further, but he tweaked his groin in the 3rd inning and Joe Torre was not taking any chances. Wright will be re-evaluated today. Wright, who wore a bull’s-eye on his back last year for hit balls and broken bats, was nailed in the side by the very first batter he faced, Kevin Youkilis. Wright trapped the ball against his body with his bare hand for the out.
Johnny Damon gave Wright an instead lead by hitting his 17th career lead off home run in the 1st. It was his 5th home run of the season and his 1st lead off home run as a Yankee. In the third, Damon helped set things up again by following Andy Phillips walk with a double. Derek Jeter bounced one back through the middle for a 2-run single and a 3-0 lead. Wright (2-3) meanwhile kept the Sox hitters at bay, getting out of 1st and 2nd, no one out jams in both the 2nd and 4th innings.
The Yankees tacked one on in the 6th without the aid of a hit. Rodriguez struck out, but Doug Mirabelli couldn't handle Tim Wakefield's (3-6) knuckler and A-Rod reached on the passed ball. Two more passed balls sandwiched around a ground out brought Rodriguez home with the Yankees fourth run.
The Red Sox are dangerous even when behind and they showed it again last night. Trailing 7-1 in the 7th, Scott Proctor, who had replaced Wright to start the 6th, ran into trouble by issuing back-to-back lead off walks to Youkilis and Mark Loretta. Proctor managed to get David Ortiz to line out to center, but Manny Ramirez smoked a Poctor pitch deep into the center field seats for a 3-run homer to cut the lead to 7-4. Manny being Manny, also walked about the first 10 steps out of the batters box, inviting a future fastball in his ear. Unfortunately, the Yankees never have the balls to do that.
Mike Myers replaced Proctor and promptly walked Trot Nixon. Kyle Farnsworth's walk to light hitting Alex Cora brought the tying run to the plate in the person of Doug Mirabelli, but Farnsworth bounced back, K'ing Mirabelli swinging.
In the eighth inning Farnsworth created the same trouble as Proctor - walking Youkilis and Loretta with the Yankee killers, Ortiz and Ramirez, coming up. Joe Torre practically ran to the mound to fetch Mariano Rivera from the bullpen. Mo jammed Ortiz with a cutter to pop him up for the 2nd out of the inning. Rivera left one out over the plate for Ramirez who ripped it to center for an RBI single. And yes, Ramirez strolled out of the box admiring his single.
The Sox had one more shot against Rivera in the 9th. Cora singled with one away to give the Sox a pair of chances with the tying run at the plate, but Rivera popped Varitek up to Phillips at first and struck out Dustan Mohr to end it for this 9th save.
Notes
Gary Sheffield returned to the lineup after a 1 game rehab assignment at Double-A Trenton. He went 0-3 with 2 walks, a run scored, and a stolen base. He also confirmed that he has a broken hamate bone in his left hand. To make room on the roster, Colter Bean was designated for assignment
Kevin Reese is expected to be returned to Columbus today, with either Ramiro Mendoza or Matt Smith being recalled.
Last night marked the third time the Yankees faced Tim Wakefield and the first time they were able to score more than 3 runs off of him.
David Wells is expected to be activated this weekend for the Sox and Coco Crisp isn't far behind.
In addition to Wright's groin problem, Jorge Posada is expected to miss tonight's game and is listed as day-to-day with a sore tendon behind his knee. Posada is looking to change the strap on his shin guard to alleviate the pain.
He heard every time there is a regular season series with the Red Sox or Mets. Every time the post-season rolls around. Alex Rodriguez doesn't come through in the clutch, when the spotlight is at its glaringly brightest. He heard it this past weekend as the Yankees lost 2 of 3 to the Mets and the Bombers left 15 men on base Sunday night. But very quietly, A-Rod has had some big hits. Last night was one of them. Leading 4-1 over the Red Sox, A-Rod broke the game open with a 3-run blast off of Tim Wakefield to give the Yankees a 7-1 lead in the 7th. It was the difference maker as the Yankees bullpen hung on for a 7-5 win.
Rodriguez also had a big hit against the Sox earlier this month when he hit a monstrous shot off of Curt Schilling to break up a tie game. Part of the reason he gets so much heat is that A-Rod comes up in so many of these situations, and holding true to baseball form, he fails 7 to 7 1/2 times out of 10. While that may lead to a good batting average, it doesn't say much for you when you are the highest paid player in the game with the highest fan expectations. He'll get a reprieve for one night though.
