Burnett, Bats Come Up Short

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I would think that the Yankees' hitters got together before each of A.J. Burnett's starts and agreed, "We will not produce offense tonight." (On the flip side of the coin they make up for it when CC Sabathia pitches.) Last night the offense again pulled up lame and Burnett was not good enough as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Yankees for the first time in seven tries this season, 4-2.

After scoring 21 runs in Burnett's first three starts this season, the Yankees have averaged just 3.2 runs per game in his 19 starts since then. Burnett has not helped matters by having an ERA that has gotten progressively higher as the weather has gotten warmer. (3.09 in April to 4.83 in July). Last night was a typical Burnett start, decent, but not great and not good enough to win. He threw a complete game, snapping a streak of three straight starts that he didn't make it out of the 6th inning, and limited the O's to five hits. He also struck out 10 batters for the first time this season.

But Burnett put the Yankees in a hole early, surrendering a 2-run home run to Mark Reynolds in the 2nd inning. Derek Lee added a solo home run, the 20th allowed by Burnett this season (he allowed 25 HR's in each of the last two seasons) and an RBI double. Conversely, Jeremy Guthrie was putting up zeroes on the scoreboard, despite being one of the Yankees favorite targets. With the victory, Guthrie is still just 4-9, 5.15 in 17 appearances (15 starts) against New York.

Guthrie had everything working last night though and the Yankees couldn't take advantage of what little opportunities they had. Guthrie retired the first seven Yankees hitters before Jorge Posada and Russell Martin reached on back to back singles in the 3rd, but Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter couldn't produce in the clutch. Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher drew two out walks in the 4th, but Eric Chavez to grounded out to end the inning.Mark Teixeira finally got the Yankees on the board in the 6th inning with his 29th home run of the season.

Guthrie limited the Yankees to four hits over seven innings and Koji Uehara tossed a scoreless 8th, before the bats finally woke up in the 9th.Consecutive doubles by Cano and Swisher off of Orioles' closer Kevin Gregg cut Baltimore's lead in half. Posada drew a one out walk to put the tying runs on base, but Martin bounced into a force out and Gardner struck out swinging on a full count to end the game. The prior pitch was outside, but was called a strike by home plate ump Mike DiMuro. After he swung and missed at Gregg's final offering, Gardner expressed all of the Yankees' frustrations by smashing his bat on the ground.

Notes

As expected, Rafael Soriano was activated before the game and Steve Garrison was sent back to Trenton. Sergio Mitre was placed on the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.

The Yankees and Orioles play a day-night doubleheader today. Both Orioles starting pitchers are being recalled from the minor leagues. Chris Tillman faces Bartolo Colon in the opener, while Zach Britton goes against Ivan Nova, also being recalled from Triple-A, in the nightcap.

The Yankees held a moment of silence prior to the game for Hideki Irabu, who committed suicide on Wednesday. Jorge Posada called Irabu's death "devastating".

The Yankees' HOPE week concluded with a very emotional reunion of two friends who were orphans in Russia at one time. Read all about it here.

Lee Says No to a Halo

The Los Angeles Angels surprised a lot of people when they acquired Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Today it was the Halos who got the surprise when Chicago Cubs 1st baseman Derrek Lee turned down a trade to join the club.

Lee invoked his no-trade clause the deal, because he felt it would be better for his family to finish out the season with Chicago. Lee added that he hopes to stay beyond the current season.

The Angels also got bad news before this afternoon's game with Boston when scheduled starter Joel Pineiro was scratched with a strained oblique. He's expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

The Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers did swing a deal with the Tribe sending Jhonny Peralta to the Motor City. In return, Cleveland received minor league pitcher Giovanni Soto. The Tigers have been hurt, literally, by injuries to Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen.

Rumor Mill

The Cardinals are said to be interested Orioles infielder Miguel Tejada. Baltimore also continues to get calls about Ty Wiggington.

The Blue Jays are said to be talking to the Diamondbacks about Kelly Johnson. Current 2nd baseman Aaron Hill is willing to change positions to upgrade the offense.

In addition to Wiggington the Marlins are also checking into Jorge Cantu, as are the Giants. San Fran is also looking into Jose Guillen.

The Blue Jays are said to be asking for a top prospect for reliever Scott Downs. That means they want Jesus Montero from the Yankees. Not happening. The Jays reportedly have already asked for Joba Chamberlain.

The Indians and Phillies are said to be discussing Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook.

The Dodgers have shown an interest in Royals speedster Scott Podsednik.

UPDATE 9:21 p.m. The Dodgers have indeed acquired Scott Podsednik for 2 minor leaguers - Lucas May and Elisaul Pimentel.

Crasnick: Yankees Offer Burnett 5th Year

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick is reporting tonight that the Yankees have added a fifth year to their offer to free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett. Rumor had it earlier in the day the Braves had also added a fifth year, with money totalling $80 million.

Meanwhile Yahoo Sports' Gordon Edes has refuted Jon Heyman's earlier story that Derek Lowe was close to signing with the Bombers. Edes says Lowe isn't close to signing with any team.

Crasnick: Yankees Offer Burnett 5th Year

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick is reporting tonight that the Yankees have added a fifth year to their offer to free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett. Rumor had it earlier in the day the Braves had also added a fifth year, with money totalling $80 million.

Meanwhile Yahoo Sports' Gordon Edes has refuted Jon Heyman's earlier story that Derek Lowe was close to signing with the Bombers. Edes says Lowe isn't close to signing with any team.

