Phelps Shows He Belongs

The Toronto Blue Jays haven't exactly been tearing the cover off of the baseball in a season in which many picked them to win or place in the AL East horse race. David Phelps' performance against them on Saturday should not be diminished by the fact that the Blue Jays record fell to 17-26 and they are the current owners of the AL East basement.

Phelps shook off some early inning control issues and threw a career high seven innings to improve to 2-2 on the season. Phelps will never be talked about in the same sentence with Stephen Strasburg or Justin Verlander, and that's all right. Phelps may get compared to a Mike Mussina; a guy that can dominate without firing upper 90s fastballs (He was around 90-91 mph all day Saturday) to the catcher's mitt.

While Robinson Cano (two) and Travis Hafner provided 2-run home runs in the 7-2 win, Phelps was steady and followed his plan just about to the letter. He's a guy that knows what he's doing on the mound, clearly a pitcher and not a thrower.

The University of Notre Dame product started out by facing five hitters in the first inning without one putting the ball in play. He struck out lead off hitter Melky Cabrera on a curveball that broke so hard in on the former Yankee, that it hit Cabrera in the ankle as he couldn't check his swing. His curveball and slider broke too much for right-handed hitters Jose Bautista and Edward Encarnacion, both of whom he walked.

Phelps came back and struck out catcher J.P. Arencibia, then spun around to pick Bautista off a second base with Adam Lind in the batter's box. Phelps scattered six hits the rest of the way, walked just one more hitter and finished with eight strikeouts.

The Yankees didn't take Phelps until the 14th round of the 2008 MLB amateur draft, and while some of the top tier prospects in the organization have been slow to rise up through the ranks, Phelps has quietly gone about his business and succeeded.

Yesterday was his fourth straight start since Ivan Nova was put on the disabled list. The two competed in Spring Training for the fifth spot in the rotation and though Phelps performed better, Nova won the job based on his track record and Phelps' ability to fill the Ramiro Mendoza swing man role.  Nova has been fragile and inconsistent the last two years though and Phelps is doing his best to stake a claim in the rotation. With Andy Pettitte out, Nova should join Phelps in the once he returns from the DL. What happens when Pettitte returns will be determined at that time.

In the meantime Phelps will just keep trying to get better as he has done with each of his four starts. He allowed four runs in 5.2 innings against a weak hitting Houston Astros team, but didn't figure in the decision as the Yankees won. He didn't come out with a win his next time out either in the Yankees 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, but he limited the opposition to two runs and three hits in six innings.

Phelps was a hard luck loser when the Cleveland Indians won the opener of this past Monday's twinbill, 2-1. The five walks Phelps issued were unusual, but he struck out seven and allowed one run in 6.2 innings. The Yankees will certainly take three wins out of every four of Phelps' starts. (His other win came in a four inning relief apperance, also against the Blue Jays.) Now they just need to let him take the ball every fifth day.

Nova Pitches Yankees Into First Place

Ivan Nova started out Friday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a lead off walk followed by a pair of singles. A sacrifice fly later and the Yankees were down 2-0. But Brett Gardner made two fine catches to end the inning and Nova only allowed one hit over the next six innings as the Yankees rallied for a 3-2 win. The victory combined with Boston's loss to Texas moved the Yankees into sole possession of first place in the AL East.

Nova became the first Yankees rookie pitcher to win 15 games since Stan Bahnsen won 17 in his freshman campaign in 1968. (Hopefully the Yankees won't foolishly trade him away as they did Bahnsen for the lowly Rich McKinney.)

Gardner not only made the big plays on defense, but also smacked a 2-run home run off of Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow to tie the game at 2-2 in the 3rd. The Yankees took the lead for good in the fifth after Morrow retired the first two hitters. Derek Jeter singled and Curtis Granderson drew a free pass. Robinson Cano, as he has done all season, delivered in the clutch with an RBI single for the 3-2 lead.

Nova cruised through the 7th on 97 pitches before Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera closed out the win. Rivera picked up his 37th save with a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Bautista Belts Bombers Again

Jose Bautista channeled his inner Reggie Jackson last night. Mr. October was famous for getting brushed back, dusting himself off, and then hitting a "take that" home run.