Jaret Wright has struggled with injuries throughout much of his career, but his health and pitching have been much better of late. Last night he threw a very effective 5 innings and left with a 3-0 lead. Having thrown only 77 pitches he would have gone further, but he tweaked his groin in the 3rd inning and Joe Torre was not taking any chances. Wright will be re-evaluated today. Wright, who wore a bull’s-eye on his back last year for hit balls and broken bats, was nailed in the side by the very first batter he faced, Kevin Youkilis. Wright trapped the ball against his body with his bare hand for the out.
Johnny Damon gave Wright an instead lead by hitting his 17th career lead off home run in the 1st. It was his 5th home run of the season and his 1st lead off home run as a Yankee. In the third, Damon helped set things up again by following Andy Phillips walk with a double. Derek Jeter bounced one back through the middle for a 2-run single and a 3-0 lead. Wright (2-3) meanwhile kept the Sox hitters at bay, getting out of 1st and 2nd, no one out jams in both the 2nd and 4th innings.
The Yankees tacked one on in the 6th without the aid of a hit. Rodriguez struck out, but Doug Mirabelli couldn't handle Tim Wakefield's (3-6) knuckler and A-Rod reached on the passed ball. Two more passed balls sandwiched around a ground out brought Rodriguez home with the Yankees fourth run.
The Red Sox are dangerous even when behind and they showed it again last night. Trailing 7-1 in the 7th, Scott Proctor, who had replaced Wright to start the 6th, ran into trouble by issuing back-to-back lead off walks to Youkilis and Mark Loretta. Proctor managed to get David Ortiz to line out to center, but Manny Ramirez smoked a Poctor pitch deep into the center field seats for a 3-run homer to cut the lead to 7-4. Manny being Manny, also walked about the first 10 steps out of the batters box, inviting a future fastball in his ear. Unfortunately, the Yankees never have the balls to do that.
Mike Myers replaced Proctor and promptly walked Trot Nixon. Kyle Farnsworth's walk to light hitting Alex Cora brought the tying run to the plate in the person of Doug Mirabelli, but Farnsworth bounced back, K'ing Mirabelli swinging.
In the eighth inning Farnsworth created the same trouble as Proctor - walking Youkilis and Loretta with the Yankee killers, Ortiz and Ramirez, coming up. Joe Torre practically ran to the mound to fetch Mariano Rivera from the bullpen. Mo jammed Ortiz with a cutter to pop him up for the 2nd out of the inning. Rivera left one out over the plate for Ramirez who ripped it to center for an RBI single. And yes, Ramirez strolled out of the box admiring his single.
The Sox had one more shot against Rivera in the 9th. Cora singled with one away to give the Sox a pair of chances with the tying run at the plate, but Rivera popped Varitek up to Phillips at first and struck out Dustan Mohr to end it for this 9th save.
Notes
Gary Sheffield returned to the lineup after a 1 game rehab assignment at Double-A Trenton. He went 0-3 with 2 walks, a run scored, and a stolen base. He also confirmed that he has a broken hamate bone in his left hand. To make room on the roster, Colter Bean was designated for assignment
Kevin Reese is expected to be returned to Columbus today, with either Ramiro Mendoza or Matt Smith being recalled.
Last night marked the third time the Yankees faced Tim Wakefield and the first time they were able to score more than 3 runs off of him.
David Wells is expected to be activated this weekend for the Sox and Coco Crisp isn't far behind.
In addition to Wright's groin problem, Jorge Posada is expected to miss tonight's game and is listed as day-to-day with a sore tendon behind his knee. Posada is looking to change the strap on his shin guard to alleviate the pain.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Chowder Again?
In the oddity that is Major League Baseball scheduling the Yankees travel to Boston today to start a three game series with the Red Sox. This is the third series with Boston this month and the Yankees second trip to Fenway. The first series only lasted one game due to rain. In that one game, their nemesis David Ortiz belted a 3-run home run off lefty specialist Mike Myers to send the Yankees on their way with a loss. The Sox took 2 of 3 in New York a week later and Mark Loretta managed to wipe out Hideki Matsui and Shawn Chacon in the same game with some well placed hits.
Pitching Match Ups
Monday: Chien-Ming Wang 4-1, 3.79 vs. Curt Schilling 6-2, 4.17
Tuesday: Jaret Wright 1-3, 4.94 vs. Tim Wakefield 3-5, 4.17
Wednesday: Randy Johnson 5-4, 5.62 vs. Matt Clement 4-3, 5.36
One player that needs to turn things around in this series is Johnny Damon. Damon is just 1-16 against his former teammates this year. Get over it Johnny. You're in NY now, get some damn hits.
