Things Are Not Grand in Yankees-land

Yeah, that hurt. (photo courtesy of AP)

Everyone held their breath for about an hour or so until the bad news was delivered Sunday afternoon. Curtis Granderson, hit in the right forearm in his first at-bat of spring training, will miss 10 weeks and hopefully will return in May.

Toronto Blue Jays starter J. A. Happ nailed Granderson, who made it down to first base, but immediately left the game for x-rays.  The injury further saps a team that is missing much of its power from last season. Granderson (84 home runs over the last two years) joins Alex Rodriguez on the disabled list, while free agents Nick Swisher (24 home runs in 2012), Russell Martin (21 HR), and Raul Ibanez (19 HR) all signed elsewhere.

Barring a trade the injury gives both Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera a better chance of making the team rather than just one of them. (Be glad Bubba Crosby is retired) Those of you who are thinking 'what about moving Eduardo Nunez to the outfield", forget it. Joe Girardi was adamant on today's telecast that Nunez would only play shortstop in hopes of improving his defense, while also not messing with his promising bat. (Girardi said it before he knew the extent of the injury, but I don't see it changing anything regarding Nunez.)

Diaz and Rivera are both well past their prime and both are right-handed hitters. One was expected to share right field with Ichiro Suzuki and DH at-bats with Travis Hafner. The only other outfielder that could possibly win a spot out of spring training would be Ronnier Mustelier.

The Cuban-born fireplug (5'10", 210 lbs) tore up pitching at Trenton ('AA') and Scranton ('AAA') last season in 114 games played. 82 of those games were at the Triple-A level where he posted an .815 OPS with 10 HR and 49 RBI in 347 at-bats. Mustelier was even better in the Eastern League where he compiled a 1.010 OPS in 25 games.The 28-year old is also a right-hander hitter.

"We need guys to step up" is already an overused quote down at George M. Steinbrenner III Field, but it has never been truer of any Yankees team in recent memory. Hafner will need to stay healthy and productive; the same can said for third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

The Yankees could find someone productive off the waiver wires prior to the end of spring training or Brian Cashman could pursue a deal (though he will say the Yankees will look for a solution within the organization.)  Among the outfielders that are potential free agents after this season are Texas' David Murphy and the oft-injured Nelson Cruz, Arizona's Jason Kubel, and KC's Jeff Francoeur. Players like Carlos Beltran and Shin-Soo Choo are likely not to be moved before the Major League trade deadline. Basically, I don't see the Yankees obtaining anyone more than an average player.

As for Granderson, he's in the final year of the deal he originally signed with Detroit and is scheduled to be a free agent after the season. Missing significant playing time could be a significant dent in his wallet.

Pfen Pfail

Just about everyone has had it happen to them at least once. Dress shirt on, pen in the pocket. The next thing you know you've got a giant ink stain on your shirt. Thursday afternoon's performance by the Yankees bullpen was the baseball equivalent of said scenario.

The Yankees had a legitimate shot to pull off an unthinkable four game series sweep of the Texas Rangers, but the Yankees relievers couldn't get it done. The Yankees had rallied from a 4-0 deficit to put five on the board in the bottom of the 6th against Rangers' starter Derek Holland, but Texas quickly wrested control back in the top of the 7th.

Yankees starter Ivan Nova had departed after 5.2 innings and four earned runs allowed, unable to build off of his 10 strikeout win against the Toronto Blue Jays five days ago. Boone Logan took his first loss in five decisions after he allowed an inherited runner to score and gave up the lead on an RBI double by David Murphy.

Joba Chamberlain continued to struggle since his return from the disabled list on August 1. He came on after Logan and struck out Geovany Soto for the second out of the inning, but then allowed a back breaking 2-run single to Chris Gentry for a 7-5 Texas lead. The Yankees got one back in the  bottom of the inning, but Texas put the game away with three more runs charged to Chamberlain and Clay Rapada for a 10-6 final.

While it would have been nice to pull off a four game sweep against one of the toughest lineups in all of baseball, the Yankees have to be happy having taken three out of four. Especially with David Phelps and Freddy Garcia having started two of the four games.

Notes

The Yankees five run 6th was highlighted by Andruw Jones' game tying 2-run home run. The Yankees then took the lead when Casey McGehee reached on error and came home on Russell Martin's RBI single.

Baseball Digest | Cruz Missile Puts Texas In Command

The baseball post-season is all about do-overs. You can have a rotten regular season and then become a hero in October. You can also wear goat horns in in one series and be the guy who comes through with the big hit in the next clash. Nelson Cruz knows what it feels like. Though his Texas Rangers won their AL division series, Cruz played no offensive role in advancing to the next round. He was just 1-15 and struck out five times against the Tampa Bay Rays. All that changed on Monday though when Cruz, who had homered in Game 1, smacked two more to give his Texas Rangers a commanding two games to none lead over the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS.

