MLB's Poor Umpiring Helps Yankees Blast Halos

The cry for instant replay is going to reach a crescendo sooner rather than later. With a 162 game regular season schedule we've witnessed many mistakes by the men in blue year in and year out. It's affected the biggest stage as well during the post-season.

While it may not cost a team a post-season series, it could help decide who reaches the post-season. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels are two teams battling to stay above water, so when a call possibly costs them a game, you bet plenty of people stand up and take notice.

Last week in Chicago, home plate umpire Alan Porter erroneously called Brett Gardner out at the plate when he was clearly safe. The "erased" run helped cost the Yankees the game. Tuesday night's contest with the Angels saw the wrong call go in the Yankees favor. Chris Nelson, who spent a few weeks in a Yankees uniform this season, was on third base for Los Angeles with one out in the 6th inning and the Yankees clinging to a 4-3 lead.

Tommy Field lifted a fly ball to left that enabled Nelson to race home ahead of Alfonso Soriano's throw to tie the game at 4-4. Or did it? Catcher Austin Romine threw the ball to Jayson Nix at third and home plate umpire David Rackley called Nelson out. Needless to say Angels manager Mike Scioscia went ballistic. Replays showed that Nelson did not leave third base early - his foot was still on the base when the ball landed in Soriano's glove.

It was Rackley's responsibility to watch Nelson since the third base umpire, Brian Gorman, had to make sure the ball was caught. So standing 90 feet away Rackley determined that Nelson left before the ball was caught which allowed the Yankees to record a double play rather than make an appeal.

Instead of a tie game and lead off hitter J.B. Shuck coming to the plate with runners on first and second and two outs, the inning was over with the Yankees still in the lead. It enabled CC Sabathia to stay in the ball game and pick up his 10th win of the season. The Yankees also had their biggest offensive explosion in what seemed like a decade and held on for a 14-7 win.

Alfonso Soriano had his first big game back in pinstripes with a pair of home runs and a career high six RBI. Alex Rodriguez ripped a 2-run double to the base of the wall in left, Vernon Wells homered for the first time since May, and Eduard Nunez had four ribbies.

It was an odd game to say the least. Sabathia only allowed three hits, but walked six hitters. He also struck out seven so there was plenty of "no contact baseball" when he was in there. The double digit win total made Sabathia just the fifth pitcher since 1900 to win 10 or more games in their first 13 seasons. The others are Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Eddie Plank, and Carl Hubbell.¹

The game was held up by rain for 26 minutes with two outs in the top of the 8th inning. When play resumed Dellin Betances struck out rookie Grant Green with a 97-mph fastball to end the inning. Unfortunately, Betances didn't have the same good fortune in the 9th inning when he was tagged for four runs after he struck out Chris Iannetta to start the frame. Joba Chamberlain came on to record the final two outs - a seven run lead may be the only time Joba is trusted now.

1 - Elias Sports Bureau

Adams Coming to the Rasta, Mon

No, David Adams isn't Jamaican, but I am tired.  Per a tweet Trenton Thunder beat writer Josh Norris (@jnorris427), Mr. Adams is headed to the Bronx today, the first day he was eligible to be recalled from the minor leaguers.

The Yankees front office has always like the second baseman's bat and they moved him over to third base to  have a better chance of helping the big ball club.

Adams was designated for assignment this spring to make room for Vernon Wells on the 40-man roster and then he was re-signed to a minor league deal. MLB stipulations state that in such cases the player may not be recalled until May 15.

Today is May 15 so Adams is on his way. Now a 40-man roster space needs to be opened up for him. It's likely that either Chris Nelson or newly reacquired Alberto Gonzalez will be designated for assignment. Nelson is more likely to get the boot since Gonzalez is the only player other than Jayson Nix right now that can play shortstop and a Nelson plays the same positions as Adams.

Adams was quickly making his way through the farm system until he badly broke his ankle in 2010. Through 27 games at Triple-A Scranton this year, Adams has an .897 OPS with 3 HR and 12 RBI.

To learn more on Adams, click here to read the interview I did with him in 2009.

Sometimes You Can't Go to the Wells Once Too Often

"Brooks" Wells

Vernon Wells was a one man wrecking crew in the Yankees 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies last night. Wells homered, singled twice, stole a base, and scored what proved to be the winning run. All of that might not have mattered if Wells hadn't grabbed an infielder's glove and manned the hot corner in the bottom of the 9th inning.

The game was tied at two apiece in the top of the 9th after Wells and the Rockies' Todd Helton hit 2-run home runs earlier in the game. Wells led off the inning with his third hit of the game and then stole second base.

With everyone thinking bunt, closer Rafael Betancourt walked Lyle Overbay. The bunt was on for sure after that and Ichiro Suzuki complied with a perfect sacrifice bunt.  Jayson Nix was intentionally walked to set up a force at any base and led to a big decision by Joe Girardi.

With Chris Nelson due up, the Yankees manager sent up Travis Hafner to pinch hit, despite the fact that the Yankees were out of available infielders. (Eduardo Nunez was still unable to play due to strained rib cage.) Hafner struck out for the second out of the inning, which left things up to Brennan Boesch, who stepped in for pitcher David Robertson.