Randy Johnson vs. Matt Clement - that has all the makings of a 10-9 game.
It's time to look at the Yankees Hitting w RISP - Runner in Scoring Position or WNTH - When not to Hit.
Player - 2006 - Career
Derek Jeter .362 .301
A-Rod .250 .302
Jason Giambi .333 .309
Gary Sheffield .250 .316
Robinson Cano .302 .234
Jorge Posada .353 .284
Johnny Damon .303 .298
Bernie Williams .310 .307
Melky Cabrera .125 .083 (12 ABs)
Kelly Stinnett .200 .234
Andy Phillips .167 .174
Miguel Cairo .308 .250
Hideki Matsui .258 .311
Now these numbers are misleading. They're probably better this year than you or I expected. The thing is that these numbers are a product of a high scoring offense. When the Yankees go out and score 6-10 runs a game their RISP average will improve, but there are too many times in lower scoring games where they do not come through. Basically you can throw most of these numbers out the window.
Pitching Match Ups
Monday: Chien-Ming Wang 4-1, 3.79 vs. Curt Schilling 6-2, 4.17
Tuesday: Jaret Wright 1-3, 4.94 vs. Tim Wakefield 3-5, 4.17
Wednesday: Randy Johnson 5-4, 5.62 vs. Matt Clement 4-3, 5.36
One player that needs to turn things around in this series is Johnny Damon. Damon is just 1-16 against his former teammates this year. Get over it Johnny. You're in NY now, get some damn hits.
Randy Johnson vs. Matt Clement - that has all the makings of a 10-9 game.
It's time to look at the Yankees Hitting w RISP - Runner in Scoring Position or WNTH - When not to Hit.
Player - 2006 - Career
Derek Jeter .362 .301
A-Rod .250 .302
Jason Giambi .333 .309
Gary Sheffield .250 .316
Robinson Cano .302 .234
Jorge Posada .353 .284
Johnny Damon .303 .298
Bernie Williams .310 .307
Melky Cabrera .125 .083 (12 ABs)
Kelly Stinnett .200 .234
Andy Phillips .167 .174
Miguel Cairo .308 .250
Hideki Matsui .258 .311
Now these numbers are misleading. They're probably better this year than you or I expected. The thing is that these numbers are a product of a high scoring offense. When the Yankees go out and score 6-10 runs a game their RISP average will improve, but there are too many times in lower scoring games where they do not come through. Basically you can throw most of these numbers out the window.
Delgado, Wright Blast Yankees 4-3
Yankees Strand 15 in Loss
Carlos Delgado and David Wright belted long home runs off of Aaron Small (0-2) last night as the Mets pitching staff made like Houdini escaping one jam after another in a 4-3 win. The Yankees had runners on in an every inning, but could only manage to push 3 runs across, stranding 15 in the process. Small, filling in for the injured Shawn Chacon, pitched a strong first 3 innings before running into trouble in the 4th. After allowing lead off singles to Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado smacked a hanger over the fence in left-center to give the Mets a 3-2 lead. One pitch later David Wright hit a tape measure shot to left that may still be traveling. Small was yanked after allowing a pair of base runners in the 5th and the Yankees bullpen shut the Mets out for the rest of the night to give the visitors a chance. One chance after another that went by the boards against Mets starter Tom Glavine (7-2) and the bullpen.
In the first, the Yankees had two and two out, but Robinson Cano grounded to Kaz Matsui to end it. Bernie Williams led off the second with a double, his first of three hits and moved to third on a ground out. But Kelly Stinnett and Melky Cabrera both K'ed. One inning later Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi singled, but Alex Rodriguez flied out and Cano grounded out again.
The Yankees finally broke through in the fourth with some help from David Wright. The Yankees loaded the bases on a double by Williams, a walk to Stinnett, and Damon's hit by pitch. Jeter's hard grounder in the hole on the left side was misplayed by David Wright who pulled up too soon on the ball, resulting in a 2-run single. After a walk to Giambi, A-Rod had another chance, but his line drive was snared by Cliff Floyd in left.
Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, Jeter bounced into an inning ending double play. The Yankees loaded the bases against Aaron Heilman in the 7th, but Stinnett bounced out to strand three more. Giambi's sacrifice fly in the eighth cut the lead to 4-3, but Duaner Sanchez got A-Rod to bounce into another inning ending DP.
The Yankees had one more chance against a shaky Billy Wagner in the 9th. Williams and Cabrera stroked one out singles, but Wagner K'ed Stinnett and got Miguel Cairo to ground to earn his 9th save.