While Bautista didn't get decked, he took exception to a head high pitch from Yankees starter Ivan Nova, and got into a shouting match with the rookie. Both benches emptied, but nothing more came of it. That was until the 8th inning when Bautista, who had earlier hit his 39th home run off Nova, drilled his 40th off of David Robertson for a 3-2 Toronto Blue Jays win.

Bautista's season is one of mystery. This is a guy that never hit more than 16 home runs in a season. Now he's reached 40 faster (124 games) than other player in Blue Jays history and is 7 home runs short of George Bell's team record of 47.

Because of players like Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Jose Canseco, and yes, Alex Rodriguez, every batter is under suspicion, especially those with a sudden spike in home run power. I would never accuse of player of taking PEDs and I don't believe that Bautista is; not with today's strict testing.

Bautista, who has six bombs against the Yankees this season, is not happy with the speculation and who can blame him.

“I haven’t heard it once,” Bautista responded evenly when asked for his reaction to the unfounded allegations. “Nobody’s said anything to me, and I don’t see why they should. Baseball has a strict policy against those performance-enhancing whatever you want to call them.”

“It’s not a secret and I didn’t reinvent the wheel,” Bautista said. “I keep saying it because it’s the truth. It’s as simple as getting [his swing] started earlier, and I’ve got Cito and [hitting coach] Dwayne Murphy to thank for that.

“They kind of brought it to my attention and they worked with me extensively and it’s sort of the renaissance of my hitting. I owe it to them because without them it wouldn’t have been possible.”

Bautista said he doesn’t consider himself a power hitter – “I don’t aim over the fence” – but he sees no reason why he can’t continue to hit with the same authority in years to come.

“If I can remain consistent, I don’t see why not,” he said. “I think I’m still pretty young. I keep myself in shape and don’t abuse my body.”

Whether you believe him or not, Bautista does deserve the benefit of the doubt.


As for the Yankees, there weren't too many positives coming out of last night's game. One exception was the performance of Nova, whom Joe Girardi pulled after just 5.1 innings pitched and 73 pitches. He allowed the 2-run home run by Bautista that put the Jays up 2-1, but that came with some controversy.

Yuniel Escobar could/should/would have been the third out of the 3rd inning, but 1st base umpire Mark Wegner ruled Mark Teixeira had not kept his foot on the 1st base bag on shortstop Eduardo Nunez's throw. Bautista then made the Yankees pay.

Robinson Cano was right in the middle of the action as usual, doubling in the Yankees 1st run and then tying the game at two apiece when he walked and came home on Nick Swisher's single.

The Yankees struck out 15 times, 12 by starter Brandon Morrow, but none was more upsetting than a horrible called third strike on Curtis Granderson in the 9th inning.

Cano had led off the inning with a walk against closer Kevin Gregg and Jorge Posada followed with a deep fly that just missed leaving the park. That brought up Granderson who got punched out by home plate ump Jerry Meals, who finished a bad night with one more bad call. The strike three pitch was clearly out of the strike zone, in fact it was nearly in the right-handed hitter's batters box.

Meals, shouldn't have earned a post-game one, after also ejecting Escobar and Jays' manager Cito Gaston in the 5th inning.

The series continues tonight with Dustin Moseley facing Marc Rzepczynski (and no, I didn't spell that right the first time.)

Thames Game Winner A Holiday Delight

The Yankees did a lot of things wrong this afternoon, but all could be (relatively) forgotten after Marcus Thames singled home Robinson Cano with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning.

The nearly four hour, 7-6 win in 95 degree was necessitated by laughable base running, poor starting pitching, and a blown save. The Yankees caught some breaks too, but A.J. Burnett was able to make just his second pie delivery of the year when the Yankees got the last laugh.

The Blue Jays tied the game up at six against Mariano Rivera, who had converted 24 straight save opportunities against Toronto, in the 9th on singles by Lyle Overbay, John Buck, and Dewayne Wise. Rivera got out of further difficulty by getting Alex Gonzalez to ground out to strand a pair of runners.

