Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Labor Day Weekend Yankeeland

We'll be travelling for the next couple of days, so there's won't be much posting until Monday. Enjo your Labor Day weekend and don't drink and drive!

Okay, maybe Victor Zambrano won't be getting a call up.

Joe Girardi backs instant replay.

Joba to be in the pen next week.

The Labor Day Weekend Yankeeland

We'll be travelling for the next couple of days, so there's won't be much posting until Monday. Enjo your Labor Day weekend and don't drink and drive!

Okay, maybe Victor Zambrano won't be getting a call up.

Joe Girardi backs instant replay.

Joba to be in the pen next week.

Friday, August 29, 2008

This is a Stick Up

The Yankees announced the remainder of their ticket prices for 2009 today, and with the exception of $12 bleachers seats, you better be prepared for sticker shock.
Prices for the best seats were announced in March, with the Yankees charging $500-$2,500 for tickets near home plate in the first nine rows, contained in 25 sections ringing home plate. In all, the Yankees have sold more than 3,500 of approximately 4,300 premium seats on the field, main and terrace levels, chief operating officer Lonn Trost said Friday.

The Yankees said Friday the remainder of the field-seats level seats cost from $75-$325 as part of season tickets, while main-level seats go for $45-$100. The highest deck is split into two areas, with terrace seats going for $40-$65 and grandstand selling for $20 and $25.
Source: ESPN

This is a Stick Up

The Yankees announced the remainder of their ticket prices for 2009 today, and with the exception of $12 bleachers seats, you better be prepared for sticker shock.
Prices for the best seats were announced in March, with the Yankees charging $500-$2,500 for tickets near home plate in the first nine rows, contained in 25 sections ringing home plate. In all, the Yankees have sold more than 3,500 of approximately 4,300 premium seats on the field, main and terrace levels, chief operating officer Lonn Trost said Friday.

The Yankees said Friday the remainder of the field-seats level seats cost from $75-$325 as part of season tickets, while main-level seats go for $45-$100. The highest deck is split into two areas, with terrace seats going for $40-$65 and grandstand selling for $20 and $25.
Source: ESPN

Pavano Out Pitches Burnett

They were teammates on the 2003 Florida Marlins team that bested the Yankees for the World Series title and then left for big free agent money. Tonight, Carl Pavano and A.J. Burnett faced off as the Yankees met the Blue Jays at the Stadium. And it was Pavano who came out on top, with help from the bullpen, in a 2-1 Yankees win.

The victory improved Pavano's record to 2-0 as he won his first home game since April 26, 2005. He threw five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth, but after the Jays scored a run, he struck out Alex Rios with the tying run on first base.

Burnett entered the game with 16 wins, tied for second best in the AL with his teammate Roy Halladay, and the Yankees' Mike Mussina. He already dominated the Yankee twice in the last two months, including a sizzling 13 strikeout performance on August 19. It looked like more of the same after Burnett limited the Yankees to one hit over the first three innings.

But Johnny Damon started the fourth with his second single of the game, and after stealing second base, scored on Bobby Abreu's double to the gap in left-center field. Alex Rodriguez reached on an infield single as Abreu just beat shortstop Marco Scutaro's throw to third base. Jason Giambi then picked up a sacrifice fly and an RBI when his foul pop was caught by rookie Travis Snider in left field. Making his major league debut, the twenty year old reached over the wall in foul territory, leaving him no chance to throw out Abreu at home plate.

Pavano allowed just two base runners through the first five innings, but Snider doubled, for his first major league hit, with one out in the sixth. Joe Inglett lined out to Xavier Nady in left for the second out, but Scutaro singled to center to cut the lead in half. With steady raining falling and Brian Bruney warming in the pen, Pavano got Rios to wave at a strike three breaking ball, pitch number 72, to complete his night.

Joe Girardi mixed and match the rest of the night, using Bruney and Damaso Marte in the seventh inning, before turning things over to Jose Veras in the eighth. But for the second consecutive appearance, Veras struggled, allowing a lead off ground rule double to Rod Barajas and then a walk to Scott Rolen. Girardi sent for Edwar Ramirez, who struck out Snider, and then turned things over to Mariano Rivera for a five out save.

