Yankees Don't Need Glaus or Ransom

WFAN's Sweeny Murti reported early today that Troy Glaus, retired since 2010, had gotten in contact with the Yankees about a possible comeback.

The 36-year old played 128 games for the Atlanta Braves two years and earned $1.75MM. He produced 16 HR and 71 RBI along with a .744 OPS as a first baseman. Glaus missed nearly the entire 2009 season due to back and shoulder problems.

Murti also reported that Cody Ransom was interested in a job. Most Yankees fans will remember that Ransom looked like his game was held for ransom when he subbed for Alex Rodriguez during his last hip surgery in 2009.

Ransom put up a .190/.244/.333 split in 31 games for the Bombers, one year after a 1.051 OPS in 33 games gave the Yankees hope that he could ably fill in for A-Rod. To make matters worse, Ransom also struggled in the field.

Even if Kevin Youkilis had not been acquired, neither player would be a good fit for a host of reasons.

Ransom will just have to hold on to his high jumping memories.

A-Rod Is A Pain in the A..Hip

I'm a little late to the party with this one, but things have been a little crazy the last couple of days. So just when you thought it was safe to get back on the left side of the infield Alex Rodriguez has joined Derek Jeter on the "Damn that hurts like hell" list.

A-Rod who had surgery for a torn labrum in his right hip prior to the 2009 season, will miss a good chunk of the upcoming season after he undergoes similar surgery on his left hip. Additionally. A-Rod will have a cyst removed and a bone impingement corrected.

Prior to the surgery, A-Rod will undergo a four to six week strengthening program on the hip. He's then expected to miss four to six months. The injury could explain A-Rod's less than stellar performance in the 2012 playoffs, and in fact A-Rod complained to Joe Girardi about his right hip bothering him and thought it was affecting his play.  A-Rod got a clean bill of healthfor the his previously surgically repaired leg checked, but the same could not be said for his left hip.

It would appear that the Yankees kept things quiet so they could obtain another infielder without overpaying a free agent or giving up too much in a trade. The thing that Yankees fans would really like to know though is why the surgery wasn't already performed.

A-Rod's injury may also be the reason the Yankees weren't willing to match or better the Pittsburgh Pirates contract offer to catcher Russell Martin. Rodriguez returned on May 8 after his 2009 surgery and homered off the first pitch he saw from Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie. Cody Ransom held down the fort until A-Rod's return and did not stand out. With a much longer absence expected this time, GM Brian Cashman will need to find a better alternative than a Ransom-type player and it could be somewhat costly -translation, no extra cash for Martin.

Word is the Yankees are taking to free agent Kevin Youkilis, who spent 8 1/2 years with the Boston Red Sox before a trade to the Chicago White Sox at the 2012 trade deadline. Youkilis is hated by most Yankees fans, but if he were to come to the Bronx and contribute, he could turn the fans in his favor just as Wade Boggs did over a decade ago. The only dilemma would be if Joba Chamberlain could avoid beaning him in the head during batting practice.

Youkilis was at his best from 2008-2010 when his OPS ranged from .958 to .971. The last two seasons have been injury plagued and much less productive. He did show improvement when he joined Chicago and produced 15 HR and 46 RBI in 80 games. Youkilis would also be able back up to Mark Teixeira at first base.

Let it Slide

According to the NY Daily News' Mark Feinsand, Alex Rodriguez let it all slide yesterday. As the next step in his rehab process, A-Rod slid five times to test out his surgically repaired hip. Because of the progress he has made, the Yankees are looking to move up A-Rod's return by a week. He was originally expected to be activated May 15.

A-Rod also took 15 at-bats of live BP against rehabbing pitchers Sergio Mitre and Paul Patterson.

A-Rod's first temporary replacement, Cody Ransom, didn't get such good news. An MRI showed a Grade 2 tear of his quad.

Yankees open new stadium in true Bombers style

It may have only been an exhibition game, but the Yankees opened their new ballpark in fine fashion. Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, and Cody Ransom each homered off of Ted Lilly in the Yankees 7-4 win over the Chicago Cubs.

While the players get used to the new digs, so do the fans in attendance and at home. A few things jumped out at us right off the bat.