Notes
Mike Myers, Colter Bean, Ron Villone, and Scott Erickson combined for 4 2-3 shutout innings, allowing just 2 base runners.
Shawn Chacon was put on the DL after the game and newly signed outfielder Terrence Long was recalled from the minors. Small will continue to take Chacon's turn in the rotation.
Still looking for more offense, the Yankees signed Eurubial Durazo today to a minor league deal. Durazo had off-season Tommy John surgery and signed a minor league deal with Texas prior to the season. He was released by the Rangers on May 17. Durazo had his best season with the A's in 2004, hitting .321-22-88, but the elbow injury limited him to just 41 games last season.
Gary Sheffield is expected to play one rehab game at Double-A Trenton this evening before being activated from the DL for Tuesday's game with Boston.
Carlos Delgado and David Wright belted long home runs off of Aaron Small (0-2) last night as the Mets pitching staff made like Houdini escaping one jam after another in a 4-3 win. The Yankees had runners on in an every inning, but could only manage to push 3 runs across, stranding 15 in the process. Small, filling in for the injured Shawn Chacon, pitched a strong first 3 innings before running into trouble in the 4th. After allowing lead off singles to Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado smacked a hanger over the fence in left-center to give the Mets a 3-2 lead. One pitch later David Wright hit a tape measure shot to left that may still be traveling. Small was yanked after allowing a pair of base runners in the 5th and the Yankees bullpen shut the Mets out for the rest of the night to give the visitors a chance. One chance after another that went by the boards against Mets starter Tom Glavine (7-2) and the bullpen.
In the first, the Yankees had two and two out, but Robinson Cano grounded to Kaz Matsui to end it. Bernie Williams led off the second with a double, his first of three hits and moved to third on a ground out. But Kelly Stinnett and Melky Cabrera both K'ed. One inning later Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi singled, but Alex Rodriguez flied out and Cano grounded out again.
The Yankees finally broke through in the fourth with some help from David Wright. The Yankees loaded the bases on a double by Williams, a walk to Stinnett, and Damon's hit by pitch. Jeter's hard grounder in the hole on the left side was misplayed by David Wright who pulled up too soon on the ball, resulting in a 2-run single. After a walk to Giambi, A-Rod had another chance, but his line drive was snared by Cliff Floyd in left.
Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, Jeter bounced into an inning ending double play. The Yankees loaded the bases against Aaron Heilman in the 7th, but Stinnett bounced out to strand three more. Giambi's sacrifice fly in the eighth cut the lead to 4-3, but Duaner Sanchez got A-Rod to bounce into another inning ending DP.
The Yankees had one more chance against a shaky Billy Wagner in the 9th. Williams and Cabrera stroked one out singles, but Wagner K'ed Stinnett and got Miguel Cairo to ground to earn his 9th save.
Notes
Mike Myers, Colter Bean, Ron Villone, and Scott Erickson combined for 4 2-3 shutout innings, allowing just 2 base runners.
Shawn Chacon was put on the DL after the game and newly signed outfielder Terrence Long was recalled from the minors. Small will continue to take Chacon's turn in the rotation.
Still looking for more offense, the Yankees signed Eurubial Durazo today to a minor league deal. Durazo had off-season Tommy John surgery and signed a minor league deal with Texas prior to the season. He was released by the Rangers on May 17. Durazo had his best season with the A's in 2004, hitting .321-22-88, but the elbow injury limited him to just 41 games last season.
Gary Sheffield is expected to play one rehab game at Double-A Trenton this evening before being activated from the DL for Tuesday's game with Boston.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Phillips Screws Mets 5-4
Yankees rally against fake Sandman
As the Mets fans stretched in the middle of the seventh inning on Saturday, visions of a three game Subway Series sweep danced through their heads. Pedro Martinez had just dominated the Yankees hitters allowing just four hits and striking out eight in a very tidy 102 pitch performance. The fans knew they were just one inning away from seeing Billy Wagner throw 98-99 mph fastballs to close things out. Wagner had struck out the side on Friday to pick up the win in the Mets 7-6 victory. Everything was laid out just as it should be. Only probably was no one told Wagner or the Yankees. Wagner was torched for 4 runs in an improbably 9th inning rally and Andy Phillips singled in the game winner in the 11th as the Yankees prevailed 5-4.