Rivera retired Inglett on a force out and struck out Scutaro to end the eighth. Vernon Wells singled with one out in the ninth, but Mo struck out Adam Lind and retired Lyle Overbay on a game ending force out for his 32nd save in 33 attempts.


News and Notes

Mariano Rivera's save was the 475th of his career. It puts him three behind Lee Smith for second place on the all-time list.

A.J. Burnett tossed his first complete game of the season and did it in front of a team that will definitely be after his services next season.

The family of the late Pete Sheehy, who ran the clubhouse from Ruth to Mattingly, pulled the lever, lowering the number of home games left to 12.

August 29, 2008

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Toronto
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1 5 0
NY Yankees
0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 X
2 7 0

TorontoABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Inglett, 2B4010003.299
Scutaro, SS3011012.265
Rios, RF4000022.289
Wells, V, CF4010001.293
Lind, DH3000121.292
Overbay, 1B4000002.272
Barajas, C3010000.260
1-Eckstein, PR0000000.274
Zaun, C0000000.225
Rolen, 3B2000100.250
Snider, LF3110012.333
Totals301512613


1-Ran for Barajas in the 8th.

BATTING
2B: Snider (1, Pavano), Barajas (21, Veras).
TB: Inglett; Scutaro; Wells, V; Barajas 2; Snider 2.
RBI: Scutaro (50).
2-out RBI: Scutaro.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Wells, V; Scutaro.
S: Scutaro.
GIDP: Overbay.
Team LOB: 5.

FIELDING
DP: 2 (Scutaro-Inglett-Overbay 2).


TorontoIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Burnett (L, 16-10)8.07221804.48


NY YankeesABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Damon, CF3120100.313
Jeter, SS4000024.295
Abreu, RF4121010.298
Rodriguez, A, 3B3010001.307
Giambi, 1B2001020.250
Ransom, 1B0000000.750
Nady, LF3000021.324
Matsui, DH3000000.304
Cano, 2B3020000.269
Rodriguez, I, C3000012.277
Totals28272188

BATTING
2B: Abreu (35, Burnett), Cano (27, Burnett).
TB: Damon 2; Abreu 3; Rodriguez, A; Cano 3.
RBI: Abreu (83), Giambi (82).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady; Jeter.
SF: Giambi.
GIDP: Jeter; Rodriguez, A.
Team LOB: 4.

BASERUNNING
SB: Damon (24, 2nd base off Burnett/Barajas).

FIELDING
DP: (Jeter-Cano-Giambi).

NY YankeesIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Pavano (W, 2-0)6.03111103.27
Bruney (H, 6)0.10000002.31
Marte (H, 22)0.20000104.19
Veras 0.01001003.64
Ramirez (H, 5)0.10000103.47
Rivera (S, 32)1.21000301.46

Veras pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: Burnett 108-67, Pavano 72-42,
Bruney 4-2, Marte 5-4, Veras 10-5, Ramirez 5-3, Rivera 17-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Burnett 13-3, Pavano 4-13,
Bruney 0-1, Marte 0-1, Veras 0-0, Ramirez 0-0, Rivera 2-0.
Batters faced: Burnett 30, Pavano 21, Bruney 1,
Marte 2, Veras 2, Ramirez 1, Rivera 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Ramirez 2-0, Rivera 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Jim Joyce. 1B: Jeff Nelson.
2B: Adrian Johnson. 3B: Tim Tschida.
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, Out to LF.
T: 2:36.
Att: 53,088.

Pavano Out Pitches Burnett

They were teammates on the 2003 Florida Marlins team that bested the Yankees for the World Series title and then left for big free agent money. Tonight, Carl Pavano and A.J. Burnett faced off as the Yankees met the Blue Jays at the Stadium. And it was Pavano who came out on top, with help from the bullpen, in a 2-1 Yankees win.

The victory improved Pavano's record to 2-0 as he won his first home game since April 26, 2005. He threw five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth, but after the Jays scored a run, he struck out Alex Rios with the tying run on first base.

Burnett entered the game with 16 wins, tied for second best in the AL with his teammate Roy Halladay, and the Yankees' Mike Mussina. He already dominated the Yankee twice in the last two months, including a sizzling 13 strikeout performance on August 19. It looked like more of the same after Burnett limited the Yankees to one hit over the first three innings.