Boesch hit a ball in the whole between shortstop and third base that third baseman Nolan Arenado made a diving stop on. But Arenado's throw to first base was late and Wells crossed home plate to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. The Yankees might have gotten more, but Nix was caught off of second bag and tagged for the final out of the inning.

"The ball will find you" is a long time, proven cliche that came to fruition in last night's game. Wells never played anywhere other then the three outfields spots in his 15 years in the big leagues and 549 minor league games.  With Mariano Rivera on the mound for the save, Carlos Gonzalez hit a one-out chopper to Wells' left side.  The third baseman deftly moved to his glove side, snared the ball out of the air, and made a perfect throw to first base. (Anyone else have horrible visions of Gary Sheffield filling in at his old position for the 2004 Yankees?) Michael Cuddyer reached on a single and stole second base, but Rivera retired catcher Wil Rosario on a fly out to earn the Yankees a 'W'. You can bet Wells was breathing a little easier after that.

Notes

Rivera was honored by the Rockies prior to the game in an on-field ceremony and also met with some of their employees earlier in the day. The only other time Rivera pitched in Colorado was a 1995 exhibition game.

David Phelps did a great job of saving the bullpen, which was short-handed, with seven gritty innings. he looked like he wouldn't make it past the 6th, but hung tough.

Ivan Nova could be activated to face the Cleveland Indians in one of Monday's twinbill with the Tribe.

Curtis Granderson has reported to Triple-A Scranton to continue his rehab from a broken forearm. There's a possibility he could be activated next week, by which time Girardi has to decide whether to put him in center or move him to left field and leave Gardner in the middle.

Girardi's lineup on Wednesday was Tony LaRussa style - he hit Phelps in the 8th spot and catcher Austin Romine 9th.

Rocky Mountain High, Colorado: Yankees Series Preview

The New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies don't have much history between them. The deal that brought Chris Nelson to the Yankees last week was just the 7th trade between the two teams.  The first player move between the two franchises indirectly resulted in the Yankees future manager.

On November 20, 1995, the Yankees sent pitcher Mike DeJean to the Rockies for catcher Joe Girardi. It was a move that was extremely unpopular with Yankees fans since it meant the departure of fan favorite Mike Stanley. Girardi even got booed at the Yankees pre-season fan fest. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Yankees hold a 7-5 advantage in games played between the two franchises, but their last visit to the Mile High city resulted in a three game sweep by the Rockies. The Yankees came to Colorado in 2007 having won 12 of  their last 13 games, but couldn't hit in the hitter friendly ball park.

The Yankees lost the opener 3-1 when Josh Fogg outpitched Mike Mussina. Game 2 saw Andy Pettitte cruise into the 6th inning with a 1-0 lead, but got hammered for six runs over the next two frames. Jeff Francis limited the Yankees to that lone run over seven innings and struck out nine.

Roger Clemens couldn't make it out of the 5th inning in the finale and left with a 4-2 deficit. The Rockies hung on for a 4-3 win (Rodrigo Lopez earned the 'W') to complete the sweep.

Pitching didn't play much of a factor when the Yankees took two of three from the Rockies in a wild series in 2002. The Yankees scored 41 runs in the three games, including 20 in the middle game of the three game set.

Derek Jeter, Shane Spencer, and Robin Ventura each homered to back Mussina in a 10-5 win on June 18. Despite the fact that he allowed five runs in six innings, Mussina improved to 10-3 on the season. The next day the Yankees banged out 18 hits including another home run by Ventura, as well as home runs by Alfonso Soriano and Jason Giambi.

Ventura and John Vander Wal drove in four runs each and Ramiro Mendoza picked up the win after Pettitte allowed eight earned runs in three plus innings. (He'll be more than happy not to pitch in this week's series, especially after the outcome of his last two starts.) The Yankees actually trailed at one point 8-4. The Yankees bullpen did a horrid job in the finale as the Rockies rallied from an 8-2 deficit and won in 10 innings, 14-11.

The Yankees scored two in the 9th inning to tie the game at 11 apiece, but future Yankee Todd Zeile hit a walk-off 3-run home run off of Steve Karsay in the 10th inning. Clemens had to leave after four innings when he was struck by a line drive. It was Clemens' follow up start to the Yankees-Mets game in which Shawn Estes attempted to him, but threw behind him and missed. It was the first time Clemens got a chance to bat against the Mets since he had beaned Mike Piazza during the 2000 season and threw a shattered bat at him in that year's World Series.

Fast forward to today. A new three game series starts in Colorado this evening with Hiroki Kuroda facing Jorge De La Rosa. Kuroda faced the Rockies 10 times as a member of the LA Dodgers, but was just 1-5, 5.52.  As a hitter, the Japanese native has a career .105 average with 3 RBI in 245 plate appearances. He's hitless in two at-bats as a Yankee.

De La Rosa is 2-1, 1.46 in three appearances (two starts) against NY, but the last win came as a member of the KC Royals in 2007.