Tigers’ starter Max Scherzer had given up a pair of early runs, but held a 3-2 lead entering the 7th inning, thanks to a Ryan Rayburn 3-run home run off of Rangers’ starter Derek Holland. That’s when Cruz played the hero for the first time, tying the game against Scherzer with a solo blast in the 7th inning. Then Cruz put his name in the record books when he became the first player in League Championship Series to hit a walk off grand slam. It came in the 11th inning after Ryan Perry had allowed three straight singles, and gave the Rangers a 7-3 victory. It was a home run that fit the moment; a majestic shot that simply had to stay fair, which it did.

Read the rest of this free story at BaseballDigest.com.

Yankees Win Game, Lose Pudge

It seemed like a month of Sundays rather just three days, but the Yankees "finally" won tonight, 5-3 over the Texas Rangers to snap a two game losing streak. The win was not without some cost, though. A few short hours after Joba Chamberlain was placed on the DL with rotator cuff tendinitis, Ivan Rodriguez was knocked from the game in a knee-to-knee collision with Rangers outfielder David Murphy. I-Rod is listed as day to day with a bruised knee, while Murphy may be headed to the DL with a strained PCL.

As for the game, Sidney Ponson gave the Yankees a second straight solid outing, allowing 3 earned runs in 6.1 innings pitched. Ponson spotted the Rangers a 2-0 lead on a second inning single by rookie Chris Davis. It could have been more, but on Ian Kinsler's single to right field, Bobby Abreu fired home a perfect two-hopper to Rodriguez at the plate. Murphy slid late and was upright as he collided with the Yankees catcher. Both players were immediately attended to by their respective trainers and I-Rod hobbled off the field. Murphy stayed in the game, but would leave an inning later.

For one game at least, the Yankees came up with some clutch hits against rookie pitcher Tommy Hunter. Robinson Cano and Jose Molina started the third with a pair of singles and the Yankees got on the board when Wilson Betemit, who started at third base to let A-Rod get some time at DH, doubled to left-center to score Cano. Johnny Damon's ground out to Kinsler scored Molina and moved Betemit to third. Derek Jeter then bounced one up the middle and through the drawn in infield for an RBI single and a 3-2 Yankees lead.

Jason Giambi took Hunter deep in the 4th for his 22nd home run of the season and a 4-2 lead. The Yankees tacked on another run an inning later when Damon stroked a one out single, stole second base, and scored on Jeter's double to right-center. Then it was up to Ponson and the pen.

Kinsler's one out single in the fifth snapped a short streak of five straight retired by Ponson, but Frank Catalanotto lined into an inning ending double play. Michael Young took Ponson deep for his 10th home run of the season to start the sixth, but Ponson retired the last four men he faced and departed with one out in the 7th.

A combination of Edwar Ramirez, Damaso Marte, and Jose Veras build the bridge to Mariano Rivera in the 9th. Pitching without back pain, Rivera struck out the first two batters of the 9th before a single by Davis gave the Rangers one more chance. But Rivera got Ramon Vazquez on a game-ending force out for his 27th save in as many chances.

News and Notes
Brian Cashman, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Joe Girardi, Ken Singleton, Michael Kay (who is not working the series in Texas), and David Cone were among the Yankees contingent that flew to Oklahoma City for Bobby Murcer's memorial. Ironically it came 29 years after the Thurman Munson funeral game in which Bobby was the hero.

Ian Kennedy will take Joba Chamberlain's turn in the rotation versus the Angels this Friday.

Chad Moeller cleared waivers and was assigned to Scranton. He could be back already with the injury to Ivan Rodriguez.

Former Yankee Jeff Karstens came within 5 outs of a perfect game for the Pirates today. Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Young finally broke it up and Karstens settled for a 2-hit complete game. Karstens, who beat Randy Johnson today, has not been scored on in 15 National League innings.

August 6, 2008

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

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF-LF	5	1	2	1	0	0	1	.317
Jeter, SS	4	0	2	2	1	2	0	.281
Abreu, RF	5	0	2	0	0	0	4	.291
Rodriguez, A, DH	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.315
Giambi, 1B	4	1	1	1	0	2	1	.256
Sexson, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.226
Nady, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.334
Cabrera, CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.242
Cano, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	.261
Rodriguez, I, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.291
a-Molina, PH-C	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	.240
Betemit, 3B	4	1	1	1	0	1	1	.250
Totals	38	5	12	5	1	8	14
a-Singled for Rodriguez, I in the 3rd.
BATTING 2B: Betemit (8, Hunter), Jeter (24, Hunter), Nady (30, Madrigal). HR: Giambi (22, 4th inning off Hunter, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon 2; Jeter 3; Abreu 2; Giambi 4; Nady 2; Cano; Molina 2; Betemit 2. RBI: Betemit (19), Damon (48), Jeter 2 (53), Giambi (65). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, A; Molina; Nady; Abreu 2. GIDP: Rodriguez, A. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (17, 2nd base off Hunter/Laird). CS: Jeter (3, 2nd base by Hunter/Laird). PO: Jeter (1st base by Hunter). FIELDING Outfield assists: Abreu (Murphy at home). DP: (Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Ponson (W, 7-2)	6.1	6	3	3	1	4	1	4.23
Ramirez (H, 4)	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	3.02
Marte (H, 17)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.18
Veras (H, 7)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.54
Rivera (S, 27)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	1.46