But Johnny Damon started the fourth with his second single of the game, and after stealing second base, scored on Bobby Abreu's double to the gap in left-center field. Alex Rodriguez reached on an infield single as Abreu just beat shortstop Marco Scutaro's throw to third base. Jason Giambi then picked up a sacrifice fly and an RBI when his foul pop was caught by rookie Travis Snider in left field. Making his major league debut, the twenty year old reached over the wall in foul territory, leaving him no chance to throw out Abreu at home plate.

Pavano allowed just two base runners through the first five innings, but Snider doubled, for his first major league hit, with one out in the sixth. Joe Inglett lined out to Xavier Nady in left for the second out, but Scutaro singled to center to cut the lead in half. With steady raining falling and Brian Bruney warming in the pen, Pavano got Rios to wave at a strike three breaking ball, pitch number 72, to complete his night.

Joe Girardi mixed and match the rest of the night, using Bruney and Damaso Marte in the seventh inning, before turning things over to Jose Veras in the eighth. But for the second consecutive appearance, Veras struggled, allowing a lead off ground rule double to Rod Barajas and then a walk to Scott Rolen. Girardi sent for Edwar Ramirez, who struck out Snider, and then turned things over to Mariano Rivera for a five out save.

Rivera retired Inglett on a force out and struck out Scutaro to end the eighth. Vernon Wells singled with one out in the ninth, but Mo struck out Adam Lind and retired Lyle Overbay on a game ending force out for his 32nd save in 33 attempts.


News and Notes

Mariano Rivera's save was the 475th of his career. It puts him three behind Lee Smith for second place on the all-time list.

A.J. Burnett tossed his first complete game of the season and did it in front of a team that will definitely be after his services next season.

The family of the late Pete Sheehy, who ran the clubhouse from Ruth to Mattingly, pulled the lever, lowering the number of home games left to 12.

August 29, 2008

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Toronto
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1 5 0
NY Yankees
0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 X
2 7 0

TorontoABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Inglett, 2B4010003.299
Scutaro, SS3011012.265
Rios, RF4000022.289
Wells, V, CF4010001.293
Lind, DH3000121.292
Overbay, 1B4000002.272
Barajas, C3010000.260
1-Eckstein, PR0000000.274
Zaun, C0000000.225
Rolen, 3B2000100.250
Snider, LF3110012.333
Totals301512613


1-Ran for Barajas in the 8th.

BATTING
2B: Snider (1, Pavano), Barajas (21, Veras).
TB: Inglett; Scutaro; Wells, V; Barajas 2; Snider 2.
RBI: Scutaro (50).
2-out RBI: Scutaro.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Wells, V; Scutaro.
S: Scutaro.
GIDP: Overbay.
Team LOB: 5.

FIELDING
DP: 2 (Scutaro-Inglett-Overbay 2).


TorontoIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Burnett (L, 16-10)8.07221804.48


NY YankeesABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Damon, CF3120100.313
Jeter, SS4000024.295
Abreu, RF4121010.298
Rodriguez, A, 3B3010001.307
Giambi, 1B2001020.250
Ransom, 1B0000000.750
Nady, LF3000021.324
Matsui, DH3000000.304
Cano, 2B3020000.269
Rodriguez, I, C3000012.277
Totals28272188

BATTING
2B: Abreu (35, Burnett), Cano (27, Burnett).
TB: Damon 2; Abreu 3; Rodriguez, A; Cano 3.
RBI: Abreu (83), Giambi (82).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady; Jeter.
SF: Giambi.
GIDP: Jeter; Rodriguez, A.
Team LOB: 4.

BASERUNNING
SB: Damon (24, 2nd base off Burnett/Barajas).

FIELDING
DP: (Jeter-Cano-Giambi).