Cano drew a lead off walk against left-hander David Purcey to start the 10th and was sacrificed to second base by Francisco Cervelli. Purcey struck out Curtis Granderson, who earned the "golden sombrero", but walked Brett Gardner. Joe Girardi sent Thames, who had been activated from the DL earlier in the day, up to pinch-hit for Ramiro Pena.

Purcey fell behind 3-1 before getting Thames to wave at an off-speed pitch for a second strike. He wasn't so fortunate with the next delivery as Thames dropped a broken bat single in front of Wise in center field to score Cano with the game winner.

The fans certainly had to be holding their breath until Cano touched home plate. Who could blame them? The Yankees had three base runners thrown out at home plate on the day.

Nick Swisher singled off Brandon Morrow to start the 5th and Mark Teixeira followed with a drive to deep center. Swisher rounded second base and held up to be sure the ball was over Wise's head. Third base coach Rob Thomson inexplicably waved Swisher home despite the fact there were no outs. Swisher's former teammate Jose Molina perfectly blocked home plate and applied the tag for the first out of the inning.

Teixeira then tagged up on a shallow fly to center field and was a dead duck as Wise made a perfect throw home for the double play.

It was "Deja vu all over again" in the 7th when Teixeira singled home Jeter, for a 6-5 lead, and Swisher went to third on the play. Cervelli hit a foul pop near the stands in shallow right where Jose Bautista made a nice grab, spun, and fired home to nail Swisher at the plate. The ensuing groan from Yankee Stadium could be heard for miles.

The day started out nicely for Phil Hughes. Named to his first All-Star game, Hughes looked sharp through the first two innings. Then the wheels fell off. Lyle Overbay touched him up for a solo home run in the 3rd to temporarily give the Jays a 1-0 lead.

With the Yankees on top 3-1 in the 5th, Hughes allowed a single and a walk before surrendering a towering, foul pole aided home run to the light hitting Wise. An inning later, Lind took Hughes deep to right-center for his 10th home run and a 5-3 lead.

The Yankees benefited from the strong sun for the second straight day. Left fielder John McDonald had turned A-Rod's potential inning ending fly ball into a 3-run double in Saturday's 11-run, 3rd inning. This time it was Wise being victimized on a Brett Gardner fly.

With Jorge Posada on 1st and two down, Gardner skied to deep center. Wise got under it, shielded his eyes with his glove a bit too late, and watched helplessly as the ball ticked off the end of his glove. Gardner raced around the bases (amazing he didn't catch Posada) and was credited with a gift 2-run inside-the-park home run (one day maybe, just maybe, an official scorer will grow a set) to tie the game 5-5.

David Robertson (1-3) picked up his first win with some help from Edwin Encarnacion. Robertson allowed the first two base runners to reach in the 10th to set up a sacrifice situation. Encarnacion, who had been designated for assignment a few weeks back as a wake up call, bunted the ball in the air and stood there angry at himself. A-Rod allowed the ball to drop and quickly turned a 5-4-3 double play, with Cano's strong relay throwing just nipping Encarnacion at first base. Robertson then struck out Molina with the go ahead run 90 feet away.

Notes

Jorge Posada had to leave the game in the 7th after taking a foul tip off his glove hand. He was diagnosed with a sprained ring finger and is listed as day to day. Ironically, earlier in the game Molina was hit with a similar foul tip but was able to stay in the game.

To make room for Thames on the roster, Chad Huffman was optioned to Triple-A Scranton.

Yankees Hit Their Way to Finale Win

The Toronto Blue Jays silenced the Yankees bats through the first two games of the their three games series and had done so for much of Sunday's finale. Then the Yankees finally got some clutch hits. Well, it started out just by being hit, period.

Francisco Cervelli and Brett Gardner each took one for the team as the Yankees rallied for four runs in the eighth inning and a 4-2 win.

Javier Vazquez kept his team in the game with another stellar performance. He actually had a no-hitter going for 5.2 innings, but Vernon Wells broke it up with a 2-run home run that also snapped a scoreless tie.

Brandon Morrow had limited the Yankees to four hits and walk through seven innings, but hit Cervelli in the left shoulder to start the eighth. Cisto Gaston brought in left-hander Scott Downs to face Brett Gardner, but the southpaw drilled the Yankees left fielder on the wrist.