The fences are navy blue rather than the royal blue that was used in the old stadium (ooh, it's difficult to say old stadium).

YES had a number of camera shots through the net behind home plate for fly balls to center field. It was annoying and needs to stop.

Way too many signs on the outfield fence. It's hard to pick up the baseball on a deep drive.

Good job by the YES crew showing off the new place.

We definitely got hungry seeing all the food and signs for food.

Okay, back to the ball game. The Yankees fell behind 3-0 due to some erratic pitching from Chien-Ming Wang (The Wanger did throw a called strike with the first pitch of the game). Cano's 2-run home run to right field in the 2nd inning cut the deficit to one, and Matsui's 2-run shot off the foul pole in right put the Yankees up 4-3.

The Cubs tied the game up with a run in the fourth, though if this had been a meaningful game the Yankees most likely would have had the infield in with a runner on third and less than two outs.

Ransom put the Yankees right back up on top though in the home half of the fourth, hitting a high shot off the foul pole in left field with two aboard for a 7-4 advantage.

Mariano Rivera tossed a scoreless sixth and was followed by Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, and Jonathan Albaladejo, who tossed a scoreless inning each.

Derek Jeter enjoyed a good day in the batter's box before leaving in favor of Ramiro Pena in the sixth. The captain singled, doubled, and walked for a perfect day at the plate. Jeter's defensive day had mixed results as he committed a throwing error and had another throwing error overturned.

Matsui is hitting just .239 in the exhibition season, but now has four home runs and 14 RBI.

Probably more impressive than his home run, was Cano taking a pitch to left field for a single.

After a slow start, Xavier Nady's spring average is up to .311 after he went 2-3 tonight.

April 3, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	1	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		4	6	1
NY Yankees	0	2	2	3	0	0	0	0	X		7	13	1

Box Score

Ramiro Pena Makes his Case

Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News reported this morning that the Yankees are giving serious consideration to awarding the utility infield spot to 23-yr old Ramiro Pena. With the injury to Alex Rodriguez opening a spot on the roster, it was believed that Cody Ransom would be the every day third baseman and Angel Berroa would be the utility man.

But Pena has opened a lot of eyes this spring with his glove, speed, and the ability to play multiple infield positions. A .304 spring batting average and 7 RBI hasn't hurt his cause either.

The down side, of course, is having a 23-yr old sitting most days instead of playing regularly in the minor leagues. (Pena hasn't played above Double-A thus far.) Berroa has made a case for himself this spring by hitting .400 this spring. He's got power and could push Ransom if he were to struggle in A-Rod's place.

The bad news for both players is that the winner of the competition will most likely be sent to the minors when A-Rod returns, with Ransom resuming his utility role.

Yankees won't be Held for Ransom

It remains to be seen whether Cody Ransom is indeed the temporary fix at third base while Alex Rodriguez convalesces. (George King of the Post has more on Ransom.) He's certainly going to get the chance based on the spring he's had thus far, but if turns out that A-Rod will miss much more time than the expected 6-9 weeks, Brian Cashman, despite public statements, will be looking elsewhere for someone to man the hot corner.

Let's take a look at who might be available if the Yankees feel a 33-yr old journeyman isn't their answer on the left side of the infield.

Mark Teahen
It's the name that has been thrown out there most often. Teahen came up as a third baseman, and has also played first base and right field. The 27-yr old has had an up and down four year career in the majors.

His rookie season was nothing to write home about it - .246-7-55 and a .685 OPS- but Teahen's sophomore year was a big improvement. A .290 average, 18 home runs, 69 RBI, and an .874 OPS gave Royals fans a player to hang their hopes on.

Teahen put up another good average .285 in year three, but his power suddenly dropped off - just 7 home runs in 2007. Of more of a concern, were a career high 127 strikeouts.

Last season was a combination of Teahen's entire career. The power returned- 15 home runs, but his average dipped back down to .255 and he had even more strikeouts, 131, than the prior year.

Teahen's career is at a crossroads right now. Is he an every day player or a high power/high strikeout guy platoon or bench player?

With Teahen making over $3.5 million a season, the Royals would like to move him.