NY YankeesIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Pavano (W, 2-0)6.03111103.27
Bruney (H, 6)0.10000002.31
Marte (H, 22)0.20000104.19
Veras 0.01001003.64
Ramirez (H, 5)0.10000103.47
Rivera (S, 32)1.21000301.46

Veras pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: Burnett 108-67, Pavano 72-42,
Bruney 4-2, Marte 5-4, Veras 10-5, Ramirez 5-3, Rivera 17-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Burnett 13-3, Pavano 4-13,
Bruney 0-1, Marte 0-1, Veras 0-0, Ramirez 0-0, Rivera 2-0.
Batters faced: Burnett 30, Pavano 21, Bruney 1,
Marte 2, Veras 2, Ramirez 1, Rivera 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Ramirez 2-0, Rivera 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Jim Joyce. 1B: Jeff Nelson.
2B: Adrian Johnson. 3B: Tim Tschida.
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, Out to LF.
T: 2:36.
Att: 53,088.

The Daily Yankeeland - 8/29

The Yankees open a tough three game series with the Blue Jays tonight at the Stadium. What makes it tough is facing A.J. Burnett and Roy Halladay in two of the games.

Friday - Carl Pavano (1-0, 5.40) vs A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.58)
Saturday - Darrell Rasner (5-9, 5.03) vs. John Parish (1-0, 4.05)
Sunday - Andy Pettitte (13-10, 4.37) vs. Roy Halladay (16-9)

Veteran outfielder Matt Stairs was dealt earlier today to the Phillies for a player to be named. The Blue Jays are calling up their top hitting prospect Travis Snider, who has played at three different levels in the minor leagues this season.

A Joba Chamberlain update from the Post.

Joel Sherman begs YES not to make yesterday's game a "Yankees Classic".

Hank says don't blame Girardi. He's also monitoring the initial boys- CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

Brian Cashman falls on the sword.

Two Yankees prospects
in the Dominican Summer League are going to sit 50 games for PED.

Mike Ashmore has an interview with the newest Yankee, Al Aceves.

The NY Times has a profile on Cody Ransom.

The Daily Yankeeland - 8/29

The Yankees open a tough three game series with the Blue Jays tonight at the Stadium. What makes it tough is facing A.J. Burnett and Roy Halladay in two of the games.

Friday - Carl Pavano (1-0, 5.40) vs A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.58)
Saturday - Darrell Rasner (5-9, 5.03) vs. John Parish (1-0, 4.05)
Sunday - Andy Pettitte (13-10, 4.37) vs. Roy Halladay (16-9)

Veteran outfielder Matt Stairs was dealt earlier today to the Phillies for a player to be named. The Blue Jays are calling up their top hitting prospect Travis Snider, who has played at three different levels in the minor leagues this season.

A Joba Chamberlain update from the Post.

Joel Sherman begs YES not to make yesterday's game a "Yankees Classic".

Hank says don't blame Girardi. He's also monitoring the initial boys- CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

Brian Cashman falls on the sword.

Two Yankees prospects
in the Dominican Summer League are going to sit 50 games for PED.

Mike Ashmore has an interview with the newest Yankee, Al Aceves.

The NY Times has a profile on Cody Ransom.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Giambino Saves the Day

Jason Giambi has been the Giamnoshow in big spots for over a month, but today he single-handedly provided the Yankees offense in a must needed 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. The victory moved the Yankees back to within six games, which still sounds insurmountable, but is better than being eight games out, of Boston in the wildcard race.

The Yankees trailed the Red Sox 2-0 with two outs in the seventh inning, when Cody Ransom doubled off Boston starter Jon Lester. Joe Girardi sent up Giambi to pinch-hit for Jose Molina, even though he knew Terry Francona would counter the move with lefty specialist Hideki Okajima. But Giambi made Girardi look like a genius when he hit a laser over the center field wall for a game tying home run.

Then with two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded against Justin Masteron, Francona sent for his closer Jon Papelbon to face Giambi. Again, Giambi came out on top, singling to center for the game winning run.

The game was a classic pitcher's duel as Mike Mussina and Jon Lester put up goose eggs until the fifth inning. But with one out, Jed Lowrie reached on a single and Mussina hit Alex Cora. Jason Varitek, who has struggled at the plate all season, singled to right to score Lowrie with the game's first run. A second Red Sox run would score on yet another mental mistake by Robinson Cano. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a potential inning ending double play ball to Cano, but instead of taking it to the bag himself, he flipped the ball to Derek Jeter, whose throw to first base was not in time to double up the speedy Ellsbury. Cora scored on the play for a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees put two men aboard in the second inning on one out singles by Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu, but Alex Rodriguez struck out for the first of three times on the day, and Xavier Nady grounded out. In the sixth, Damon was hit by a Lester pitch and Jeter reached on another single to put two aboard with no one out. But fly outs by Abreu and Nady, sandwiched around an A-Rod foul out, led to a chorus of boos and no runs.