Game 2 matches David Phelps against Juan Nicasio in a contest that will also feature Phelps' first Major League at-bat (barring an early exit). The finale has CC Sabathia, who loves to swing the bat, against Jeff Francis. Sabathia carries a career .238 average with 3 HR and 14 RBI. He's just 2-17 (.118) as a member of the Yankees.

Francis was with Colorado from 2004-2010 (missed 2009 with injury), played with KC in 2011 and returned to Colorado last season.

A couple of final historical notes - the sixth other deals between NY and COL were pretty meaningless, except for the Yankees acquisition of Shawn Chacon in 2005. After he lost seven of eight with the Rockies, Chacon went 7-3, 2.85 to help the Yankees to the AL East division title.

In the 1992 expansion draft, the Rockies took Charlie Hayes from the Yankees with their third pick. They also selected Carl Everett and Brad Ausmus from the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees got Hayes back from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996 and the third baseman recorded the final putout in the Yankees World Series victory that year.

At the time, the Yankees were upset about losing Everett, but in retrospect the Rockies did them a tremendous favor. Everett had good numbers in a 14 year career, but it was filled with arguments, ejections, attitude, and complications. He played in the Major Leagues for eight different organizations in those 14 years.

Ausmus went on to have an 18 year career with the Padres, Tigers, Astros, and Dodgers. He was a three time Gold Glove winner and caught 1,938 games.

Girardi was also taken in the expansion draft from the Cubs with the Rockies' 19th pick.

A-Rod Florida Bound For the Next Step

A-Rod is the true Johnny Drama

Alex Rodriguez took another step towards returning to the active roster in July when he arrived in Florida for  the start of "baseball activities". There are no details as of yet as far as what the baseball activities will include. Hopefully nothing illegal.

The Yankees controversial third baseman has been out all year after he underwent left hip surgery in January. A-Rod had been rehabbing the injury in New York and though he was not introduced to the fans, sat in the Yankees dugout on Opening Day.

A-Rod will have to continue to rehab his image as well after he was implicated as a customer of a Florida based anti-aging clinic that was a front for the sale of steroids. Major League Baseball is still investigating who may have been involved.

Nunez hurting again

The MRI on Eduardo Nunez's rib cage came back negative, but the Yankees shortstop said he "can't move". With an off day Monday prior to a three game series in Colorado, the Yankees have time to decide whether or not to bring another position player up from the minor leagues.

Should Nunez not be able to make a go of it, Jayson Nix would start at shortstop and former Rockies infielder Chris Nelson would get the start at third base. If Nunez is to be DL'ed, the Yankees could recall Corban Joseph, who got the nod when Kevin Youkilis first went on the DL or 33-year old veteran shortstop Gil Velazquez. In his first season in the organization, Velazquez is hitting just .197 for Scranton, but has seen regular playing time at shortstop. His recall would force a move on the 40-man roster as well. (David Adams cannot be recalled until May 15.)

The Yankees could also look for another veteran infielder as they did with Nelson. (This could be even more important the longer Derek Jeter is out of the lineup.) Nunez has missed time  in two separate incidents this season after he was hit by a pitch.

The Hurts Just Keeping On Coming: Joba DL'ed

"Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

The Yankees had Thursday off, but that didn't keep them from making yet another roster move due to an injury. This time it was reliever Joba Chamberlain who will be sidelined at least 15 days with a strained oblique.

No corresponding move has been made to add a pitcher to the 25-man roster, but it's likely to be Cody Eppley since he's already on the 40-man roster.

David Robertson created some worry in Wednesday night's 5-4 win over the Houston Astros when he hobbled off the mound at the end of the 8th inning. Robertson said he had tweaked his hamstring, but is fine and doesn't expect to miss any action.

The Yankees added to their roster at the end of the game when they acquired infielder Chris Nelson from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later and/or cash. Nelson has experience at second base and third base and will fill the utility role that opened up when Jayson Nix replaced the injured Kevin Youkilis at third base.

Second baseman Corban Joseph, called up when Youkilis went down, will likely be returned to Scranton to open a spot on the 25-man roster. Room was made on the 40-man roster by moving Francisco Cervelli from the 15- to the 60-day DL.

Nelson had a breakout season for the Rockies last year when he .310-9 HR-53 RBI and sported an .810 OPS. This season he struggled (.600 OPS) and became expendable with the emergence of Josh Rutledge at second base and the recall of third base prospect Nolan Arenado (ranked as the #52 prospect by Baseball America; drove in 122 runs two years ago).

A correction on my part - I had stated that when Youkilis was injured third baseman David Adams was the favorite to fill the spot. However, I forgot to take into account that since Adams was released during Spring Training and then re-signed, he was not eligible to be added to the Major League roster until May 15.

In other injury update news - Curtis Granderson had a couple of at-bats down in Florida yesterday and would have had more had rain not stopped everything. The Yankees hope to have him back in a couple of weeks (at most). Mark Teixeira is probably not coming  back before June 1, but he has started hitting off a tee and has taken soft toss swings.

Ronnier Mustelier banged up his knee in Spring Training when he collided with a dugout railing. He's back in Scranton after completing a rehab down in Florida. Mustelier was impressive with his bat and could join the big ball club at some point this year.