Bobby Crosby
Crosby's career has been filled with injuries since he hit 22 home runs as a rookie 2004. He's only topped 100 games once (2008) in the ensuing four years. The A's brought in Orlando Cabrera to play shortstop this season, so Oakland is giving Crosby a look at third base, which serves two purposes.

Eric Chavez has a chronic bad back, so Crosby could see a lot of playing time at his new position. Billy Beane knows another position will also give Crosby more trade value. (Beane also knows in hindsight that he should never have signed Crosby to the long term deal that pays him $5.25 million in this final season of the deal.)

Crosby would come relatively cheap because of his salary, but do you need a high priced player, whose career batting average is .239? Ransom's career average is .251.


Chone Figgins
There have been rumors for several years now about the Angels looking to move Figgins. This could be the year though since Figgins is in the last year of his contract, and Brandon Wood has a chance to establish himself at third base. Then again it could be Woods that's moved, with Figgins signing a new deal.

Figgins would add speed to the team and also would give them a super utility player (2B, 3B, OF) if A-Rod returns to form at third base.


Chad Tracy
Another potential free agent, Tracy was relegated to a part-time role the last two seasons for Arizona after putting up solid numbers in 2004-5. He's a lifetime .804 OPS guy, who, like Teahen, would be replacing a right-handed bat with a left-handed one.

A big knock on Tracy though is the 25 errors he made in those two fine offensive seasons. That's the reason he sees significant time at first base now instead of third. Would the Yankees be willing to take a defensive hit for plus offense?

Melvin Mora
It's hard to imagine the Orioles helping out the Yankees, but Mora could bring some significant trade value to the O's. The 37-yr old is coming off the second best offensive season of his career (.285-23-104).

Mora is set to make $9 million this season and the O's have an option for next year, though the buyout is for only $1 million. A buyout the O's would likely take advantage of.

More would like to finish his career in Baltimore, but perhaps playing for a contender would sway him.


Blake DeWitt
The Dodgers second year player has been mentioned, because of being blocked at third base by Casey Blake, and at second base by Orlando Hudson.

The Yankees would have to give up a prospect of significance for DeWitt, who could still replace Hudson next season. And what do you do with DeWitt once A-Rod is healthy? Your only option would be to deal him or Robinson Cano, if Cano doesn't play to potential.

DeWitt is unlikely to land in Pinstripes.

For now, Cody Ransom is the answer, but will A-Rod or Ransom be the answer on June 1?

photos courtesy of cbc.ca and baltimoresun.com

The Daily Yankeeland - 3/11

The Yankees style is buttoned up corporate; Nick Swisher has other ideas.

Johnny Damon, who dresses next to Swisher, says Swisher “knows that this is a short part of our lives, and he is going to enjoy it to the fullest.”

George King of the Post has a piece on the Yankees current third baseman. That would be Cody Ransom.

Mike Mussina and his family visited the Yankees yesterday and watched last night's game.

The Yankees travel to Lakeland today to take on the Tigers in a 1:05 start. CC Sabathia gets the start for the Yanks.

Peter Abraham has a live video chat scheduled for Noon EDT today.

Mariano Rivera threw a BP session today and felt good afterwards. Jesus Montero and John Rodriguez were the guinea pigs.

Investigators found evidence of steroids on the needles that Brian McNamee allegedly injected Roger Clemens with. The Rocket's DNA had already been found on the same needles. Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin, was quick to dismiss the test, stating in not so many words that McNamee had tamperedwith the evidence.

Andy Pettitte was in D.C. last week to meet with investigators on the Clemens' perjury case.

The Yankees are being proactive in killing germs in the new digs.

A new autobiography of George Steinbrenner, says the Yankees owner and olympic backer, supported skaters Tanya Harding, Nicole Bobek, and Ron Karnaugh in the early '90s. Yes, that would be when Harding's goons "laid the pipe" to Nancy Kerrigan. The Steinbrenner camp says they don't remember funding Harding at all. King George doesn't have good taste in picking out skaters though. Bobek was arrested for home invasion in 1994.

Joba Gets His Groove Back

Joba Chamberlain wasn't worried, at least outwardly, about his wildness in his first two spring starts, but his manager Joe Girardi was starting to get a bit little concerned. Girardi added though, that he would be more concerned if it continued. You can rest easier, Skip.