Mussina was pulled after seven innings and 113 pitches. Brian Bruney got the first out in the eighth and then Girardi sent for Damaso Marte to retire David Ortiz. Mariano Rivera then retired Kevin Youkilis, for a three pitcher, three out scenario. Rivera retired the side after a Jeter error in the ninth to earn his fourth win.


News and Notes

Derek Jeter was 3-4 and 6-13 (.462) in the series to raise his average to .297.

Brett Gardner pinch-ran for Xavier Nady in the ninth and stole his sixth base in as many attempts. Gardner was 37-46 in steal attempts for Scranton.

Phil Hughes had a much better outing for Scranton Wednesday night, picking up the win in a 3-2 game with Buffalo. Hughes allowed allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

August 28, 2008

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Boston
0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2 5 0
NY Yankees
0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1
3 8 1


BostonABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Ellsbury, CF4001012.262
Pedroia, 2B4010010.317
Ortiz, DH2000211.265
Youkilis, 1B3000002.316
Bay, LF4000003.293
Kotsay, RF4010013.289
Lowrie, 3B4110012.295
Cora, SS3110002.269
Varitek, C3011011.225
Totals312522616

BATTING
2B: Kotsay (18, Mussina).
TB: Pedroia; Kotsay 2; Lowrie; Cora; Varitek.
RBI: Varitek (37), Ellsbury (39).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cora 2; Kotsay 2; Ellsbury.
GIDP: Bay.
Team LOB: 6.

BASERUNNING
SB: Cora (1, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina).
CS: Ellsbury (8, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina).

NY YankeesABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Damon, CF3000020.311
Jeter, SS4030000.297
Abreu, RF4010002.296
Rodriguez, A, 3B4000034.307
Nady, LF4010014.327
1-Gardner, PR0100000.189
Cano, 2B4000001.266
Matsui, DH3000120.307
Ransom, 1B2110010.750
Rodriguez, I, C0000100.280
Molina, C2000011.228
a-Giambi, PH-1B2123000.251
Totals3238321012

a-Homered for Molina in the 7th.
1-Ran for Nady in the 9th.

BATTING
2B: Ransom (1, Lester).
HR: Giambi (27, 7th inning off Okajima, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Jeter 3; Abreu; Nady; Ransom 2; Giambi 5.
RBI: Giambi 3 (81).
2-out RBI: Giambi 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady 2.
Team LOB: 8.

BASERUNNING
SB: Gardner (6, 2nd base off Masterson/Varitek).
CS: Jeter (4, 2nd base by Lester/Varitek).

FIELDING
E: Jeter (11, throw).
DP: (Cano-Ransom).


NY YankeesIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Mussina 7.05222603.41
Bruney 0.10000002.35
Marte 0.10000004.24
Rivera (W, 5-5)1.10000001.50

IBB: Matsui (by Masterson).
HBP: Ransom (by Lester), Damon (by Lester), Cora
(by Mussina), Youkilis (by Mussina).
Pitches-strikes: Lester 119-78, Okajima 16-11, Masterson 26-12,
Papelbon 3-3, Mussina 113-73, Bruney 2-1, Marte 2-1, Rivera 15-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Lester 3-8, Okajima 0-2, Masterson 0-1,
Papelbon 0-0, Mussina 7-7, Bruney 0-1, Marte 1-0, Rivera 2-2.
Batters faced: Lester 26, Okajima 4, Masterson 5, Papelbon 1,
Mussina 28, Bruney 1, Marte 1, Rivera 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Okajima 1-1, Papelbon 3-1.
Umpires: HP: Gary Cederstrom. 1B: Fieldin Culbreth.
2B: Jim Reynolds. 3B: Tim Timmons.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, R to L.
T: 3:21.