Jason Giambi started the 9th with a single up the middle and Alex Rodriguez followed with a walk. Robinson Cano slapped a single to center to score Giambi and the shut out was broken. Miguel Cairo flied out to center and Wagner quickly got ahead of Melky Cabrera, 0-2. But Cabrera hung tough and worked out an 11 pitch at-bat that culminated in a walk to load the bases. A flustered Wagner then walked catcher Kelly Stinnett on 4 pitches to force in the second run of the inning. When Wagner hit pinch-hitter Bernie Williams in the leg to force in a third run, manager Willie Randolph had seen enough. He signaled for Pedro Feliciano to set up a lefty-lefty match up with Johnny Damon. Randolph got what he wanted as Damon bounced to Jose Reyes at short for the start of a potential game ending double play. Damon busted it down the line though and beat Kaz Matsui's relay to first to tie the game. Randolph came out and briefly argued the call, but replays showed that first base ump Tom Hallion had made the correct call. Chad Bradford then replaced Feliciano and got Derek Jeter to bounce out to keep the game tied.
After Scott Proctor retired the side in order in the 9th, including a pair of strike outs, Jason Giambi led off the 10th with a walk against Jorge Julio. A-Rod quickly ended any thought of a rally by bouncing into a double play. Mariano Rivera gave up a 1-out single to Kaz Matsui in the Mets half of the inning, but struck out Carlos Beltran and got Carlos Delgado to bounce weakly to second.
Any Yankee fan worth his salt knew that if the Yankees didn't score in the top of the 11th the Yankees were toast. Scott Erickson was warming up in the pen and it was obvious Joe Torre might not go back to Rivera if the game was still tied. Thankfully Miguel Cairo and Andy Phillips took care of that. Cairo worked a walk to start the 11th. Julio struck out Cabrera, but Cairo stole 2nd on the play without drawing a throw. After Stinnett k'ed, Cairo stole 3rd as well. Then it was up to Phillips who was batting just .174 at the time. He raised it to .191 with a line single to center to score Cairo and put the Yankees in front for the first time all day. Then it was up to the real Sandman to shut things down. And that's just what Mariano Rivera did.
David Wright who won Friday's game with a hit over Johnny Damon's head, and had repeated the fete in Saturday's game for an RBI double, was the first to go down swinging. Cliff Floyd who had blasted a solo shot off of starter Mike Mussina was the next victim, flailing at a cutter for the 2nd out. Rivera then blew away Xavier Nady and the Yankees had set up a rubber game for national TV on Sunday night.
Notes
The Yankees started the game poorly, as A-Rod was charged with an error on lead off man Jose Reyes's little tapper. A-Rod's throw pulled Giambi off the bag at first. It was a tough play though and surprisingly was not called a hit by the home team official scorer. Reyes promptly stole 2nd and Stinnett threw the ball into center field for a second error with Reyes advancing to third. The teams combined for 7 errors in the game; all 4 Yankee errors were on throws.
The oddity of official scoring rules leads to things like this. Despite the implosion by Billy Wagner he wasn't charged with a blown save. When he left the game it was still 4-3, so Pedro Feliciano gets a blown save despite the fact that he produced a potential game ending double play that Damon's speed foiled. It was clear to everyone who blew this game though.
Jorge Posada sat out the game to rest his back and is hopeful of playing Sunday night though holding him out for this week's Red Sox series would make more sense.
Kyle Farnsworth also sat out Saturday's game, but should be good to go on Sunday. The Yankees may not have Rivera available after 3 innings in two days, so Farnsworth would be needed if the game is close.
It remains to be seen if Billy Wagner will be available for the Mets after throwing 31 pitches on the heels of Friday night's game.
As the Mets fans stretched in the middle of the seventh inning on Saturday, visions of a three game Subway Series sweep danced through their heads. Pedro Martinez had just dominated the Yankees hitters allowing just four hits and striking out eight in a very tidy 102 pitch performance. The fans knew they were just one inning away from seeing Billy Wagner throw 98-99 mph fastballs to close things out. Wagner had struck out the side on Friday to pick up the win in the Mets 7-6 victory. Everything was laid out just as it should be. Only probably was no one told Wagner or the Yankees. Wagner was torched for 4 runs in an improbably 9th inning rally and Andy Phillips singled in the game winner in the 11th as the Yankees prevailed 5-4.