Texas	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Kinsler, 2B	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	.316
Catalanotto, DH	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.287
Young, SS	4	1	1	1	0	1	1	.289
Hamilton, CF	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.305
Byrd, RF	3	1	0	0	0	0	2	.260
Murphy, LF	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.275
Boggs, LF	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.244
Laird, C	4	0	0	0	0	2	3	.300
Davis, C, 1B	4	0	2	2	0	1	0	.295
Vazquez, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	2	3	.321
Totals	34	3	9	3	1	7	12
BATTING HR: Young (10, 6th inning off Ponson, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Kinsler 2; Catalanotto; Young 4; Hamilton; Murphy; Davis, C 2; Vazquez. RBI: Davis, C 2 (28), Young (64). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Byrd. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING E: Young (9, missed catch), Byrd (4, fielding). DP: (Davis, C-Young-Madrigal). Pickoffs: Hunter (Jeter at 1st base).

Texas IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Hunter (L, 0-1) 4.1 8 5 5 0 4 1 10.61 Madrigal 3.2 2 0 0 0 2 0 6.00 Benoit 1.0 2 0 0 1 2 0 5.45

WP: Benoit. HBP: Byrd (by Ponson). Pitches-strikes: Ponson 95-60, Ramirez 20-14, Marte 4-3, Veras 6-4, Rivera 15-11, Hunter 77-53, Madrigal 46-32, Benoit 21-14. Ground outs-fly outs: Ponson 8-5, Ramirez 1-1, Marte 1-0, Veras 0-1, Rivera 1-0, Hunter 2-7, Madrigal 5-4, Benoit 1-0. Batters faced: Ponson 25, Ramirez 5, Marte 1, Veras 1, Rivera 4, Hunter 21, Madrigal 12, Benoit 6. Inherited runners-scored: Marte 1-0, Veras 1-0, Madrigal 2-0. Umpires: HP: Bob Davidson. 1B: Rob Drake. 2B: Andy Fletcher. 3B: Alfonso Marquez. Weather: 92 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, R to L. T: 3:04.

Yankees Win Game, Lose Pudge

It seemed like a month of Sundays rather just three days, but the Yankees "finally" won tonight, 5-3 over the Texas Rangers to snap a two game losing streak. The win was not without some cost, though. A few short hours after Joba Chamberlain was placed on the DL with rotator cuff tendinitis, Ivan Rodriguez was knocked from the game in a knee-to-knee collision with Rangers outfielder David Murphy. I-Rod is listed as day to day with a bruised knee, while Murphy may be headed to the DL with a strained PCL.

As for the game, Sidney Ponson gave the Yankees a second straight solid outing, allowing 3 earned runs in 6.1 innings pitched. Ponson spotted the Rangers a 2-0 lead on a second inning single by rookie Chris Davis. It could have been more, but on Ian Kinsler's single to right field, Bobby Abreu fired home a perfect two-hopper to Rodriguez at the plate. Murphy slid late and was upright as he collided with the Yankees catcher. Both players were immediately attended to by their respective trainers and I-Rod hobbled off the field. Murphy stayed in the game, but would leave an inning later.

For one game at least, the Yankees came up with some clutch hits against rookie pitcher Tommy Hunter. Robinson Cano and Jose Molina started the third with a pair of singles and the Yankees got on the board when Wilson Betemit, who started at third base to let A-Rod get some time at DH, doubled to left-center to score Cano. Johnny Damon's ground out to Kinsler scored Molina and moved Betemit to third. Derek Jeter then bounced one up the middle and through the drawn in infield for an RBI single and a 3-2 Yankees lead.

Jason Giambi took Hunter deep in the 4th for his 22nd home run of the season and a 4-2 lead. The Yankees tacked on another run an inning later when Damon stroked a one out single, stole second base, and scored on Jeter's double to right-center. Then it was up to Ponson and the pen.

Kinsler's one out single in the fifth snapped a short streak of five straight retired by Ponson, but Frank Catalanotto lined into an inning ending double play. Michael Young took Ponson deep for his 10th home run of the season to start the sixth, but Ponson retired the last four men he faced and departed with one out in the 7th.