The land of Twitter thought for sure Joe Girardi would bunt as he often does in the situation the Yankees found themselves in. But the Yankees skip let Derek Jeter swing away and it paid off when the Captain doubled down the right field line to cut the Yankees deficit to one.

It was long day for Nick Swisher at the plate, in part due to the appropriately named home plate ump Bruce Dreckman. Swisher had been called out on strikes earlier in the game on a pitch out of the zone and was beside himself when Dreckman said he didn't check his swing for a third strike and the first out in the eighth. Girardi quickly came out to protect his player and got into with Dreckman whose strike zone well exceeded both sides of the tangible part of home plate. Needless to say Girardi got got tossed with Tony Pena taking over.

Even though the numbers have proven otherwise, Gaston elected to walk the struggling Mark Teixeira to face Alex Rodriguez with a force set up at any base. Those situations had resulted in five hits, three grand slams and 18 RBI in seven at-bats.

Jayson Frasor helped the Yankees out further, bouncing a pitch in front of Jose Molina. The ricochet got far enough away from the former Yankee catcher to allow Gardner to slide home head first with the tying run. A-Rod looked at a called third strike (one of the few good calls by Dreckman), but Robinson Cano delivered a 2-run single to the left for a 4-2 lead.

The Blue Jays got a run back off of Joba Chamberlain, but Damaso Marte retired Adam Lind with the tying run on base in the 8th and Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 9th to end the Yankees two game losing streak.

Yankees Outlast Mariners 8-5

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Alex Rodriuez • Brandon Morrow • Brian bruney • Derek Jeter • Ichiro Suzuki • joba chamberlain • mariano rivera • melky cabrera • Phil Hughes • Seattle Mariners • Yankees 6/30 recap • Yankees vs. Mariners

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Seattle	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	2	0		5	12	2
NY Yankees	0	2	0	1	0	0	2	3	X		8	11	0

WP - Bruney (3-0) SV - Rivera (19) LP - White (2-1)

Jorge Posada congratulates Mo Rivera after ceremonial 1st pitch

Joba Chamberlain and Brandon Morrow have both heard the debates. Should they be closers, future closers, set up men, starters (though we’re sure that Morrow has no equivalent of the bag of hot air that is debating it onJoba’s behalf.)? Last night’s Yankees-Mariners game was a good fodder for throwing them both back in the pen. Both starters were mediocre, but the Seattle bullpen did a worse job than the Yankees’ relief corp. The end result was an 8-5 Yankees win that moved them to within 2.5 games of Boston in the AL East.

Brian Bruney had just blown a two run lead when the Yankees came to bat in the bottom of the 8th against Sean White. Hideki Matsui greeted him with a double up the alley in right-center and the Yankees had an instant rally. Nick Swisher ill advisedly laid down a bunt, but it was a perfect one. Pinch-runner Brett Gardner moved to 3rd base and Swisher reach 1st base safely for a base hit.....

Read the rest of my recap at Baseball Digest Online.

The Weekend Yankeeland - 9/6

We don't need to rehash last night's near no-hitter by the Mariners' Brandon Morrow. After looking like he was going to get raked over the coals, Andy Pettitte settled down and gave the Yankees a solid seven innings, but the offense was nowhere to be found.

Seattle had been receiving grief for selecting Morrow ahead of Tim Lincecum in the 2006 draft. Maybe those concerns will now be assuaged.

Trailing 3-1 in the ninth inning, the Yankees had the heart of the order set to face closer J.J. Putz. Derek Jeter led the inning off with a single, but Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Jason Giambi all went down meekly to end the game. With Boston's win over Texas, the Yankees are now 8.5 games out of the wildcard race. It might as well be 100.

It's official, Al Aceves will take Darrell Rasner's place in the rotation. Hell, why not let let Jason Jones replace Sidney Ponson.

Reggie Jackson said it's very special for him to watch Alex Rodriguez climb the home run leader board.

Bobby Abreu was back in last night's lineup after missing a pair of games with a bruised wrist.

Yankees second pick in this year's draft, Jeremy Bleich made his professional debut for the Staten Island Yankees on Thursday. He allowed two runs in three innings pitched.

Richard Sandomir of the NY Times wonders why Babe Ruth has not yet been honored this season, in the house that he built.