Jason Giambi started the 9th with a single up the middle and Alex Rodriguez followed with a walk. Robinson Cano slapped a single to center to score Giambi and the shut out was broken. Miguel Cairo flied out to center and Wagner quickly got ahead of Melky Cabrera, 0-2. But Cabrera hung tough and worked out an 11 pitch at-bat that culminated in a walk to load the bases. A flustered Wagner then walked catcher Kelly Stinnett on 4 pitches to force in the second run of the inning. When Wagner hit pinch-hitter Bernie Williams in the leg to force in a third run, manager Willie Randolph had seen enough. He signaled for Pedro Feliciano to set up a lefty-lefty match up with Johnny Damon. Randolph got what he wanted as Damon bounced to Jose Reyes at short for the start of a potential game ending double play. Damon busted it down the line though and beat Kaz Matsui's relay to first to tie the game. Randolph came out and briefly argued the call, but replays showed that first base ump Tom Hallion had made the correct call. Chad Bradford then replaced Feliciano and got Derek Jeter to bounce out to keep the game tied.
After Scott Proctor retired the side in order in the 9th, including a pair of strike outs, Jason Giambi led off the 10th with a walk against Jorge Julio. A-Rod quickly ended any thought of a rally by bouncing into a double play. Mariano Rivera gave up a 1-out single to Kaz Matsui in the Mets half of the inning, but struck out Carlos Beltran and got Carlos Delgado to bounce weakly to second.
Any Yankee fan worth his salt knew that if the Yankees didn't score in the top of the 11th the Yankees were toast. Scott Erickson was warming up in the pen and it was obvious Joe Torre might not go back to Rivera if the game was still tied. Thankfully Miguel Cairo and Andy Phillips took care of that. Cairo worked a walk to start the 11th. Julio struck out Cabrera, but Cairo stole 2nd on the play without drawing a throw. After Stinnett k'ed, Cairo stole 3rd as well. Then it was up to Phillips who was batting just .174 at the time. He raised it to .191 with a line single to center to score Cairo and put the Yankees in front for the first time all day. Then it was up to the real Sandman to shut things down. And that's just what Mariano Rivera did.
David Wright who won Friday's game with a hit over Johnny Damon's head, and had repeated the fete in Saturday's game for an RBI double, was the first to go down swinging. Cliff Floyd who had blasted a solo shot off of starter Mike Mussina was the next victim, flailing at a cutter for the 2nd out. Rivera then blew away Xavier Nady and the Yankees had set up a rubber game for national TV on Sunday night.
Notes
The Yankees started the game poorly, as A-Rod was charged with an error on lead off man Jose Reyes's little tapper. A-Rod's throw pulled Giambi off the bag at first. It was a tough play though and surprisingly was not called a hit by the home team official scorer. Reyes promptly stole 2nd and Stinnett threw the ball into center field for a second error with Reyes advancing to third. The teams combined for 7 errors in the game; all 4 Yankee errors were on throws.
The oddity of official scoring rules leads to things like this. Despite the implosion by Billy Wagner he wasn't charged with a blown save. When he left the game it was still 4-3, so Pedro Feliciano gets a blown save despite the fact that he produced a potential game ending double play that Damon's speed foiled. It was clear to everyone who blew this game though.
Jorge Posada sat out the game to rest his back and is hopeful of playing Sunday night though holding him out for this week's Red Sox series would make more sense.
Kyle Farnsworth also sat out Saturday's game, but should be good to go on Sunday. The Yankees may not have Rivera available after 3 innings in two days, so Farnsworth would be needed if the game is close.
It remains to be seen if Billy Wagner will be available for the Mets after throwing 31 pitches on the heels of Friday night's game.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
How Many Losses in a Unit?
Johnson throws another one away, 7-6
Injuries, stranding runners and unreliable pitching performances have beset the Yankees this season and last night's 7-6 loss to the New York Mets was another example of that. The Yankees jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Randy Johnson quickly gave it all back. Jorge Posada had to leave the game in the 2nd inning with back spasms, Bernie Williams pulled a muscle in his ass legging out a double, and Mariano Rivera lost the game in the 9th. The 2006 Yankee season is quickly unraveling.
Things started out great as the Yankees knocked Mets starter Jeremi Gonzalez around in the first inning. Johnny Damon led off the ball game with a double and scored on Derek Jeter's single to left. After Jeter stole 2nd, Jason Giambi walked to set the table for Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod came through with an RBI single, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double as Giambi reached third. Gonzalez finally retired Posada on a ground out, but Robinson Cano and Williams stroked back-to-back doubles to plate two more. The lack of a DH immediately came into play as Melky Cabrera was intentionally walked to set up a match up with Johnson. The Big Unit went down swinging to end the inning.
Buoyed by a 4-0 lead, Johnson immediately walked the Mets lead off hitter, Jose Reyes. After a walk to Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Beltran blasted his 11th home run of the season over the fence in left to cut the lead to 4-3.