Chamberlain was on the mark tonight as the Yankees thrashed the Reds, 7-1, in Tampa. The Yankees prized righty allowed a run on three hits over three innings. More importantly, he was in total command of his pitches. Chamberlain didn't issue a walk, while striking out three. The lone run scored when center fielder Brett Gardner misjudged a fly ball with a runner in scoring position.

The remainder of the Yankees pitching was equally effective. Phil Coke, Kei Igawa, Christian Garcia, and Anthony Claggett combined with Chamberlain for 12 strikeouts.

The Yankees offense had a big night too, collecting 14 hits, including home runs by Juan Miranda and Shelley Duncan. Gardner, Cody Ransom, and Ramiro Pena had two hits apiece, and Gardner and Ransom added to their spring resume with an RBI each.

Box Score

Breaking News: A-Rod out 10 Weeks with Hip Surgery

ESPNdeportes is reporting, courtesy of A-Rod's brother, that the third baseman will be out 6-10 weeks to undergo hip surgery. The Yankees have not acknowledged the information, but A-Rod reportedly will have the surgery done in Colorado on Monday, by top hip guy, Dr. Michael Philippon.

It's a blow to the Yankees hopes of getting off to a good start, but thankfully, much of the time missed will be during spring training. It makes the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett even more significant to keep games lower scoring.

This means that Cody Ransom will most likely be the starting third baseman, with Angel Berroa serving as the utility infielder. It also means there is no way that Brian Cashman can trade Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher. It also means there is no way the Yankees should move Mark Teixeira back to his old third base position.

It also means Yankees fans should not start saying they should have signed Manny Ramirez, or that they should go out and get a player to replace A-Rod.

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.

Yankees Offense Scores a Month of Sundays

Mike Mussina and the rest of the Yankees pitching staff must have been in shock yesterday as one Yankees runner after another came across home plate. The Yankees scored more runs on Sunday than they had in their previous five games combined, and beat the Kansas City Royals 15-6. In winning their first series of the month, the Bombers finally lived up to their nickname, banging out 15 hits to help Mike Mussina win his 16th game of the season.

It's the most wins in a season for Mussina- who started the game by giving up three quick runs in the first inning- since he earned 17 victories in 2003. Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Xavier Nady, and Cody Ransom each went deep as the Yankees pounded Royals starter Brian Bannister and the KC pen.

The Yankees wasted no time in immediately erasing the 3-0 deficit in the first inning. After Johnny Damon singled and Derek Jeter reached on a walk, A-Rod drilled a Bannister delivery into Monument Park for a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Nady belted a solo shot off the foul screen in right for a 4-0 advantage.

The Yankees ended up hitting for the cycle in the inning as Robinson Cano singled and scored on a Jose Molina double, and Molina came home on Brett Gardner's triple. Bannister finally retired Damon on a fly out to end the inning.

The Yankees didn't let up in the second inning, belting Bannister for four more runs. After a single by Jeter, the first of four hits by him on the day, and walks to Bobby Abreu and A-Rod, Giambi unloaded a grand slam into the right field seats for a 10-3 lead. When Nady and Cano followed with singles, Royals skipper Trey Hillman mercifully pulled Bannister from the game.

The game didn't start off on a good note though. You could hear the sounds of "here we go again" as the Royals flared and grounded their way on base against Mussina in the first inning. David DeJesus, Mark Teahen, and Jose Guillen singled to load the bases with one out. Billy Butler doubled to left to score a pair of runs and Alex Gordon's fly to deep center field brought home another runner for a 3-0 Royals advantage.

The Royals looked like they would come right back from the 6-3 deficit when John Buck started the second with a double and moved to third on Estaban German's single. But Mussina retired DeJesus on a shallow fly, and got Mike Aviles to bounce into an inning-ending double play. After that Mussina breezed, retiring the side in order over the next four innings before turning things over to Billy Traber and the bullpen.


News and Notes

Leading 13-3 in the seventh inning, Ransom hit his first Yankee home run in his first at-bat as a Yankee. He got a curtain call from the fans, which included his family. He also got the ball back from a fan in exchange for a bat. It was his first major league home run since September 16, 2007.