The Yankees have been hit with a fine for not complying with a new state law that states that all food vendors must provide caloric information.

Kevin Romine and Damon Sublett will be heading to Hawaii for winter ball. Not a bad place to be.

The Weekend Yankeeland - 9/6

We don't need to rehash last night's near no-hitter by the Mariners' Brandon Morrow. After looking like he was going to get raked over the coals, Andy Pettitte settled down and gave the Yankees a solid seven innings, but the offense was nowhere to be found.

Seattle had been receiving grief for selecting Morrow ahead of Tim Lincecum in the 2006 draft. Maybe those concerns will now be assuaged.

Trailing 3-1 in the ninth inning, the Yankees had the heart of the order set to face closer J.J. Putz. Derek Jeter led the inning off with a single, but Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Jason Giambi all went down meekly to end the game. With Boston's win over Texas, the Yankees are now 8.5 games out of the wildcard race. It might as well be 100.

It's official, Al Aceves will take Darrell Rasner's place in the rotation. Hell, why not let let Jason Jones replace Sidney Ponson.

Reggie Jackson said it's very special for him to watch Alex Rodriguez climb the home run leader board.

Bobby Abreu was back in last night's lineup after missing a pair of games with a bruised wrist.

Yankees second pick in this year's draft, Jeremy Bleich made his professional debut for the Staten Island Yankees on Thursday. He allowed two runs in three innings pitched.

Richard Sandomir of the NY Times wonders why Babe Ruth has not yet been honored this season, in the house that he built.

The Yankees have been hit with a fine for not complying with a new state law that states that all food vendors must provide caloric information.

Kevin Romine and Damon Sublett will be heading to Hawaii for winter ball. Not a bad place to be.

Breaking News: Yankees No-Hit Thru 7.2 Innings

Brandon Morrow is six outs away from joining Randy Johnson and Chris Bosio as the only Mariners pitchers to record a no-hitter. Morrow has allowed a pair of hits, but no walks through the first seven innings.

Morrow has struck out seven and has thrown 89 pitches, 61 of them for strikes. Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano are due up for the Yankees in the eighth inning.

Morrow spent most of the season in the bullpen, including a stint as closer when J.J. Putz went on the disabled list. He's making his first major league start this evening. Bobo Holloman is the only player in major league history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start.

Seattle leads the game 3-0, with a run in the third inning and two more in the fourth against Andy Pettitte.

Update:

12:00 Xavier Nady has struck out for the first out in the eighth.

12:03 Hideki Matsui walks on Morrow's 101st pitch.

12:05 Safeco Field helps Morrow out...Robinson Cano flied to the warning track in center, Vladmir Balentien with the catch for the second out.

Wilson Betemit, pinch-hitting for Jose Molina, breaks up the no-hitter with an RBI double to right field. It's now a 3-1 game.

12:12 Johnny Damon popped out to Yuniesky Betancourt to end the eighth inning. The season continues to slip away.

Breaking News: Yankees No-Hit Thru 7.2 Innings

Brandon Morrow is six outs away from joining Randy Johnson and Chris Bosio as the only Mariners pitchers to record a no-hitter. Morrow has allowed a pair of hits, but no walks through the first seven innings.

Morrow has struck out seven and has thrown 89 pitches, 61 of them for strikes. Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano are due up for the Yankees in the eighth inning.

Morrow spent most of the season in the bullpen, including a stint as closer when J.J. Putz went on the disabled list. He's making his first major league start this evening. Bobo Holloman is the only player in major league history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start.

Seattle leads the game 3-0, with a run in the third inning and two more in the fourth against Andy Pettitte.

Update:

12:00 Xavier Nady has struck out for the first out in the eighth.

12:03 Hideki Matsui walks on Morrow's 101st pitch.

12:05 Safeco Field helps Morrow out...Robinson Cano flied to the warning track in center, Vladmir Balentien with the catch for the second out.

Wilson Betemit, pinch-hitting for Jose Molina, breaks up the no-hitter with an RBI double to right field. It's now a 3-1 game.

12:12 Johnny Damon popped out to Yuniesky Betancourt to end the eighth inning. The season continues to slip away.