Cano's sacrifice fly in the third stretched the lead to 5-3, but Xavier Nady took Johnson deep to right-center with a man aboard in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. It was Nady's 9th home run of the season. The tie didn't last long as Jeter led off fourth with a double, knocking Gonzalez out of the game in the process. Darren Oliver hit Jason Giambi with a pitch before striking out A-Rod for the first out of the inning. Jorge Posada was warming up Johnson in the 2nd when he had to leave the game with back spasms. His replacement Kelly Stinnett stroked his 2nd hit of the ball game, an RBI single to left to score Jeter and put the Yankees back on top 6-5. Bernie Williams two-out infield single loaded the bases, but Cabrera grounded out to end the inning.
The Mets stranded two runners in the fourth before tying things up off of Johnson again in the 5th. David Wright singled with one man out and advanced to 2nd on Nady's ground out. The much maligned Kaz Matsui came through with a single to right to tie the game up again, 6-6. It would stay that way until the ninth when the slightly younger sandman out did the older one.
Billy Wagner (3-0) struck out Giambi, A-Rod, and Stinnett for a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Mariano Rivera would not come away unscathed. Many wondered why Kyle Farnsworth, who had pitched the eighth, wasn't brought back for the 9th with a tie game on the road. It was revealed later that he too was suffering from a sore back and couldn't continue. Meanwhile Rivera's struggles of late continued. With one out and a 1-2 count on Lo Duca, Rivera left a cutter over the plate and Lo Duca yanked it to left for a double. Rivera came back to strike out Carlos Beltran for the 2nd out and set up a potential face-off with Carlos Delgado. Delgado was 7-18 (.389) lifetime against Rivera (1-3) with no home runs, 1 RBI and 3 strike outs. In an unusual move, the Yankees intentionally walked Delgago to face the less experienced Wright. There was a time an intentional walk never even would have been considered. Delgado is swinging the bat well and Wright is inexperienced, but Rivera has greater success with his cutter against lefties than against righties. Wright proved that point when he hit a pitch deep over the head of Damon in center to win the ball game 7-6.
Notes
Rivera has now been scored upon in 3 of his
last 5 outings.
After a visit to Dr. James Andrews, Carl Pavano will be having surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Pavano had bone chips removed in 2000 as well. Andrews will also be performing surgery on Tanyon Sturtze's rotator cuff.
With Bernie Williams joining the banged up outfield list, Kevin Reese is expected to get the start in left field today.
Injuries, stranding runners and unreliable pitching performances have beset the Yankees this season and last night's 7-6 loss to the New York Mets was another example of that. The Yankees jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Randy Johnson quickly gave it all back. Jorge Posada had to leave the game in the 2nd inning with back spasms, Bernie Williams pulled a muscle in his ass legging out a double, and Mariano Rivera lost the game in the 9th. The 2006 Yankee season is quickly unraveling.
Things started out great as the Yankees knocked Mets starter Jeremi Gonzalez around in the first inning. Johnny Damon led off the ball game with a double and scored on Derek Jeter's single to left. After Jeter stole 2nd, Jason Giambi walked to set the table for Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod came through with an RBI single, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double as Giambi reached third. Gonzalez finally retired Posada on a ground out, but Robinson Cano and Williams stroked back-to-back doubles to plate two more. The lack of a DH immediately came into play as Melky Cabrera was intentionally walked to set up a match up with Johnson. The Big Unit went down swinging to end the inning.
Buoyed by a 4-0 lead, Johnson immediately walked the Mets lead off hitter, Jose Reyes. After a walk to Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Beltran blasted his 11th home run of the season over the fence in left to cut the lead to 4-3.
Cano's sacrifice fly in the third stretched the lead to 5-3, but Xavier Nady took Johnson deep to right-center with a man aboard in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. It was Nady's 9th home run of the season. The tie didn't last long as Jeter led off fourth with a double, knocking Gonzalez out of the game in the process. Darren Oliver hit Jason Giambi with a pitch before striking out A-Rod for the first out of the inning. Jorge Posada was warming up Johnson in the 2nd when he had to leave the game with back spasms. His replacement Kelly Stinnett stroked his 2nd hit of the ball game, an RBI single to left to score Jeter and put the Yankees back on top 6-5. Bernie Williams two-out infield single loaded the bases, but Cabrera grounded out to end the inning.
The Mets stranded two runners in the fourth before tying things up off of Johnson again in the 5th. David Wright singled with one man out and advanced to 2nd on Nady's ground out. The much maligned Kaz Matsui came through with a single to right to tie the game up again, 6-6. It would stay that way until the ninth when the slightly younger sandman out did the older one.