Mike Mussina's win was the 266th of his career, tying him with Hall of Fame members Eppa Rixey and Bob Feller for 35th place on the all-time wins list. Mussina will need two more wins to catch Orioles great and Hall of Fame member, Jim Palmer.

Hideki Matsui is expected to be activated for Tuesday's game with Toronto.

Joe Girardi conceded that the Yankees will need to call up a starter for Sunday's game with Baltimore, but did not say who it would be. Phil Hughes got knocked around for Scranton yesterday, while Carl Pavano pitched well for Trenton. Here's to hoping they select Hughes, or anyone rather than Pavano.

Derek Jeter was 9-14 in the series and is 12-19 over his last four games. His .295 average is the highest it has been since May 23.

August 17, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Kansas City	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2		6	10	1
NY Yankees	6	4	1	0	0	0	4	0	X		15	17	0

Kansas City	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
DeJesus, CF-LF	5	2	2	0	0	1	3	.293
Aviles, M, SS-2B	4	1	1	1	0	1	2	.317
Teahen, LF-RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	2	.249
Guillen, RF	3	1	1	0	0	1	0	.253
b-Maier, PH-CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.345
Butler, DH	4	0	1	2	0	1	0	.266
Gordon, 3B	2	1	0	1	1	0	0	.255
Gload, 1B	4	1	2	2	0	0	1	.272
Buck, C	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.220
German, 2B	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.226
a-Pena, PH-SS	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.162
Totals	35	6	10	6	1	7	10
a-Grounded out for German in the 7th. b-Grounded out for Guillen in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Butler (16, Mussina), Buck (20, Mussina). HR: Gload (3, 9th inning off Britton, 1 on, 1 out). TB: DeJesus 2; Aviles, M; Guillen; Butler 2; Gload 5; Buck 2; German; Pena. RBI: Butler 2 (41), Gordon (51), Aviles, M (32), Gload 2 (33). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gload. SF: Gordon. GIDP: Aviles, M. Team LOB: 4. FIELDING E: Buck (6, throw). DP: 2 (German-Gload, German-Aviles, M-Gload).

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH-LF	4	2	0	0	2	1	2	.313
Jeter, SS	4	3	4	0	0	0	0	.295
Betemit, SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.261
Abreu, RF	3	2	1	1	2	0	4	.289
Christian, RF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	3	3	5	2	0	0	.313
Traber, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Britton, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Giambi, 1B	4	1	1	4	0	1	3	.251
a-Ransom, PH-3B	1	1	1	2	0	0	0	1.000
Nady, LF-1B	4	1	2	1	1	0	0	.327
Cano, 2B	5	1	2	0	0	1	1	.266
Molina, C	5	1	1	1	0	0	3	.227
Gardner, CF	5	0	2	1	0	0	1	.192
Totals	38	15	17	15	7	3	14
a-Homered for Giambi in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Molina (17, Bannister), Abreu (31, Fulchino). 3B: Gardner (1, Bannister). HR: Rodriguez, A (28, 1st inning off Bannister, 2 on, 1 out), Nady (20, 1st inning off Bannister, 0 on, 2 out), Giambi (24, 2nd inning off Bannister, 3 on, 0 out), Ransom (1, 7th inning off Fulchino, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter 4; Abreu 2; Rodriguez, A 6; Giambi 4; Ransom 4; Nady 5; Cano 2; Molina 2; Gardner 4. RBI: Rodriguez, A 5 (77), Nady (75), Molina (13), Gardner (9), Giambi 4 (72), Abreu (80), Ransom 2 (2). 2-out RBI: Nady; Molina; Gardner; Rodriguez, A 2; Abreu; Ransom 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Damon; Gardner; Giambi 2. GIDP: Abreu. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (21, 2nd base off Bannister/Buck), Jeter (9, 2nd base off Bannister/Buck). FIELDING DP: (Jeter-Cano-Giambi).

Kansas City	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Bannister (L, 7-12)	1.0	10	10	10	3	0	3	5.96
Newman	4.0	3	1	1	4	1	0	7.36
Fulchino	3.0	4	4	4	0	2	1	10.24

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 16-7)	6.0	6	3	3	0	5	0	3.35
Traber	2.0	2	1	1	0	1	0	5.65
Britton	1.0	2	2	2	1	1	1	4.63

Bannister pitched to 6 batters in the 2nd.