Around the Horn - 4/16

Scores

For the first time this season the Tigers have won two straight. The Minnesota Twins were the victims once again as Miguel Cabrera homered for the first time, since opening day, in a 6-5 Tigers win.

The Red Sox beat the Indians in the 9th inning for the second straight game. Jason Varitek smacked the game winning home run in the 5-3 triumph.

The Angels came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Rangers 7-4. Gary Matthews Jr. drove in 3 runs.

The Blue Jays slapped around Steve Trachsel and the Orioles 11-3. Aaron Hill paced the way with a 3-run home run.

Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt combined for 7 RBI in the Mariners 11-6 win over the Royals. The victory moved the M's to within one game of .500, but they lost Erik Bedard to the DL with a bad hip.

Carlos Quentin belted a 3-run HR and John Danks threw 7.2 shutout innings in the White Sox 4-1 win over the A's.

Mike Pelfrey improved to 2-0 as the Mets blanked the Nationals 6-0. David Wright homered and drove in 5 runs. Tragedy struck after the game when a fan lost his footing on an escalator and fell to his death.

Connor Jackson and Chris Young homered in the Diamondbacks 8-2 drubbing of the Giants. Michah Owings improved to 3-0 with the win.

The Phillies rallied for 4 runs in the 9th to beat the Astros 4-3. Shawn Chacon tossed 8 shutout innings, but closer Jose Valverde would retire only one batter in the 9th. Chris Snelling started the comeback with a solo home run. Then Pat Burrell tied the game with a 2-run blast. Finally, Pedro Feliz delivered a walk-off double to complete the comeback.

Scott Olsen went 7 innings in the Marlins 4-0 win over the Braves. The Marlins lead the NL East at 8-5.

Derek Lee and Mark DeRosa homered and drove in 3 each in the Cubs 9-5 win over the Reds. But the Cubs might be without Alfonso Soriano for quite some time. Sori left the game in the 1st inning with a strained calf.

Padres starter Randy Wolf pitched 6.2 no-hit innings before the Rockies Brad Hawpe broke it up with a single to center. The Padres won anyway 6-0, scoring all their runs in the 5th inning.

In the battle of beer towns, the Cardinals beat the Brewers 5-1 as Braden Looper notched his 3rd win. Looper had control troubles, issuing 5 walks in 5 innings, but the Cards bullpen shut down the Brewers the rest of the way.

The Dodgers thumped the Pirates 11-2 behind Jeff Kent's home run and 3 RBI, and the 5 innings of relief work done by Esteban Loaiza.

News

Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter will throw his first live batting practice on Monday as he recovers from off-season elbow surgery.

Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson could be closer to returning he put in a pain-free batting practice.

The Dodgers expect to get Nomar Garciaparra back form the DL on Friday.

Around the Horn - 4/16

Scores

For the first time this season the Tigers have won two straight. The Minnesota Twins were the victims once again as Miguel Cabrera homered for the first time, since opening day, in a 6-5 Tigers win.

The Red Sox beat the Indians in the 9th inning for the second straight game. Jason Varitek smacked the game winning home run in the 5-3 triumph.

The Angels came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Rangers 7-4. Gary Matthews Jr. drove in 3 runs.

The Blue Jays slapped around Steve Trachsel and the Orioles 11-3. Aaron Hill paced the way with a 3-run home run.

Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt combined for 7 RBI in the Mariners 11-6 win over the Royals. The victory moved the M's to within one game of .500, but they lost Erik Bedard to the DL with a bad hip.

Carlos Quentin belted a 3-run HR and John Danks threw 7.2 shutout innings in the White Sox 4-1 win over the A's.

Mike Pelfrey improved to 2-0 as the Mets blanked the Nationals 6-0. David Wright homered and drove in 5 runs. Tragedy struck after the game when a fan lost his footing on an escalator and fell to his death.

Connor Jackson and Chris Young homered in the Diamondbacks 8-2 drubbing of the Giants. Michah Owings improved to 3-0 with the win.

The Phillies rallied for 4 runs in the 9th to beat the Astros 4-3. Shawn Chacon tossed 8 shutout innings, but closer Jose Valverde would retire only one batter in the 9th. Chris Snelling started the comeback with a solo home run. Then Pat Burrell tied the game with a 2-run blast. Finally, Pedro Feliz delivered a walk-off double to complete the comeback.

Scott Olsen went 7 innings in the Marlins 4-0 win over the Braves. The Marlins lead the NL East at 8-5.

Derek Lee and Mark DeRosa homered and drove in 3 each in the Cubs 9-5 win over the Reds. But the Cubs might be without Alfonso Soriano for quite some time. Sori left the game in the 1st inning with a strained calf.

Padres starter Randy Wolf pitched 6.2 no-hit innings before the Rockies Brad Hawpe broke it up with a single to center. The Padres won anyway 6-0, scoring all their runs in the 5th inning.

In the battle of beer towns, the Cardinals beat the Brewers 5-1 as Braden Looper notched his 3rd win. Looper had control troubles, issuing 5 walks in 5 innings, but the Cards bullpen shut down the Brewers the rest of the way.

The Dodgers thumped the Pirates 11-2 behind Jeff Kent's home run and 3 RBI, and the 5 innings of relief work done by Esteban Loaiza.

News

Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter will throw his first live batting practice on Monday as he recovers from off-season elbow surgery.

Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson could be closer to returning he put in a pain-free batting practice.

The Dodgers expect to get Nomar Garciaparra back form the DL on Friday.