Billy Wagner (3-0) struck out Giambi, A-Rod, and Stinnett for a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Mariano Rivera would not come away unscathed. Many wondered why Kyle Farnsworth, who had pitched the eighth, wasn't brought back for the 9th with a tie game on the road. It was revealed later that he too was suffering from a sore back and couldn't continue. Meanwhile Rivera's struggles of late continued. With one out and a 1-2 count on Lo Duca, Rivera left a cutter over the plate and Lo Duca yanked it to left for a double. Rivera came back to strike out Carlos Beltran for the 2nd out and set up a potential face-off with Carlos Delgado. Delgado was 7-18 (.389) lifetime against Rivera (1-3) with no home runs, 1 RBI and 3 strike outs. In an unusual move, the Yankees intentionally walked Delgago to face the less experienced Wright. There was a time an intentional walk never even would have been considered. Delgado is swinging the bat well and Wright is inexperienced, but Rivera has greater success with his cutter against lefties than against righties. Wright proved that point when he hit a pitch deep over the head of Damon in center to win the ball game 7-6.
Notes
Rivera has now been scored upon in 3 of his
last 5 outings.
After a visit to Dr. James Andrews, Carl Pavano will be having surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Pavano had bone chips removed in 2000 as well. Andrews will also be performing surgery on Tanyon Sturtze's rotator cuff.
With Bernie Williams joining the banged up outfield list, Kevin Reese is expected to get the start in left field today.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Pulling Into The Station
It's that time again - interleague play is upon us. There have been some interesting match ups over the years, but overall this is one big bore already. Having to play teams from the other league that impact your standings is absurd, but of course this is all about cash money. Like all that money a Marlins-Rays series brings in (roll your eyes now). The Yankees-Mets series was always full of tension, especially as a Yankee fan, because the Yankees were always expected to win. An in-season match up of course could not compare to the 2000 World Series. There is still pressure to win, but it's really more about the competitiveness of Yankee and Met fans. Of course, George Steinbrenner does NOT want to lose.
This is the Mets strongest offense since the interleague play began in 1997. Their pitching even with Pedro and Tom Glavine has been stronger in the past. Probably for the first time they are the favorites in this year six-game battle (there should only be 3 games, but that's a thought for another day).
The pitching match ups would normally indicate 1 for the Yankees, 1 for the Mets, and a toss-up. But because of Randy Johnson's ineffectiveness, tonight's start against Jeremi Gonzalez is a toss up too. Throw in the Yankees already weakened offense even weaker with the pitcher batting and the Yankees could be in trouble. The good news is that the Red Sox have to face a good hitting Phillies team.
Yankees-Mets pitching for the series:
Friday - Randy Johnson vs. Jeremi Gonzalez
Saturday - Mike Mussina vs. Pedro Martinez
Sunday - Aaron Small vs Tom Glavine
Shawn Chacon was originally scheduled to start Sunday night's prime time game, but the hematoma on his leg has made him a scratch for the series.
Bubba Crosby is also gone from the Yankees depth chart. Crosby was placed on the 15 day DL after injuring his hamstring in yesterday's 6-2 loss to the Rangers. Veteran minor leaguer Mitch Jones has been recalled from Columbus to take his spot. The 28-year old, who has never appeared in a major league game, has 150 career minor league home runs.
This is the Mets strongest offense since the interleague play began in 1997. Their pitching even with Pedro and Tom Glavine has been stronger in the past. Probably for the first time they are the favorites in this year six-game battle (there should only be 3 games, but that's a thought for another day).
The pitching match ups would normally indicate 1 for the Yankees, 1 for the Mets, and a toss-up. But because of Randy Johnson's ineffectiveness, tonight's start against Jeremi Gonzalez is a toss up too. Throw in the Yankees already weakened offense even weaker with the pitcher batting and the Yankees could be in trouble. The good news is that the Red Sox have to face a good hitting Phillies team.
Yankees-Mets pitching for the series:
Friday - Randy Johnson vs. Jeremi Gonzalez
Saturday - Mike Mussina vs. Pedro Martinez
Sunday - Aaron Small vs Tom Glavine
Shawn Chacon was originally scheduled to start Sunday night's prime time game, but the hematoma on his leg has made him a scratch for the series.
Bubba Crosby is also gone from the Yankees depth chart. Crosby was placed on the 15 day DL after injuring his hamstring in yesterday's 6-2 loss to the Rangers. Veteran minor leaguer Mitch Jones has been recalled from Columbus to take his spot. The 28-year old, who has never appeared in a major league game, has 150 career minor league home runs.
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