WP: Traber.
HBP: Jeter (by Fulchino).
Pitches-strikes: Bannister 65-37, Newman 67-37, Fulchino 41-26,
Mussina 97-67, Traber 23-16, Britton 24-17.
Ground outs-fly outs: Bannister 1-2, Newman 2-7, Fulchino 4-3,
Mussina 9-4, Traber 4-1, Britton 0-2.
Batters faced: Bannister 16, Newman 16, Fulchino 14,
Mussina 23, Traber 8, Britton 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Newman 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Laz Diaz. 1B: Scott Barry.
2B: Kerwin Danley. 3B: Wally Bell.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, Out to LF.
T: 3:07.
Att: 54,114.

Yankees Offense Scores a Month of Sundays

Mike Mussina and the rest of the Yankees pitching staff must have been in shock yesterday as one Yankees runner after another came across home plate. The Yankees scored more runs on Sunday than they had in their previous five games combined, and beat the Kansas City Royals 15-6. In winning their first series of the month, the Bombers finally lived up to their nickname, banging out 15 hits to help Mike Mussina win his 16th game of the season.

It's the most wins in a season for Mussina- who started the game by giving up three quick runs in the first inning- since he earned 17 victories in 2003. Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Xavier Nady, and Cody Ransom each went deep as the Yankees pounded Royals starter Brian Bannister and the KC pen.

The Yankees wasted no time in immediately erasing the 3-0 deficit in the first inning. After Johnny Damon singled and Derek Jeter reached on a walk, A-Rod drilled a Bannister delivery into Monument Park for a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Nady belted a solo shot off the foul screen in right for a 4-0 advantage.

The Yankees ended up hitting for the cycle in the inning as Robinson Cano singled and scored on a Jose Molina double, and Molina came home on Brett Gardner's triple. Bannister finally retired Damon on a fly out to end the inning.

The Yankees didn't let up in the second inning, belting Bannister for four more runs. After a single by Jeter, the first of four hits by him on the day, and walks to Bobby Abreu and A-Rod, Giambi unloaded a grand slam into the right field seats for a 10-3 lead. When Nady and Cano followed with singles, Royals skipper Trey Hillman mercifully pulled Bannister from the game.

The game didn't start off on a good note though. You could hear the sounds of "here we go again" as the Royals flared and grounded their way on base against Mussina in the first inning. David DeJesus, Mark Teahen, and Jose Guillen singled to load the bases with one out. Billy Butler doubled to left to score a pair of runs and Alex Gordon's fly to deep center field brought home another runner for a 3-0 Royals advantage.

The Royals looked like they would come right back from the 6-3 deficit when John Buck started the second with a double and moved to third on Estaban German's single. But Mussina retired DeJesus on a shallow fly, and got Mike Aviles to bounce into an inning-ending double play. After that Mussina breezed, retiring the side in order over the next four innings before turning things over to Billy Traber and the bullpen.


News and Notes

Leading 13-3 in the seventh inning, Ransom hit his first Yankee home run in his first at-bat as a Yankee. He got a curtain call from the fans, which included his family. He also got the ball back from a fan in exchange for a bat. It was his first major league home run since September 16, 2007.

Mike Mussina's win was the 266th of his career, tying him with Hall of Fame members Eppa Rixey and Bob Feller for 35th place on the all-time wins list. Mussina will need two more wins to catch Orioles great and Hall of Fame member, Jim Palmer.

Hideki Matsui is expected to be activated for Tuesday's game with Toronto.

Joe Girardi conceded that the Yankees will need to call up a starter for Sunday's game with Baltimore, but did not say who it would be. Phil Hughes got knocked around for Scranton yesterday, while Carl Pavano pitched well for Trenton. Here's to hoping they select Hughes, or anyone rather than Pavano.

Derek Jeter was 9-14 in the series and is 12-19 over his last four games. His .295 average is the highest it has been since May 23.