A combination of Edwar Ramirez, Damaso Marte, and Jose Veras build the bridge to Mariano Rivera in the 9th. Pitching without back pain, Rivera struck out the first two batters of the 9th before a single by Davis gave the Rangers one more chance. But Rivera got Ramon Vazquez on a game-ending force out for his 27th save in as many chances.

News and Notes
Brian Cashman, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Joe Girardi, Ken Singleton, Michael Kay (who is not working the series in Texas), and David Cone were among the Yankees contingent that flew to Oklahoma City for Bobby Murcer's memorial. Ironically it came 29 years after the Thurman Munson funeral game in which Bobby was the hero.

Ian Kennedy will take Joba Chamberlain's turn in the rotation versus the Angels this Friday.

Chad Moeller cleared waivers and was assigned to Scranton. He could be back already with the injury to Ivan Rodriguez.

Former Yankee Jeff Karstens came within 5 outs of a perfect game for the Pirates today. Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Young finally broke it up and Karstens settled for a 2-hit complete game. Karstens, who beat Randy Johnson today, has not been scored on in 15 National League innings.

August 6, 2008

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

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF-LF	5	1	2	1	0	0	1	.317
Jeter, SS	4	0	2	2	1	2	0	.281
Abreu, RF	5	0	2	0	0	0	4	.291
Rodriguez, A, DH	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.315
Giambi, 1B	4	1	1	1	0	2	1	.256
Sexson, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.226
Nady, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.334
Cabrera, CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.242
Cano, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	.261
Rodriguez, I, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.291
a-Molina, PH-C	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	.240
Betemit, 3B	4	1	1	1	0	1	1	.250
Totals	38	5	12	5	1	8	14
a-Singled for Rodriguez, I in the 3rd.
BATTING 2B: Betemit (8, Hunter), Jeter (24, Hunter), Nady (30, Madrigal). HR: Giambi (22, 4th inning off Hunter, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon 2; Jeter 3; Abreu 2; Giambi 4; Nady 2; Cano; Molina 2; Betemit 2. RBI: Betemit (19), Damon (48), Jeter 2 (53), Giambi (65). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, A; Molina; Nady; Abreu 2. GIDP: Rodriguez, A. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (17, 2nd base off Hunter/Laird). CS: Jeter (3, 2nd base by Hunter/Laird). PO: Jeter (1st base by Hunter). FIELDING Outfield assists: Abreu (Murphy at home). DP: (Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Ponson (W, 7-2)	6.1	6	3	3	1	4	1	4.23
Ramirez (H, 4)	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	3.02
Marte (H, 17)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.18
Veras (H, 7)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.54
Rivera (S, 27)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	1.46

Texas	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Kinsler, 2B	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	.316
Catalanotto, DH	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.287
Young, SS	4	1	1	1	0	1	1	.289
Hamilton, CF	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.305
Byrd, RF	3	1	0	0	0	0	2	.260
Murphy, LF	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.275
Boggs, LF	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.244
Laird, C	4	0	0	0	0	2	3	.300
Davis, C, 1B	4	0	2	2	0	1	0	.295
Vazquez, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	2	3	.321
Totals	34	3	9	3	1	7	12
BATTING HR: Young (10, 6th inning off Ponson, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Kinsler 2; Catalanotto; Young 4; Hamilton; Murphy; Davis, C 2; Vazquez. RBI: Davis, C 2 (28), Young (64). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Byrd. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING E: Young (9, missed catch), Byrd (4, fielding). DP: (Davis, C-Young-Madrigal). Pickoffs: Hunter (Jeter at 1st base).

Texas IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Hunter (L, 0-1) 4.1 8 5 5 0 4 1 10.61 Madrigal 3.2 2 0 0 0 2 0 6.00 Benoit 1.0 2 0 0 1 2 0 5.45

WP: Benoit. HBP: Byrd (by Ponson). Pitches-strikes: Ponson 95-60, Ramirez 20-14, Marte 4-3, Veras 6-4, Rivera 15-11, Hunter 77-53, Madrigal 46-32, Benoit 21-14. Ground outs-fly outs: Ponson 8-5, Ramirez 1-1, Marte 1-0, Veras 0-1, Rivera 1-0, Hunter 2-7, Madrigal 5-4, Benoit 1-0. Batters faced: Ponson 25, Ramirez 5, Marte 1, Veras 1, Rivera 4, Hunter 21, Madrigal 12, Benoit 6. Inherited runners-scored: Marte 1-0, Veras 1-0, Madrigal 2-0. Umpires: HP: Bob Davidson. 1B: Rob Drake. 2B: Andy Fletcher. 3B: Alfonso Marquez. Weather: 92 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, R to L. T: 3:04.