August 17, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Kansas City	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2		6	10	1
NY Yankees	6	4	1	0	0	0	4	0	X		15	17	0

Kansas City	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
DeJesus, CF-LF	5	2	2	0	0	1	3	.293
Aviles, M, SS-2B	4	1	1	1	0	1	2	.317
Teahen, LF-RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	2	.249
Guillen, RF	3	1	1	0	0	1	0	.253
b-Maier, PH-CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.345
Butler, DH	4	0	1	2	0	1	0	.266
Gordon, 3B	2	1	0	1	1	0	0	.255
Gload, 1B	4	1	2	2	0	0	1	.272
Buck, C	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.220
German, 2B	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.226
a-Pena, PH-SS	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.162
Totals	35	6	10	6	1	7	10
a-Grounded out for German in the 7th. b-Grounded out for Guillen in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Butler (16, Mussina), Buck (20, Mussina). HR: Gload (3, 9th inning off Britton, 1 on, 1 out). TB: DeJesus 2; Aviles, M; Guillen; Butler 2; Gload 5; Buck 2; German; Pena. RBI: Butler 2 (41), Gordon (51), Aviles, M (32), Gload 2 (33). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gload. SF: Gordon. GIDP: Aviles, M. Team LOB: 4. FIELDING E: Buck (6, throw). DP: 2 (German-Gload, German-Aviles, M-Gload).

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH-LF	4	2	0	0	2	1	2	.313
Jeter, SS	4	3	4	0	0	0	0	.295
Betemit, SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.261
Abreu, RF	3	2	1	1	2	0	4	.289
Christian, RF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	3	3	5	2	0	0	.313
Traber, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Britton, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Giambi, 1B	4	1	1	4	0	1	3	.251
a-Ransom, PH-3B	1	1	1	2	0	0	0	1.000
Nady, LF-1B	4	1	2	1	1	0	0	.327
Cano, 2B	5	1	2	0	0	1	1	.266
Molina, C	5	1	1	1	0	0	3	.227
Gardner, CF	5	0	2	1	0	0	1	.192
Totals	38	15	17	15	7	3	14
a-Homered for Giambi in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Molina (17, Bannister), Abreu (31, Fulchino). 3B: Gardner (1, Bannister). HR: Rodriguez, A (28, 1st inning off Bannister, 2 on, 1 out), Nady (20, 1st inning off Bannister, 0 on, 2 out), Giambi (24, 2nd inning off Bannister, 3 on, 0 out), Ransom (1, 7th inning off Fulchino, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter 4; Abreu 2; Rodriguez, A 6; Giambi 4; Ransom 4; Nady 5; Cano 2; Molina 2; Gardner 4. RBI: Rodriguez, A 5 (77), Nady (75), Molina (13), Gardner (9), Giambi 4 (72), Abreu (80), Ransom 2 (2). 2-out RBI: Nady; Molina; Gardner; Rodriguez, A 2; Abreu; Ransom 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Damon; Gardner; Giambi 2. GIDP: Abreu. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (21, 2nd base off Bannister/Buck), Jeter (9, 2nd base off Bannister/Buck). FIELDING DP: (Jeter-Cano-Giambi).

Kansas City	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Bannister (L, 7-12)	1.0	10	10	10	3	0	3	5.96
Newman	4.0	3	1	1	4	1	0	7.36
Fulchino	3.0	4	4	4	0	2	1	10.24

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 16-7)	6.0	6	3	3	0	5	0	3.35
Traber	2.0	2	1	1	0	1	0	5.65
Britton	1.0	2	2	2	1	1	1	4.63

Bannister pitched to 6 batters in the 2nd.

WP: Traber.
HBP: Jeter (by Fulchino).
Pitches-strikes: Bannister 65-37, Newman 67-37, Fulchino 41-26,
Mussina 97-67, Traber 23-16, Britton 24-17.
Ground outs-fly outs: Bannister 1-2, Newman 2-7, Fulchino 4-3,
Mussina 9-4, Traber 4-1, Britton 0-2.
Batters faced: Bannister 16, Newman 16, Fulchino 14,
Mussina 23, Traber 8, Britton 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Newman 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Laz Diaz. 1B: Scott Barry.
2B: Kerwin Danley. 3B: Wally Bell.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, Out to LF.
T: 3:07.
Att: 54,114.